Products Home / Optomechanical Components / Optical Rails / Dovetail Optical Rails / Dovetail Rail CarriersDovetail Rail Carriers
- Mount Components on Dovetail Rails
- Perpendicular Dovetail Carrier Allows Transverse Adjustments
RC3
90° Cross-Coupler
RC1
1/4" (M6) Counterbore
RC2
1/4" (M6) Counterbore
8-32 (M4) Taps
Application Idea
1.00"
(25.4 mm)
2.00"
(50.8 mm)
A KMS Kinematic Mount with Mirror Attached to an RC4 Rail Carrier on an RLA Optical Rail
RC4
#8 (M4) Counterbore
0.60"
(15.2 mm)
Please Wait
| RLA Dovetail Rail Accessories | ||||
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| Rails | Rail Carriers | Rail Carrier Positioners |
Mounting | Cage Mounting |
Features
- Rail Carriers Mount Components to Dovetail Rails
- Thumbscrew Clamp with Rounded, Spring-Loaded Plastic Tip
- 8-32 (M4) and 1/4"-20 (M6) Compatible Options
Thorlabs' Dovetail Optical Rail Carriers are designed to mount components to our RLA Dovetail Optical Rails. Once attached, these rail carriers enable one-dimensional movement of optomechanics at any position along the length of the rail. They are precision machined on all surfaces in order to maintain good lateral alignment while being translated, and can be easily placed into any existing rail system without requiring access to the rail ends.
These rail carriers are provided in four varieties. The RC4 is a compact 0.60" long rail carrier platform that features a #8 (M4) counterbore for mounting lightweight optomechanical components. The RC1 is 1" long and features a 1/4" (M6) counterbored hole. The RC2(/M) is 2" long to accommodate larger components and provides two 8-32 (M4) tapped holes and a 1/4" (M6) counterbored hole. The RC2(/M) also comes with an SD1 adapter ring, which allows a #8 (M4) cap screw to be used within the 1/4" (M6) counterbored holes. The RC3 provides a dovetail perpendicular to that of the RLA rail it is mounted on, allowing an RC1, RC2, or RC4 to be attached on top to provide coarse transverse adjustments.
| Posted Comments: | |
Kevin O'Malley
(posted 2024-09-03 14:42:02.49) Greetings!
The RC1/2 + RLA system is convenient and versatile, and a good fit for our instrument. However, there is one manufacturing suggestion we have based on our experience with the part: add thread locker to the plunger spring set screw.
After multiple cycles of the tightening and loosening the spring-loaded thumb screw, the plunger head, when bound against the RLA surface as designed, created enough torsional force to slowly back the set screw out, turning it into a very-hard-to-find-on-the-lab-floor projectile. A small dab of thread locker would probably solve this issue.
Sincerely,
Kevin M. O'Malley
Senior Research Scientist
NLM Photonics, Seattle, WA jdelia
(posted 2024-09-09 02:24:21.0) Thank you for contacting Thorlabs and for providing this feedback, as we are always looking to improve our product line. We could certainly forward this over to our design engineers via our internal suggestion forum. I have also reached out to you directly to discuss your application. Ekaterina Musikhina
(posted 2024-05-21 16:38:53.57) Hello! What is the thread on the setscrew on the spring-loaded thumbscrew of the RC1 rail carrier? I've got several setscrewes jumped out from the thumbscrew recently and they all have chosen to disappear in depths of our optical table.
And is it possible to purchase these thumbscrewes for RC1 carrier separately then? cdolbashian
(posted 2024-05-24 03:04:33.0) Thank you for reaching out to us with this inquiry. The setscrews within those adjusters are 6-40 x 1/8" setscrews. I have contacted you directly in order to assist you in acquiring more of these. Hossein Goudarzi
(posted 2022-12-15 18:18:03.63) RC4 + RLA150/M
what's the straightness during movement?
before and after locking the knob, how much dislocation or lateral movement will occur! jdelia
(posted 2022-12-16 03:35:17.0) Thank you for contacting Thorlabs. We unfortunately have not tested this, but I have contacted you directly to discuss your application and if these parts will satisfy it. P. Kucirek
(posted 2022-05-09 08:39:30.927) Hi,
could you supply a custom version of RC4 without the mounting hole?
Best regards jdelia
(posted 2022-05-13 03:26:13.0) Thank you for contacting Thorlabs. We have contacted you directly to discuss the feasibility of your custom request, as well as provide some suggestions for stock alternatives depending on your application. Aquiles Carattino
(posted 2022-03-08 10:01:51.9) If the dovetail carriers would have a threaded hole, they would very easily support non threaded mirror mounts, such as the 1" Polaris. cdolbashian
(posted 2022-03-15 10:51:31.0) Thank you for contacting us with this request Aquiles. This is excellent feedback because we take these types of stock-item requests seriously. Using our internal product development forum, I have suggested this type of modification on your behalf. I have also reached out to you directly to discuss your specific application, and potential workarounds therein. Ico Thieme
(posted 2020-10-23 06:10:54.363) Suggestion: why don't you make a 90-degree carrier, similar to RC3, to connect 2 dovetail rails in an orthogonal way?
;-) YLohia
(posted 2020-10-26 04:50:23.0) Hello, thank you for your feedback. We will consider adding such an item to our catalog in the future. Chinmay Phadnis
(posted 2019-09-27 20:47:39.293) I am wondering if I can use these rail carriers with XT34SD series carriers. Please suggest alternative carriers if these rail carriers are not compatible. Thanks YLohia
(posted 2019-09-30 10:23:52.0) Hello, thank you for contacting Thorlabs. Unfortunately, these rail carriers are incompatible with the XT34SD. You would have to use the XT34HP or the XT34C2 with the XT34D2-30 instead. Saurabh Raj
(posted 2019-07-22 16:16:42.56) Can you please suggest a kinematic lens mount for 25mm lens that can fit on Dovetail rail carriers in vertical position? YLohia
(posted 2019-07-23 09:50:59.0) Hello, the KM100T can be used with the RC4 to mount a 25mm lens with kinematic adjustment capabilities. tmorgus
(posted 2015-09-08 19:32:35.257) The RC3 isn't specifically designed for the XE25 rail system so it would probably be best if you talked to an application engineer so that they could understand all the elements of your plan. I typically use the XT34 rail system (http://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=855) when building 2D or 3D load bearing structures that need rail carriers. Tyler, Optomechanics Business Unit user
(posted 2015-09-08 18:13:03.27) Hi there,
I am wondering what weight can RC3 carry without problem.
Here is what I am going to do, use 4 XE25 rail vertically, and 4 RC3 on each rail, then these 4 RC3 carries two XE25 rails horizontally, then some weight on the two horizontal rails. Can it support 10kg? |
Zoom- 0.60" x 1.00" (15.2 mm x 25.4 mm) Carrier Platform
- #8 (M4) Counterbored Hole for Mounting
The RC4 Rail Carrier is designed to mount optomechanical components on an RLA dovetail rail using a #8 (M4) counterbore. The carrier can be placed onto the rail anywhere along its length without requiring access to the rail ends. The spring-loaded plunger built into the locking thumbscrew provides wobble-free translation as the carrier slides along the rail.
Zoom
Rail Carrier Cross Section with SD1 Counterbore Adapter Ring
(Not Included)
- 1.00" x 1.00" (25.4 mm x 25.4 mm) Carrier Platform
- 1/4" (M6) Counterbored Hole for Mounting
The RC1 Rail Carrier is designed to mount optomechanical components on an RLA dovetail rail using a 1/4" (M6) counterbore. It can also mount 8-32 (M4) tapped components when used with the SD1 counterbore adapter ring (not included). The carrier can be placed onto the rail anywhere along its length without requiring access to the rail ends. The spring-loaded plunger built into the locking thumbscrew provides wobble-free translation as the carrier slides along the rail.
Zoom
Rail Carrier Cross Section with Included SD1 Counterbore Adapter Ring
- Large 2.00" x 1.00" (51 mm x 25 mm) Carrier Platform
- 1/4" (M6) Counterbored Hole and Two 8-32 (M4) Tapped Holes for Mounting
- SD1 Counterbore Adapter Ring Included
The RC2(/M) Rail Carrier is designed to mount optomechanical components on an RLA dovetail rail using a 1/4" (M6) counterbore and two 8-32 (M4) tapped holes. An SD1 counterbore adapter ring is included for mounting 8-32 (M4) tapped components in the 1/4" (M6) counterbored hole. The carrier can be placed onto the rail anywhere along its length without requiring access to the rail ends. The spring-loaded plunger built into the locking thumbscrew provides wobble-free translation as the carrier slides along the rail.
Zoom
Click to Enlarge
RC3 and RC1 Rail Carriers Attached to an RLA0600 Optical Rail- 1.25" (31.8 mm) Long Dovetail Perpendicular to Rail
- Allows Coarse Transverse Adjustments
The RC3 Perpendicular Dovetail Rail Carrier provides a 1.25" (31.8 mm) dovetail surface perpendicular to the RLA dovetail rail on which it is clamped. This allows for transverse translation of an RC1, RC2, or RC4 rail carrier (sold above) in the direction perpendicular to the RLA rail.
 Dovetail Rail Carriers |