6-32 (M4)
Tapped Holes
3 Places
PM4
(One Included
with Each Mount)
VC3C
VBC1
8-32 (M4)
Nylon-Tipped
Setscrew
Application Idea
A PCM Clamp with PCMV
V-Groove Adapter Mounting
a GRIN Collimator
VH1
These post-mountable V-Clamps are available in several distinct models, each designed for different cylindrical mounting requirements. Each model offers a solid, one-piece V-clamp body accompanied by one of two clamping mechanisms. The VBC1(/M) and VBC2(/M) clamps feature, respectively, one or two silicone bands that wrap around the component being clamped, providing high stability with a distributed clamping force. Our other V-clamps feature a clamping arm which contacts the components directly in-line with the center of the 'V'.
While most are commonly used to hold cylindrical objects such as GRIN Lenses, Fiber Collimation Packages, Laser Diode Modules, HeNe Lasers, and Glass Cells, these mounts are excellent general-purpose mounts capable of holding even unusually shaped objects. All models offer at least three-point contact for stable component mounting. These V-clamps can all be mounted to posts using 8-32 (M4) tapped holes on the bottom. Thorlabs also offers a V-Post Band Clamp, which has the body of a 1/2" post with a V-block and stainless steel band for mounting cylindrical objects.
This miniature V-clamp is ideal for applications that require the positioning of short, small diameter cylindrical components, such as our GRIN Lenses, ranging from Ø1/32" (0.8 mm) to Ø3/8" (9.5 mm). The VH1 measures just 0.42" (10.7 mm) from front to back, a compact design that allows close access to both ends of a cylindrically shaped optic fastened within the mount. Cylindrical objects are clamped in place via a nylon-tipped setscrew, using a 5/64" (2.0 mm) hex key, housed in an adjustable-height arm. One bottom-located 8-32 (M4) tapped hole makes this V-clamp directly compatible with our Ø1/2" posts. As an additional feature, the VH1(/M) has one 4-40 tapped hole on each side of the body that is center-aligned with the V-groove, allowing optics to be mounted along 16 mm Cage Rods with no need for posts (see images to the right). This mounting option conserves space in some small 16 mm Cage System setups.
Part Number | Description | Price | Availability |
---|---|---|---|
VH1/M | Miniature V-Clamp, 0.42" Long, M4 Tapped Hole | $43.76 | Today |
VH1 | Miniature V-Clamp, 0.42" Long, 8-32 Tapped Hole | $43.76 | Today |
Thorlabs' Compact Platform Mount is ideal for mounting cylindrical objects from 0.02" (0.6 mm) to 0.52" (13.2 mm) in diameter or prisms up to 0.82" (20.8 mm) tall onto a Ø1/2" Optical Post. Its thin 0.65" (16.5 mm) profile allows the mount to easily fit into a space-constrained setup, where a larger mount could not. Please note that a complete post clamp mount will require a PCM(/M) Ø1/2" Post Clamp and either a PCMP(/M) Flat or PCMV(/M) V-Groove Base Adapter, all of which are sold separately.
The PCMP(/M) and PCMV(/M) Base Adapters thread onto the 1/4"-20 (M6) end of a Ø1/2" post to provide a stable mounting surface for prisms or cylindrical objects, respectively. To secure the mounted component, the PCM(/M) Post Clamp fits over the post and includes a PM3 or PM3/M Clamping Arm with nylon-tipped setscrew that can be adjusted using a 5/64" (2 mm) hex key. The post clamp is locked in place on the Ø1/2" post using a side-located thumbscrew that can also be secured using a 3/16" (5 mm) hex key. See the photo to the right for a mounting example.
Part Number | Description | Price | Availability |
---|---|---|---|
PCM/M | Post Clamp Mount for Ø1/2" (12.7 mm) Posts (Base Adapter Sold Separately) | $45.45 | Today |
PCMV/M | V-Groove Base Adapter for PCM(/M) Mount, M6 Threaded Stud | $19.48 | Today |
PCMP/M | Flat Base Adapter for PCM(/M) Mount, M6 Threaded Stud | $19.48 | Today |
PCM | