Products Home / Optomechanical Components / Optical Rails / 3" Dovetail Rails / Quick-Connect Rail Platforms for 3" Rails and StagesQuick-Connect Rail Platforms for 3" Rails and Stages
- Contains Array of Tapped Holes, Counterbored Holes, or Slot
- Quickly Build Subassemblies for XR Rails
- Provides Coarse Translation Along Rail or Stage
XR25-RC1
XR25-RC2
XR25-RC3
XR25-RP1
XR25-R1
Application Idea
Rail carriers can quickly attach post assemblies to dovetailed components.
XR25-RC4
Please Wait
Click to Enlarge
An XR25-RC4 Rail Carrier being used to mount a HCS013 Keyway Accessory on a XR50P Stage.
Features
- Inner Dovetail Compatible with 3" Mating Dovetail Stages
- Included Dovetail Clamp Screw has a Maximum Torque of 15 in•lbs
- Mount Subassemblies to Rails Without Access to Ends
- Slides Along Rail Side Prior to Lockdown
- Variety of Form Factors Available
- Rail Carriers: Removable Plates with Additional Mounting Options
- Rail Plate: Deck Height Matches XR25 and XR50 Series Stages
- Rotation Adapter: Coarse Rotation Between Components
- Quickly Connect Stages and Accessories Using 3" Dovetails
- See the Quick-Connect Stages Tab for Complete Line of Components
Thorlabs XR Rail Platforms are designed to mount components to our XR Series 3" dovetail rails. Once attached, these platforms enable optomechanical components to slide to any position along the length of a rail, or to attach to any other component with an XR dovetail. The surfaces of these platforms are machined from cast tool and jig aluminum for minimal internal stress and improved stability. Their dovetail clamp screw makes them easy to place into any existing rail system without requiring access to the rail ends. These rail platforms are provided in three varieties: rail carriers, rail plates, and a rotation adapter.
Rail carriers feature a mating female dovetail on the bottom of the plate and a combination of mounting taps, counterbores, keyway grooves, or slots on their exterior faces. The XR25-RP1(/M) rail plate provides many of the same benefits as our rail carriers–a mating female dovetail on the bottom of the plate and mounting taps on the top–with a larger mounting surface and a deck height shared with all XR linear and rotation stages. The XR25-R1(/M) rotation adapter is made up of a specialized rail carrier and a rotating platform that together share the deck height of the XR stages and rail plate. The XR25-R1(/M) provides coarse rotational adjustment of its top plate. This top plate can be removed to reveal a Ø1/2" bore and flexure clamp, which can be purchased separately as the XR25-RB(/M).
Additional functionality is provided by a complete line of accessories that include multi-axis assembly kits, rail carriers, a rotation adapter, rails, and micrometer conversion kits. An adapter plate is also available for mounting these compact 25 mm stages with an integrated 2" dovetail onto 25 mm and 50 mm stages with a 3" dovetail. For more information about our dovetail rail construction components, please see the Quick-Connect Stages tab.
| Posted Comments: | |
| No Comments Posted |
Build Multi-Axis Configurations
Click for Details
Z-axis assembly kits allow stages to be mounted in vertical orientations.
Quick-Connect Dovetails
Click to Enlarge
The female dovetails on the bottom of one stage mate with the male dovetails on another.
XR & XRN Dovetail Stages and Accessories
Our XR series manual stages feature quick-connect dovetails that allow for the construction of multi-axis systems without the need for additional hardware. The common dovetail feature with a single locking clamp makes it quick and simple to swap parts in and out while preserving excellent orthogonality.
Our selection of products with a quick-connect dovetail includes:
- Linear Translation Stages:
- Stackable 1-Axis Stages
- Pre-Assembled 2- and 3-Axis Configurations
- Rotational Stages:
- 360° Flat Rotation
- Tip/Tilt Goniometers
- Adapters:
- Z-Axis Assembly Kits
- Parallel and Perpendicular Mounting between 2" and 3" Dovetails
- Rail Accessories:
- Stationary Mounting Platforms
- Rail Component Positioners
- Base Plates and Rails
Most items are available in compact (2" dovetail) and full-size (3" dovetail) varieties. Adapters are available to interface between the two sizes. See the tables below for all available options.
| Linear Translation Stages | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Click Photo to Enlarge |  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Items | Compact 25 mm Stages | Compact 9 mm Vertical Stage | Full-Size 25 mm Stages | Full-Size 50 mm Stages | 14 mm Vertical Stage |
| Motion | X, Y, Z, XY, XZ, YZ, XYZ | Z (Vertical) | X, Y, Z, XY, XZ, YZ, XYZ | X, Y, Z, XY, XZ, YZ, XYZ | Z (Vertical) |
| Quick-Connect Dovetail | 2" Dovetail | 3" Dovetail | |||
| Additional Features |  |
|
|
|
|
| Rotation and Goniometric Stages | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Click Photo to Enlarge |  |
 |
 |
| Items | Compact Rotation Stage | Compact Goniometric Stages | Full-Size Rotation Stage |
| Motion | 360° Rotation | ±8° Tip/Tilt About Fixed Point Above Stage | 360° Rotation |
| Quick-Connect Dovetail | 2" Dovetail | 3" Dovetail | |
| Additional Features | |
|
|
| Stage Adapters | ||
|---|---|---|
| Z-Axis Assembly Kits |  |
 |
| Compact Z-Axis Assembly Kits, 2" Dovetails |
Full-Size Z-Axis Assembly Kits, 3" Dovetails |
|
| Parallel Mounting Adapters |
 |
 |
| Parallel Mounting Adapter, Male 2" Dovetail to Female 3" Dovetail |
Parallel Mounting Adapter, Male 3" Dovetail to Female 3" Dovetail |
|
| Perpendicular Mounting Adapter |
 |
|
| Perpendicular Mounting Adapter Male 2" Dovetail to Female 3" Dovetail | ||
| Dovetail Accessories | ||
|---|---|---|
| Mounting Platforms |  |
 |
| 2" Mounting Platforms | 3" Mounting Platforms | |
| Rail Positioners |  |
 |
| 2" Rail Positioners | 3" Rail Positioners | |
| Dovetail Bases | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Plates |  |
 |
|
| 2" Dovetail Base Plate | 3" Dovetail Base Plate with Rotational Adjustment | ||
| Rails / Extended Bases |
 |
 |
|
| 2" Dovetail Rails | 3" Dovetail Rails | ||
Click to Enlarge
An XR25-RC1 being used to mount a scientific camera on a 3-axis stage.
Click to Enlarge
An XR25-RC3 carrier being used to affix and retain the position of an XR25-RC1 rail carrier mounted on an XR50P stage.
- Each Provides Additional Coarse Translation and Mounting Features
- XR25-RC1, XR25-RC2, and XR25-RC4 Include Integrated Steel Pads for use with the XR25-RC3 Hard Stop
- XR25-RC3 Includes Integrated Steel Balls for use as a Hard Stop
- XR25-RC4 Includes Two Perpendicular 3 mm Alignment Grooves for Keyway Accessories
- Compatible with 3" Mating Dovetail Stages
- Included Dovetail Clamp Screw has a Maximum Torque of 15 in•lbs
Thorlabs offers four rail carriers that are directly compatible with our XR25 and XR50 series stages, providing coarse translation in addition to the fine translation supplied by the stage's micrometer, as well as expanding the stages' threading options for optomechanical assemblies. The XR25-RC4 carrier contains two perpendicular 3 mm grooves for compatibility with our keyway accessories. These accessories can be secured via AMA010(/M) cleats in 6-32 (M3) taps. Four 4-40 Taps in 30 mm and 60 mm spacing also enable cage compatibility on the XR25-RC4 carrier. Additionally, twelve 6-32 (M4) taps can be used to secure our clamping arms. For more information on hole patterns, see the diagrams below.
A female dovetail allows each rail carrier to slide onto an XR25 or XR50 series stage and connect to the stage's male dovetail. The position of the carrier can then be locked into place using a clamping mechanism (3/16" [5 mm] hex) located on one end of the carrier. This simple procedure allows the user to seamlessly swap and install different carriers on a stage in a matter of seconds.
| Item # | XR25-RC1 | XR25-RC2 | XR25-RC4 | XR25-RC3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Click Image to Enlarge |  |
 |
 |
 |
| Mounting Features | 1/4" (M6) Counterbores (x8) 1/4"-20 (M6 x 1.0) Taps (x9) 8-32 (M4 x 0.7) Taps (x7) |
#8 (M4) Counterbores (x8) 8-32 (M4 x 0.7) Taps (x16) |
4-40 Taps in 30 mm Spacing (4x) 4-40 Taps in 60 mm Spacing (4x) 6-32 (M3) Taps (29x) 6-32 (M4) Taps (12x) 8-32 (M4) Taps (4x) 3 mm Alignment Groove (2x) |
1/4" (M6) Counterbored Slot (1x) 8-32 (M4 x 0.7) Taps (2x) |
| Hole Pattern |  |
 |
 |
 |
| Additional Features | Steel Contact Pads for Use with XR25-RC3 Carrier | Steel Contact Pads for Use with XR25-RC3 Carrier 6-32 (M4) Corner Taps for Clamping Arms |
Hardened Steel Balls for Use as Hard Stop | |
Zoom
Click for Details
Height and Dovetail of XR25-RP1(/M) Matches XR25 Series Stages
- Same Height and Width Dimensions as XR25 and XR50 Series Stages
- Nineteen 1/4"-20 (M6) Holes for Mounting, 0.30" (7.6 mm) Deep
- Compatible with 3" Mating Dovetail
The XR25-RP1(/M) rail plate enables components to be mounted at the same deck height as the XR25 series, XR50 series, and XRR1 stages. The matching deck heights allow for transitioning between rail plates and stages without adjusting the Z-axis of the mounted components. The top of the XR25-RP1(/M) plate features nineteen 1/4"-20 (M6) tapped blind holes that are 0.30" (7.6 mm) deep. This rail plate's included dovetail clamp screw secures the plate to a 3" dovetail rail and has a maximum torque of 15 in•lbs. Additionally, the 1/4"-20 (M6) counterbore slots located on the sides of the plates allow direct mounting to an optical table or breadboard.
