Products Home / Optomechanical Components / Optical Post Assemblies / Ø1" Optical Post Assemblies / Ø1" (Ø25.0 mm) Pedestal Pillar PostsØ1" (Ø25.0 mm) Pedestal Pillar Posts
- Solid Stainless Steel Construction
- 8-32 (M4) or 1/4"-20 (M6) Taps on Both Ends of Posts
8-32 (M4) Tapped Holes
On Both Ends
RS4P8E
RS2P8E
RS05P8E
RS3P
RS1.5P
RS1P
CF125
Steel
Clamping
Forks
1/4"-20 (M6) Tapped Holes
On Both Ends
RS1LM
Peelable Shims
Post Spacers
Clearance Hole or Threaded Bore
RS016
RS7M
RS039
RS01M
Please Wait
Features
- Post Lengths from 0.5" (12.5 mm) to 6" (155 mm)
- Stackable via 8-32 (M4) or 1/4"-20 (M6) Taps
- Extend Height with our Ø1" Extension Posts
- Pedestal Base for Clamping Fork Compatibility
- Solid Stainless Steel, Precision Ground to Ø1" (Ø25.0 mm)
- Post Spacers with a Clearance Hole or Threaded Bore for our Ø1" Posts
These one-piece non-magnetic stainless steel Pedestal Posts provide unparalleled strength and rigidity. We offer versions with 8-32 (M4) or 1/4"-20 (M6) taps on both ends. A wide relief cut around each tap offers stable fastening to our optical mounts and optical tables. Pedestal posts are available in a variety of heights from 0.5" (12.5 mm) to 6" (155 mm). Additional heights can be achieved through the use of post spacers, available below individually or as part of a kit, or our Ø1" Extension Posts.
The pedestal base is compatible with our solid steel Clamping Forks (see below), providing a high degree of flexibility when securing post assemblies to an optical table. If space is an issue, our CL8, CF038-P5, and CF038C(/M)-P5 clamps offer a space-saving alternative to secure our posts to an optical table. When used in conjunction with our Thread to Dowel Pin Adapters (see below), posts can be aligned over tapped holes in mounting surfaces with free rotation prior to being clamped down.
| Posted Comments: | |
user
(posted 2023-11-10 13:33:46.013) Hello!
Which type of stainless steel are the posts made of? Can you use them in UHV?
Best regards. jdelia
(posted 2023-11-13 08:54:43.0) Thank you for contacting Thorlabs. These posts are constructed from 303 stainless steel. I have contacted you directly to discuss your application further. Thomas Kessler
(posted 2023-03-23 16:53:02.11) It would be great if you had 1" post spacers with 8-32 taps. jdelia
(posted 2023-03-24 01:57:14.0) Thank you for contacting Thorlabs and for providing this valuable feedback. While this is not something we currently offer, I have forwarded your request over to our design engineers for future consideration as a stock product via our internal suggestion forum. Adam Wyatt
(posted 2022-09-16 09:27:03.937) Do you offer the RSxP/M and RSxP4M pedestal posts in custom lengths. Specifically I need to centre the Polaris 2" mounts at a 150mm beam height (requiring 110mm pedestal posts). I would like to use a single post rather than post + spacer. Fabian Brunner
(posted 2020-05-23 06:02:39.877) It would be very useful to if spacers of the kind RS1M to RS10M could be sold in e.g. 5-packs and without the metric and imperial grubs that come with it. We are frequently using the spacers but the imperial and metric grubs are piling up in the lab to such amounts that we started to just through them away - which is pity. Also, this way packaging material could be saved to reduce waste and save time for unpacking. Lastly, the spaces could maybe be offered at a more reasonable price then. YLohia
(posted 2020-05-26 09:43:31.0) Hello Fabian, thank you very much for your feedback. We will consider adding these options to our catalog. user
(posted 2019-06-23 16:25:52.69) This product would be useful to me if it had ten 0.1 mm slices instead of fourteen 0.075 mm slices.
My use cases result from having to align imperial and metric measure differences of any single digit integer decimillimeters. I can only obtain .3, .6, and .9 mm with this product, not the .1, .2, .4, .5, .7, and .8 mm I commonly need, and I can't think of an example when I might need the .075, .15, .225, .375, .45, .525, .675, .750, or .825 mm provided by the product.
For example, aligning SCL03/M and SCL60C/M, both "metric" products, requires compensating for the 1.4 mm height difference between the centers of these items when they are fully inserted in post holders. This would be easy to do with one RS1M and 4 slices of a decimillimetric version of the RS1LM. llamb
(posted 2019-06-24 02:02:46.0) Thank you for your feedback. I have added this idea to our internal product forum for further review and reached out to you directly to discuss your application further. fabian.stutzki
(posted 2016-03-02 08:01:37.617) Hi,
it would be nice to have a post that perfectly fits to mount a Polaris mirror on 40 mm beam height. The post would have to have a height of about 15mm.
Best regards
Fabian Stutzki besembeson
(posted 2016-03-02 01:47:04.0) Response from Bweh at Thorlabs USA: You may achieve this at the moment using the RS05P/M with a suitable spacer such as the RS3M. roger.ding
(posted 2015-08-07 00:32:01.357) A Ø1" Pedestal Pillar Post, 8-32 Taps, L = 2.5" (i.e. 1 in pedestal pillar post with a length of 2.5 inches). I'm currently getting the 2.5 in posts from Newport (item #9955) because Thorlabs doesn't offer this height. besembeson
(posted 2015-08-19 03:32:01.0) Response from Bweh at Thorlabs USA: Thanks for your feedback. Although you can use the RS1.5P8E and the PLS-P1 with an AP8E25E, we will look into expanding our 1" posts product line to include solid 2.5" length as stock item. bdada
(posted 2012-03-07 12:20:00.0) Response from Buki at Thorlabs:
Thank you for your feedback on the variation you have experienced with the tolerance of our posts. We will look into this issue. We do not have your contact information, so please contact us so we can keep you updated on our findings and replace any posts that do not meet our tolerance specification. user
(posted 2012-03-05 17:34:52.0) All these posts seem to vary in length more than i'd expect, can you look at the tolerance and perhaps tighten it up. This simple change would make these post more useful. Same would apply to your other post series. bdada
(posted 2011-10-20 12:45:00.0) Response from Buki at Thorlabs:
Thank you for your suggestion. Please consider using one of our extension posts to get a variety of lengths and introduce more flexibility into your system. For instance, to get an RS2.5P/M (62.5mm height), you could combine the RS2P/M (50mm height) with the RS12/M extension post (12.5mm height) shown on the page linked below:
http://www.thorlabs.de/NewGroupPage9.cfm?ObjectGroup_ID=241
If you do not want to use the extension post, please contact TechSupport@thorlabs.com regarding a custom length post. umit79
(posted 2011-10-20 13:39:53.0) I would like to also see RS2.5P/M in the product list. Laurie
(posted 2009-03-19 13:18:15.0) Response from Laurie at Thorlabs to hbabcock: Thank you for your interest in our posts and for your valuable feedback. For customers desiring a 1/4"-20 thread, we do offer a series of "P Posts," which have a 1.5" diameter. However, you are definitely correct that we need to provide links and text specifically guiding you towards the thread adapter that can convert these RS posts to 1/4"-20 threading. We will make that addition very shortly. Once again, thank you for taking the time to provide valuable feedback that will help others in the future! hbabcock
