Liquid-Cooled Baseplates

- Cool or Heat Work Surface via Internal Liquid Channels (0 to 60 °C)
- Large Areas for Custom Mounting Holes & Threads
- Unanodized Aluminum Construction
WCB12
12" x 12"
Liquid-Cooled
Baseplate
WCB6030/M
300 mm x 600 mm
Liquid-Cooled
Baseplate

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Table 1.2 Common Specifications | ||
---|---|---|
Baseplate Type | Imperial Plates | Metric Plates |
Baseplate Specifications | ||
Material | Unanodized Aluminum Plate | |
Thickness | 0.5" | 12.7 mm |
Flatness | ±0.006" over 1 ft2 |
±0.15 mm over 0.09 m2 |
Threaded Holes | Four 1/4"-20 Located at Corners - Inset 1" |
Four M6 x 1.0 Located at Corners - Inset 25 mm |
Counterbored Holesa | Four 1/4" Located at Corners - Inset 2" |
Four M6 Located at Corners - Inset 50 mm |
Liquid Channel Specifications | ||
Pressure Rating | 80 psi | |
Operating Temperature |
0 °C to 60 °C | |
Push-Fit Pipe Fitting Inner Diameterb |
1/4" | 6 mm |
Compatible Coolantc | CDTX |

Click for Details
Figure 1.1 The underside of each baseplate is engraved with "no drilling" areas around the liquid channels.
Features
- Liquid-Cooled Unanodized Aluminum Baseplates with Drilling Areas
- No-Drilling Areas Marked on Underside to Indicate Liquid Channels (See Figure 1.1)
- Four or Five 1/4" (M6) Counterbores for Mounting to Work Surface (Larger Baseplates Have a Fifth Centrally-Located Counterbore)
- Four 1/4"-20 (M6 x 1.0) Threaded Holes for Attaching Compatible MB Series Aluminum Breadboards
- Plumbed to Accept Liquid Coolant
- Additional Accessories Offered Below:
- Polyurethane Hoses
- In-Line Coupling Accessories
Thorlabs' Liquid-Cooled Baseplates are versions of our liquid-cooled aluminum breadboards that have large untapped areas for custom drilling and mounting applications. These baseplates are plumbed to accept a liquid coolant supply and are ideal for applications involving sensors, detectors, lasers, LEDs, or other apparatuses that may require temperature stabilization. The plates can be used in applications requiring either cooling or heating.
Each baseplate has two fittings that accept tubing with 1/4" (6 mm) outer diameter. These fittings allow for easy connection to a liquid coolant supply such as our LK220 liquid chiller. 16' (5 m) of polyurethane connection tubing is included with each baseplate and can be trimmed to suit the particular application. To do so, simply cut the tubing to the required length, trim the tubing edges flush, insert the tubing into the push-to-fit connectors, and connect the other end to your liquid supply/chiller unit. We offer separate polyurethane hoses with 11/64" inner diameter (ID) and 1/4" outer diameter (OD), or with 1/4" ID and 3/8" OD. Coupling inserts and bodies for both sizes are available for connecting between these hoses, including coupling between the two sizes.
Depending on the environmental temperature and humidity levels and the temperature of the plate, condensation can form on the baseplate surface. Please see Table 1.3 for guidelines on how this can be avoided.
Table 1.3 Operating Temperature and Condensationa | |||
---|---|---|---|
Relative Air Humidity (RH%) |
Tenv - Tplate (ΔT °C) |
Relative Air Humidity (RH%) |
Tenv - Tplate (ΔT °C) |
95% | 1 °C | 55% | 9 - 12 °C |
90% | 2 °C | 50% | 10 - 13 °C |
85% | 2 - 3 °C | 45% | 12 - 14 °C |
80% | 3 - 4 °C | 40% | 13 - 17 °C |
75% | 4 - 5 °C | 35% | 16 - 19 °C |
70% | 5 - 6 °C | 30% | 18 - 21 °C |
65% | 6 - 8 °C | 25% | 21 - 23 °C |
60% | 7 - 9 °C | 20% | 24 - 27 °C |
Each baseplate features four or five counterbored mounting holes for mounting to an optical table or breadboard and four 1/4"-20 (M6 x 1.0) threaded holes for attaching compatible MB series aluminum breadboards. The four threaded holes are located at each corner of the baseplate, inset 1" (25.0 mm) from each edge. The four counterbored mounting holes are located at each corner of the baseplate, inset 2" (50.0 mm) from each edge. The larger baseplates (imperial plates 18" or wider and metric plates 450 mm or wider) have a fifth counterbored mounting hole at their center. Utilizing the center mounting hole increases the number of mounting options available, reduces stress at the corner mounting holes, and increases rigidity when heavy loads are placed on the boards. The mounting holes may be used to attach the baseplates to optical tables, breadboards, mounting posts, brackets, or a variety of other surfaces or mounts.
Other Breadboard Options
Thorlabs offers a variety of breadboards, including damped honeycomb optical breadboards for applications sensitive to vibrations, solid aluminum breadboards with 1" (25 mm) or 1/2" (12.7 mm) hole spacings, high-density optical breadboards compatible with our mini-series optomechanics, and liquid-cooled breadboards. Please see the BB Selection Guide tab for our full range of breadboards.
For other cooled breadboard options, including temperature-controlled mini-series breadboards with internal thermoelectric cooling, see the Cooled BB Selection Guide tab.
Optical Breadboard Enclosures are available to protect sensitive equipment from dust, stray light, acoustic noise, and thermal variations. Enclosures are offered completely sealed or with sliding door access.
Item # | Dimensions (L x W x H) |
Unpackaged | Packaged Shipping | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mass (kg) |
Weight (lbs) |
Mass (kg)a |
Weight (lbs)a |
||
Imperial | |||||
WCB6 | 6" x 6" x 0.5" | 0.7 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 2.7 |
WCB12 | 12" x 12" x 0.5" | 3.0 | 6.6 | 4.3 | 9.4 |
WCB1218 | 12" x 18" x 0.5" | 4.4 | 9.7 | 5.1 | 11.3 |
WCB2412 | 12" x 24" x 0.5" | 6 | 13.2 | 7.3 | 16.0 |
Item # | Dimensions (L x W x H) |
Unpackaged | Packaged Shipping | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mass (kg) |
Weight (lbs) |
Mass (kg)a |
Weight (lbs)a |
||
Metric | |||||
WCB1515/M | 150 mm x 150 mm x 12.7 mm | 0.7 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 2.7 |
WCB3030/M | 300 mm x 300 mm x 12.7 mm | 2.9 | 6.4 | 4.2 | 9.2 |
WCB3045/M | 300 mm x 450 mm x 12.7 mm | 4.3 | 9.5 | 5.0 | 11.0 |
WCB6030/M | 300 mm x 600 mm x 12.7 mm | 5.8 | 12.8 | 7.1 | 15.5 |
Posted Comments: | |
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Breadboards | ![]() Nexus, Optimized Damping |
![]() Intrinsically Damped |
![]() Aluminum Honeycomb |
![]() Stainless Steel |
![]() Solid Aluminum |
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Construction | |||||
Breadboard Thickness |
60 mm (2.4") 110 mm (4.3") |
58 mm (2.28") | 25 mm (0.98") 55 mm (2.2") |
12.7 mm (0.5") | 7.0 mm (0.28") 9.5 mm (0.375") 12.7 mm (0.5") 19.05 mm (0.75") |
Working Surface | 4003 Grade Stainless Steel or 304L Grade Non-Magnetic Steel Top Plate |
4003 Grade Stainless Steel Top Plate |
Aluminum | 416 Grade Stainless Steel | Solid Aluminum Anodized or Unanodized |
Top Skin | 5 mm (0.20") | 5 mm (0.20") | 6 mm (0.24") | N/A | N/A |
Bottom Skin | 5 mm (0.20") | 3 mm (0.12") | 3 mm (0.12") | N/A | N/A |
Core Design | High-Density Plated Steel Honeycomb, 0.26 mm Thick | High-Density Plated Aluminum Honeycomb |
N/A | N/A | |
Side Panels | Rigid Steel Box Section | Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride (uPVC) |
Black Laminated Aluminum Sides |
N/A | N/A |
Ferromagnetism | Magnetic or Non-Magnetic Options | Magnetic | Non-Magnetic | Magnetic | Non-Magnetic |
Sealed Holes | Sealed (25 mm Depth) or Non-Sealed Options |
Non-Sealed | N/A | N/A | |
Thread Options | 1/4"-20 (M6) Tapped Holes | 1/4"-20 (M6) Tapped Holes | 1/4"-20 (M6) Tapped Holes | 4-40 (M3), 8-32 (M4) and 1/4"-20 (M6), or 1/4"-20 (M6) Tapped Holes |
|
Spacing | 1" (25 mm) Centers | 1" (25 mm) Centers | 1" (25 mm) Centers | 0.4" (10 mm) Centers, 0.5" (12.5 mm) Centers, or 1" (25 mm) Centers |
|
Distance from Edge to First Holes |
0.5" (12.5 mm) on all Sides | 0.5" (12.5 mm) or 1.0" (25 mm) on all Sides |
0.5" (12.5 mm) on all Sides | 0.4" (10 mm) on all Sides or 0.5" (12.5 mm) on all Sides |
|
Performancea | |||||
Damping | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
N/A | N/A |
Stiffness | ![]() 60 mm (2.4") Thick |
![]() 58 mm (2.28") Thick |
![]() 25 mm (0.98") Thick |
![]() 12.7 mm (0.5") Thick |
![]() 7.0 mm (0.28") Thick |
![]() 110 mm (4.3") Thick |
![]() 55 mm (2.2") Thick |
![]() 19.05 mm (0.75") Thick |
Optical Breadboard Selection Guides
Table 10A and Table 10B list every size offered for our honeycomb, solid aluminum, and acrylic breadboards. Simply locate the specific width and length needed and then select the type of breadboard. Expand each table by clicking the More [+] button within the header.
Thorlabs also offers several unique breadboard solutions. For applications requiring temperature control, we offer aluminum liquid-cooled breadboards and baseplates in several sizes, in addition to a temperature-controlled mini-series breadboard for small-scale applications. Our anodized aluminum large-area translation stages and rotating breadboards offer hand-operated positioning control, while our manual and motorized translating mounting platforms are ideal for use in microscopy applications.
Table 10A Imperial Optical Breadboard Size Options | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Width | Length | Honeycomb | Stainless Steel | Solid Aluminuma | ||||||
Nexus (60 mm Thick)b |
Nexus (110 mm Thick)b |
Intrinsically Damped (58 mm Thick) |
Aluminum (25 mm Thick) |
Aluminum (55 mm Thick) |
Standard | Double Density | High Density |
Table 10B Metric Optical Breadboard Size Options | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Width | Length | Honeycomb | Stainless Steel | Solid Aluminuma | ||||||
Nexus (60 mm Thick)b |
Nexus (110 mm Thick)b |
Intrinsically Damped (58 mm Thick) |
Aluminum (25 mm Thick) |
Aluminum (55 mm Thick) |
Standard | Double Density | High Density |
50 mm | 75 mm | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | MSB5075/M |
75 mm | 100 mm | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | MSB7510/M |
75 mm | 150 mm | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | MSB7515/M |
100 mm | 100 mm | - | - | - | - | - | MB10S/M | - | - | - |
100 mm | 150 mm | - | - | - | - | - | MB1015S/M | MB1015/M MB1015U/M |
M45B1015/Mc | MSB1015/M |
100 mm | 300 mm | - | - | - | - | - | - | MB1030/M | - | - |
100 mm | 600 mm | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | MB1060/M | - |
100 mm | 900 mm | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | MB1090/M | - |
Ø149 mm | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | MBR150U/M | - | |
Ø150 mm | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | MBR150/M | - | |
150 mm | 150 mm | - | - | - | - | - | MB15S/M | MB1515/M MB1515U/M |
M45B1515/Mc | MBY1515/M MSB15/M |
150 mm | 300 mm | - | - | - | - | - | - | MB1530F/M | MB1530/M M45B1530/Mc |
- |
150 mm | 450 mm | - | - | - | - | - | - | MB1545/M | - | - |
150 mm | 600 mm | - | - | - | - | - | - | MB1560/M | - | - |
150 mm | 900 mm | - | - | - | - | - | - | MB1590/M | - | - |
150 mm | 1200 mm | - | - | - | - | - | - | MB15120/M | - | - |
180 mm | 230 mm | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | MSB1823/M MSBU1823/M |
200 mm | 200 mm | - | - | - | - | - | - | MB2020/M MB2020U/M |
- | - |
200 mm | 250 mm | - | - | - | - | - | - | MB2025/M | - | - |
200 mm | 600 mm | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | MB2060/M | - |
200 mm | 900 mm | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | MB2090/M | - |
250 mm | 300 mm | - | - | - | - | - | - | MB2530/M MB2530U/M |
- | - |
Ø300 mm | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | MBR300/M MBR300U/M |
- | |
300 mm | 300 mm | B3030Ad B3030Ld |
- | - | PBG3030Ae | - | - | MB3030/M MB3030U/M |
MB3030D/M | MBY3030/M MSB30/M MS12B/M |
300 mm | 450 mm | B3045Ad B3045Ld |
- | B3045AX | PBG3045Ae | - | - | MB3045/M MB3045A/Mf MB3045U/M |
- | MBY3045/M MSB3045/M |
300 mm | 600 mm | B3060Ad B3060L |
- | B3060AXd | PBG3060A | PBG52502d | - | MB3060/M MB3060U/M |
- | - |
300 mm | 900 mm | B3090Ad B3090Ld |
- | - | PBG3090Ae | PBG52503d | - | MB3090/M | - | - |
300 mm | 1200 mm | - | - | - | - | - | - | MB30120/M | - | - |
350 mm | 1150 mm | - | - | - | - | - | - | MB35115/M | - | - |
350 mm | 1425 mm | - | - | - | - | - | - | MB35142/M | - | - |
450 mm | 450 mm | B4545Ad B4545Ld |
- | - | PBG4545A | - | - | MB4545/M | - | - |
450 mm | 600 mm | B4560Ad B4560Ld |
- | B4560AXd | PBG4560Ae | PBG52522d | - | MB4560/M MB4560A/Mf MB4560U/M |
- | - |
450 mm | 750 mm | - | - | - | - | - | - | MB4575/M | - | - |
450 mm | 900 mm | - | - | - | - | - | - | MB4590/M | - | - |
600 mm | 600 mm | B6060Ad B6060L |
- | B6060AXd | PBG6060Ae | PBG52505d | - | MB6060/M | - | |
600 mm | 900 mm | B6090A B6090L B6090ANd B6090Z |
B6090Bd B6090Nd |
B6090AX | PBG6090Ae | PBG52506d | - | MB6090/M | - | - |
600 mm | 1200 mm | B60120A B60120L |
B60120Bd B60120Nd |
B60120AX | PBG60120Ae | - | - | MB60120/M | - | - |
600 mm | 1500 mm | - | B60150Bd B60150Nd |
- | - | PBG52508d | - | - | - | - |
750 mm | 750 mm | B7575A B7575L |
- | - | - | - | - | MB7575/M | - | - |
750 mm | 900 mm | B7590A B7590L B7590ANd B7590Z |
B7590Bd B7590Nd |
B7590AX | PBG7590Ae | PBG52510d | - | - | - | - |
750 mm | 1200 mm | B75120A B75120L B75120ANd B75120Z |
B75120B B75120Nd |
B75120AX | PBG75120Ae | PBG52511 | - | - | - | - |
750 mm | 1500 mm | - | B75150B B75150N |
B75150AX | - | - | - | - | - | - |
900 mm | 900 mm | B9090A B9090L |
B9090Bd B9090Nd |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - |
900 mm | 1200 mm | B90120A B90120L B90120AN B90120Z |
B90120B B90120N |
B90120AX | PBG90120Ae | PBG52513 | - | - | - | - |
900 mm | 1500 mm | - | B90150B B90150N |
B90150AX | - | PBG52514 | - | - | - | - |
900 mm | 1800 mm | - | B90180B B90180N |
B90180AX | - | - | - | - | - | - |
1200 mm | 1500 mm | - | B120150Bd B120150Nd |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - |
1200 mm | 1800 mm | - | B120180B B120180Nd |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Cooled Breadboard Selection Guide | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Liquid-Cooled Breadboards | Liquid-Cooled Baseplates | Liquid-Cooled Cold Plates | Temperature-Controlled Mini-Series Breadboard |
|
Representative Photos (Click to Enlarge) |
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Tapped Holes | 1/4"-20 (Imperial) M6 (Metric) |
1/4"-20 (Imperial) M6 (Metric) |
1/4"-20, 8-32, 6-32, and 4-40 (Imperial) M6, M4, and 4-40 (Metric) |
1/4"-20 and 8-32 (Imperial) M6 and M4 (Metric) |
Available Sizes (L x W) |
12" x 12" to 18" x 24" (Imperial) 300 mm x 300 mm to 450 mm x 600 mm (Metric) |
6" x 6" to 12" x 24" (Imperial) 150 mm x 150 mm to 300 mm x 600 mm (Metric) |
2" x 2" or 4" x 6" (Imperial) 50.8 mm x 50.8 mm or 101.6 mm x 152.4 mm (Metric) |
4" x 5" x 2.46" (Imperial) 101.6 x 127.0 (Metric) |
Height | 1/2" (12.7 mm) | 1/2" (12.7 mm) | 0.87" (22 mm) | 2.46" (62.5 mm) |
Cooling | External Water or CDTX Coolant | CDTX Coolanta | External Water or CDTX Coolant | Internal Thermoelectric Cooler with Temperature Settable from 5 °C to 45 °C |
Operating Temperature Range |
0 °C to 60 °C | 0 °C to 60 °C | -15 °C to 60 °C | 0 °C to 45 °C |
Temperature Readout | None | None | TH10K Thermistor Readout via 2.5 mm Stereo Jack |
Automatic Temperature Control with TH10K Thermistor Readout to Software GUI Via USB |
Mounting Options | 1/4" or 6 mm Counterbored Through Holes |
1/4" or 6 mm Counterbored Through Holes |
Threaded Mounting Holes for Posts on Bottom and Sides, and Side Slots for Clamping to Table |
Threaded Mounting Holes for Posts on Bottom and Sides, and Rubber Feet on Bottom |


Click to Enlarge
Figure G.1 WCB3030/M Baseplate
- Baseplate Sizing: Length x Width x Thickness
- No-Drilling Areas Marked on Underside to Indicated Liquid Channels
- Boards Less than 18" (450 mm) Wide Feature Four Counterbored Mounting Holes
- Boards 18" (450 mm) or Wider Feature Five Counterbored Mounting Holes
- Four 1/4"-20 (M6 x 1.0) Threaded Holes at Corners for Attaching Compatible MB Series Aluminum Breadboards

- 5 m Long Polyurethane Hoses
- Two Hose Sizes Available:
- 1/4" Outer Diameter and 11/64" Inner Diameter
- 3/8" Outer Diameter and 1/4" Inner Diameter
These 5 m Long Polyurethane (PU) Hoses can withstand up to 120 psi of pressure and can be used in temperatures from -15 to 60 °C. The hoses can be trimmed to suit any application. To do so, simply cut the tubing to the required length, trim the tubing edges flush, insert the tubing into the connectors, and connect the other end to your coolant supply/chiller unit. These hoses are intended to be used alongside the in-line coupling accessories sold below. The inserts and bodies sold below can be used to convert from 1/4" ID to 11/64" ID. Note that our HPU6 hose with 1/4" (6.35 mm) OD is compatible with both 1/4" and 6 mm ID push-fit pipe fittings.
These hoses allow for easy connection to a water or coolant supply. Both hoses are compatible with our Liquid-Cooled Cold Plates. The HPU9 1/4" ID hose can directly connect to the liquid-cooled plates, while the fittings sold below can be used to adapt to the HPU6 11/64" ID hose. The HPU6 polyurethane hose is also directly compatible with our Liquid-Cooled Breadboards, Liquid-Cooled Baseplates, and Liquid-Cooled HHL Laser Mount.


Click to Enlarge
Figure 740B QVM6 with Nut Detached

Click to Enlarge
Figure 740A QVF6 with Nut Detached
- RoHS Compliant Materials:
- Natural White Acetal
- Stainless Steel Valve Spring
- Barrel Nickel Plated Brass Nut
- BUNA-N Seals
These Valved In-Line Coupling Inserts and Bodies can withstand pressures up to 120 psi, in temperatures from -40 to 82 °C (-40 to 180 °F). The inserts have male connection ports, while the bodies have female connectors with a self-lock structure for secure connection. Inserts and bodies are intended to be used in pairs, as any coupling insert can mate with any coupling body. The QVF6 coupling body and QVM6 coupling insert can support HPU6 tubing with a 11/64" inner diameter (ID) and 1/4" outer diameter (OD), while the QVF9 coupling insert and QVM9 coupling body can support HPU9 tubing with a 1/4" ID and 3/8" OD.
These coupling accessories are directly compatible with our Liquid-Cooled Cold Plates. Additionally, they can be used with the LK220 Liquid Chiller, Spatial Light Modulators, or our Liquid-Cooled HHL Laser Mount, which all come with compatible CPC® valved quick-connect coupling inserts.