Zoom
Click to Enlarge
Two XR25P Stages rotated at an arbitrary angle using the XR25-R1 Rotation Adapter.
Click for Details
Side Located Locking Screws for Clamping Adapter (left) and Locking Rotation (right)
- 360° Coarse Rotation Adjustment
- Top Plate with 1/4"-20 (M6 x 1.0) and 8-32 (M4 x 0.7) Tapped Holes
- Base Plate Provides Ø1" Flexure Clamp
- Purchase Complete Adapter or Separate Base Plate
- Compatible with 3" Mating Dovetail Stages
- Included Dovetail Clamp Screw has a Maximum Torque of 15 in•lbs
The XR25-R1(/M) Rotation Adapter allows users to mount any two 3" dovetail components together on a rotational axis perpendicular to their mounting surfaces. This allows a full 360° range of coarse rotation. The removable top plate features thirteen 1/4"-20 (M6 x 1.0) and twelve 8-32 (M4 x 0.7) tapped holes in addition to the 3" male dovetails on all edges. Rotation is achieved by loosening the right-most locking screw on the base plate (also sold separately as the
If the XR25-R1 is used to mount a stage vertically, that stage should not be rotated where the spring tension is working against gravity. Rotation in this configuration should be limited to 180°. In addition, note that the XR25-R1 is a two-piece solution where the top plate is not permanently retained in the base, and therefore care should be taken when loosening the rotation locking screw in a vertical orientation.
The XR25-RB(/M) Adapter Base Plate can be purchased separately. Utilizing its flexure clamp for 1" (25.0 mm) outer diameter components, like our Ø1" Optical Posts or our Ø1/2" Post Holders, allows the rotation adapter base plate to double as a rail carrier, as seen in the image to above. Here, the coarse height of the KS1 mirror mount can be adjusted with the PH2 post holder, while the coarse rotation can be independently adjusted in the rail carrier. This base plate also includes three 8-32 mounting holes on the face opposite the adjustment screws and integrated steel pads on its sides for use with the XR25-RC3 hard stop.
Zoom- XRN-A1 Adapter Enables Perpendicular Mounting of 2" Dovetail Components onto 3" Dovetail Components
- XRN-A2 Adapter Enables Parallel Mounting of 2" Dovetail Components onto 3" Dovetail Components
- XR25-A2 Adapter Enables Parallel Mounting of 3" Dovetail Components
- Adapters Add 0.275" (7.0 mm) to the Overall Stacked Height of Components
These adapters provide additional mounting options for our quick-connect, crossed-roller bearing stages, as illustrated in the photos below. The XRN-A1 adapter enables perpendicular mounting of components with a female 2" dovetail to components with a male 3" dovetail while the XRN-A2 adapter enables parallel mounting of the same. The XR25-A2 adapter enables parallel mounting of two components with 3" dovetails. The mounting configuration in the second photo below allows translation along a rail to be parallel to the direction of translation of a mounted stage.
To assemble, first loosen the dovetail locking screw on the end of the top stage or accessory. Position the adapter on the bottom stage or rail, as illustrated in the photos below, then align the top component on the adapter. Lastly, tighten the dovetail locking screw (maximum torque: 15 in•lbs) on the end of the top component until the entire assembly is secure. Please note that the deep-set screws in the sides of the adapter are not user adjustable.
| Mounting Adapter Compatibility | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Item # | Orientation | Top Component | Bottom Component |
| XRN-A1 | Perpendicular | XRN25 Series XRNV1 Series XRNR1 Series XRNG1 Series |
XR25 Series XR50 Series XRV1 Series XRR1 Series |
| XRN-A2 | Parallel | ||
| XR25-A2 | Parallel | XR25 Series XR50 Series XRV1 Series XRR1 Series |
|
3" Mounting Platforms