(posted 2009-03-19 10:23:18.0) Id also like to see a 1/4-20 threaded version of these. I naively assumed that these would be directly compatible with the 1" post extensions. You might also consider listing the adapter as a related item. I discovered that it existed by reading the feedback for this product. Laurie
(posted 2008-10-15 12:17:31.0) Response from Laurie at Thorlabs to acable: Currently we do offer an 8-32 to 1/4-20 adapter (Item# AP8E25E), which would allow you to connect our post extensions to our pedestal posts. However, I understand that youd like the larger thread throughout for stability. Thorlabs does have an internal forum for product ideas, and I will be sure to enter your suggestion into that forum for consideration. In the interim, if you contact our technical support staff, theyd be able to provide you with a custom quote for tapping our pedestal posts with a 1/4-20 thread. acable
(posted 2008-10-13 09:20:37.0) The Post Extensions are tapped 1/4-20 (M6-1.0) both ends, however the Pedestal Posts have an #8-32 (M4-0.7) tap, would it be possible to change the Pedestal Post to a 1/4-20 (M6). Using the larger thread size would allow an assembly of Posts to be tightened with sufficent torque to provide assurance that the assembly would not vibrate loose. Then in order for the Pedestal Posts to accept Opto-Mech with #8 (M4)mounting feature inclusion of one of the following thread adapter could be included with each post:
AE8E25E - Thread Adapter, Internal to External Stud, #8-32 to 1/4"-20
AE4M6M - Thread Adapter, Internal to External Stud, M4 to M6 technicalmarketing
(posted 2008-02-22 08:33:50.0) Thank you for suggesting a new product. We always like to hear from our customers about ways that we can better serve you. I will pass this information on to our engineers in mechanics for discussion. If adopted, this item would join our growing list of customer inspired products. Thanks again for your input! zilong.chen
(posted 2008-02-21 17:02:45.0) Hi,
Would Thorlabs consider manufacturing shorter clamping forks for use in small spaces? A 1.5"-2" short fork can be very useful in constrained spaces.
Thanks,
Zilong |
Zoom- Solid Stainless Steel Construction
- Precision Ground to Ø1" (Ø25.0 mm)
- Stackable via 8-32 (M4) Tapped Holes on Both Ends
- Convenient Pedestal Base Design Compatible with Our CF Series Clamping Forks
These pedestal pillars, which are fabricated from 303 stainless steel, are 1" (25.0 mm) in diameter, have 8-32 (M4) taps on both ends, and are available in a variety of lengths. The 8-32 (M4) taps are compatible with many optomechanical devices such as most of our kinematic mounts. A Ø0.24" (6.0 mm) through hole is located on the side of each post (except the RS05P8E and RS05P4M posts) and can be used with a 3/16" (5 mm) balldriver or the SPW501 Spanner Wrench to provide extra leverage during tightening. These posts are also available with 1/4"-20 (M6) taps; please see below for details.
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- Solid Stainless Steel Construction
- Precision Ground to Ø1" (Ø25.0 mm)
- Stackable via 1/4"-20 (M6) Tapped Holes on Both Ends
- Convenient Pedestal Base Design Compatible with Our CF Series Clamping Forks
These pedestal pillars, which are fabricated from 303 stainless steel, are 1" (25.0 mm) in diameter, have 1/4"-20 (M6) taps on both ends, and are available in a variety of lengths. The 1/4"-20 (M6) thread allows for easy integration of Ø1" post extensions and spacers. A Ø0.24" (6.0 mm) through hole is located on the side of each post [except the RS05P(/M) post] and can be used with a 3/16" (5 mm) balldriver or the SPW501 Spanner Wrench to provide extra leverage during tightening.
To convert the 1/4"-20" taps to 8-32 taps, we separately offer the AE8E25E adapter, which has external 1/4"-20 threading and internal
8-32 threading. To convert the M6 taps to M4 taps, we separately offer the AE4M6M adapter, which has external M6 threading and internal M4 threading.
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Click to Enlarge
SPW501 Spanner Wrench Being Used to Tighten a Small Ø1" Post Spacer onto a Ø1" Pillar Post
- Solid Stainless Steel Construction
- 1/4"-20 (M6) Tapped Hole
- Large Diameter Relief Cut on Top and Bottom for Additional Mounting Stability
- Spanner Wrench Slots
These small post spacers are designed for achieving "in between" heights of our Ø1" (Ø25.0 mm) Posts without compromising structural rigidity. The center 1/4"-20 (M6) tapped through hole allows threaded studs to pass through to the mating tap of the components on the top and bottom. Each spacer ≤0.31" (8 mm) long features two slots on the side that allow it to be securely tightened onto a post using the SPW501 spanner wrench (sold below), as shown in the image to the right. Spacers with lengths 0.35" (9 mm) or larger feature a through hole instead of the two slots; this through hole accepts a 1/8" (3 mm) balldriver as well as the SPW501 for providing leverage while tightening or loosening.
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Click to EnlargePost Spacer Being Used to Increase the Post Height
by 5 mm (0.2")
- Solid Stainless Steel Construction
- Clearance Holes Accept Ø1/4" (M6) Screws
- ≥1 mm Thick Spacers have Large Diameter Relief Cuts on Top and Bottom for Additional Mounting Stability
These spacers are designed for achieving heights in between those of our catalog Ø1" (Ø25 mm) Posts offering without compromising structural rigidity. The center clearance hole allows Ø1/4" (M6) threaded studs to pass through to the mating tap of the components on either side of the spacer. Achieving, for example, a total post height of 8.2" is as simple as inserting one RS5M spacer (0.2" thickness) in between two RS4 posts (4" length).
Note that spacers 0.9 mm and thinner have an indent on the side due to the manufacturing process. This feature is cosmetic and does not interfere with the spacer's functionality.
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| RS-KIT Post Spacer and Setscrew Kit | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Item | Qty. | Item | Qty. |
| Ø25 mm Post Spacer, 1 mm Thick (RS1M) | 5 | Ø25 mm Post Spacer, 7 mm Thick (RS7M) | 1 |
| Ø25 mm Post Spacer, 2 mm Thick (RS2M) | 5 | Ø25 mm Post Spacer, 8 mm Thick (RS8M) | 1 |
| Ø25 mm Post Spacer, 3 mm Thick (RS3M) | 5 | Ø25 mm Post Spacer, 9 mm Thick (RS9M) | 1 |
| Ø25 mm Post Spacer, 4 mm Thick (RS4M) | 5 | Ø25 mm Post Spacer, 10 mm Thick (RS10M) | 5 |
| Ø25 mm Post Spacer, 5 mm Thick (RS5M) | 5 | 1/4"-20 Setscrew, 7/8" Long | 25 |
| Ø25 mm Post Spacer, 6 mm Thick (RS6M) | 1 | 1/4"-20 Setscrew, 1" Long (SS25S10) | 25 |
| RS-KIT/M Post Spacer and Setscrew Kit | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Item | Qty. | Item | Qty. |
| Ø25 mm Post Spacer, 1 mm Thick (RS1M) | 5 | Ø25 mm Post Spacer, 7 mm Thick (RS7M) | 1 |
| Ø25 mm Post Spacer, 2 mm Thick (RS2M) | 5 | Ø25 mm Post Spacer, 8 mm Thick (RS8M) | 1 |
| Ø25 mm Post Spacer, 3 mm Thick (RS3M) | 5 | Ø25 mm Post Spacer, 9 mm Thick (RS9M) | 1 |
| Ø25 mm Post Spacer, 4 mm Thick (RS4M) | 5 | Ø25 mm Post Spacer, 10 mm Thick (RS10M) | 5 |
| Ø25 mm Post Spacer, 5 mm Thick (RS5M) | 5 | M6 x 1.0 mm Setscrew, 20 mm Long (SS6MS20) | 25 |
| Ø25 mm Post Spacer, 6 mm Thick (RS6M) | 1 | M6 x 1.0 mm Setscrew, 25 mm Long (SS6MS25) | 25 |
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Click to Enlarge- Peel Away Individual Layers as Needed
- Stainless Steel
- Tabbed for Easy Peeling
- Sold in Packs of 5
This Ø25 mm, peelable, laminated shim provides fine height adjustment when using our Ø1" posts. These 1.0 mm ± 10% thick shims come in packs of 5 and have 14 layers, which are each 0.075 mm thick. They have a through hole to accommodate a 1/4"-20 (M6) screw.
Be aware the finish on some shims may appear tarnished due to the manufacturing process. This does not affect form, fit, or function. Only the appearance is altered.
To peel, take a sharp edge like a box cutter and hold it at a 45° angle to the tab on the shim as shown in the photo to the right. Gently flick the knife upward until the layer begins to lift. In general, you should be able to lift an edge within 5 attempts. If you cannot get an edge to lift, gently tap the corner of the tab on a table until the material begins to flare.
Once an edge is lifted, insert the blade under the layer, squeeze the layer between your thumb and the blade, and roll your wrist down and then up to start peeling (see photo in the upper left). Once the layer has been peeled up enough, you can use your thumb and forefinger to remove it the rest of the way. Repeat this process until you have removed as many layers as desired. Discard all peeled-off layers.
ZoomClick to Enlarge
The SPW501 wrench tightens Ø1" posts that have torque slots or holes.
The SPW501 Spanner Wrench is designed to tighten or loosen Ø1" posts that have torque slots, as illustrated in the photo to the right. The SPW501 can also be used with Ø1/2" posts and Ø1" posts that have through holes. The wrench is designed to fit into the slot or through hole and provide leverage for tightening or loosening the post when mounting the post directly to a tapped hole. Please use minimal force when tightening to prevent binding due to overtightening.
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Click for Details
The CF038C(/M)-P5, CF125C(/M), and CF175C(/M) each offer a captive screw.
Click to Enlarge
Several Slot Lengths Available
- Clamping Fork Secures Pedestal Post to a Breadboard or Optical Table
- Three Sizes Provide Clamping with 1/4"-20 (M6) Cap Screws
- 0.40" (10.2 mm) Long Counterbored Slot [CF038-P5 and CF038C(/M)-P5]
- 1.24" (31.5 mm) Long Counterbored Slot [CF125 and CF125C(/M)]
- 1.75" (44.4 mm) Long Counterbored Slot [CF175 and CF175C(/M)]
- Swivel Fork 360° to Select Most Convenient Mounting Hole
- CF038C(/M)-P5, CF125C(/M), and CF175C(/M) Each Include a 1/4"-20 (M6)-Threaded Captive Screw
- Clamping Forks Available in Packs of Five [CF038-P5 and CF038C(/M)-P5 Not Sold Individually]
These clamping forks are designed to provide exceptional clamping force when used with our pedestal-style Ø1/2" post holders or the Ø1" pedestal posts sold above. Fabricated from solid 303 stainless steel, all of these clamping forks create three points of contact with the table for high stability.
For flexibility in the positioning of post assemblies, the CF038-P5 and CF038C(/M)-P5 forks have 0.40" (10.2 mm) long counterbored slots, the CF125 and CF125C(/M) forks have 1.24" (31.5 mm) long counterbored slots, and the CF175 and CF175C(/M) forks have 1.75" (44.4 mm) long counterbored slots. The counterbored slots on the CF038-P5, CF125, and CF175 forks are designed for user-supplied 1/4"-20 (M6)-threaded cap screws. For further convenience, the CF038C(/M)-P5, CF125C(/M), and CF175C(/M) each include a 1/4"-20 (M6)-threaded captive screw. Please note that significant over tightening of clamping forks can deform the surface of an optical table, which can cause misalignment of components and decrease stability.
Our clamping forks are also available in packages of five for ease of ordering (note: the CF038-P5 and CF038C(/M)-P5 clamping forks are only available in packs of five).
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Click to Enlarge
CL8 Clamps Securing RS4P8E Ø1" Pedestal Post
Click to Enlarge
CL8 Cross-Sectional View
- Compatible with Ø1" and Ø1.5" Posts
- Two-Point Contact with Pedestal Post Perimeter
- Line Contact on Table for More Secure Clamping Force
Thorlabs' CL8 pedestal post clamp secures our Ø1" and Ø1.5" pedestal posts to an optical table or breadboard. Its V-shaped tip provides two-point contact with the post perimeter and its rounded edge increases the contact area along the table.
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Click to Enlarge
A mirror can be centered over a hole in an optical table with a KM100CP mirror mount on a Ø1" pedestal post. The thread to dowel pin adapter allows for free rotation of the post while indexing to the holes in the optical table.
| Item # | Thread (External) |
Dowel Pin |
|---|---|---|
| Imperial Thread Adapters | ||
| PTDA8E-P5 | 8-32 | Ø0.193"a |
| PTDA25E-P5 | 1/4"-20 | |
| Metric Thread Adapters | ||
| PTDA4M-P5 | M4 x 0.7 | Ø4.83 mmb |
| PTDA6M-P5 | M6 x 1.0 | |
- Thread into 8-32, 1/4"-20, M4 x 0.7, or M6 x 1.0 Tapped Optomechanical Components
- Index into 1/4"-20 or M6 x 1.0 Holes of Mounting Surfaces like Stages, Optical Tables, or Breadboards
- Provides Easy Alignment of Components to Tapped Holes with Free Rotation
- Allows for Repeatable Insertion of Temporary Components Into the Optical Path
- Sold in Packages of 5
Thorlabs' Thread to Dowel Pin Adapters are used to align an optomechanical component directly over a 1/4"-20 (M6 x 1.0) tapped hole, such as those on translation stages, optical tables, or breadboards. For quick and easy alignment, thread the adapter into a compatible post (for example a Ø1" pillar or Ø1" pedestal post)a, and then slot the dowel pin into a 1/4"-20 (M6 x 1.0) tapped hole on the mounting surface. The dowel pin allows free rotation about a post's axis while maintaining alignment over the hole. See the Application tab for more details.
Since these adapters index into tapped holes, temporary components like irises or other alignment tools can be quickly inserted into a beam path. We recommend securing the post or post holder to the table or breadboard with additional hardware, like a clamping fork, for permanent installation once the desired rotational position is achieved.
These adapters feature a 5/64" (2.0 mm) hex in the dowel pin for installation and removal. To aid with identification, metric adapters feature an engraved ring around the dowel pin. An O-Ring is included on the 1/4"-20 and M6 x 1.0 externally-threaded adapters to prevent movement from play between threads and to prevent the adapter from becoming over-inserted in the component.
Zoom- Mark the Position of Ø1" and Ø1.5" Posts within an Optical System
- Realignment Based on Two Contact Points
- Third Contact Point for Realigning Square Components
- Swivel Head Retainer Available with 200° of Rotation
Thorlabs' Position Retainers can be used to realign posts that have been removed from an optical system. They act as markers on the breadboard or optical table in the event that you need to remove a post from your setup. The two dots near the ends of the outer arms of the retainer mark the two points of post contact. The third dot, located within the V-groove, is for retaining the position of a square base or other squared-off component. For more information on using our retainers with square components, click here.
The RSPC Fixed Retainer is a compact solution for use with Ø1" and Ø1.5" Pedestal Posts. The post should be independently clamped down before aligning the RSPC retainer. After the retainer is mounted in place, the post can be removed from the setup and then later placed back into the same position.
The RSPCS(/M) Swivel Retainer features a swivel head for 200° of rotational adjustment. This allows for access to additional mounting holes on the breadboard. The post should be independently locked before aligning RSPCS(/M) retainer. Partially loosen the tension adjuster screw and then mount the retainer to a breadboard tap while maintaining contact with the post. Lastly, tighten the tension adjuster screw. After this the component can be removed from the setup and then later placed back into the same position.
Click to Enlarge RSPCS Swiveling Position Retainer
Ø1" Pedestal Posts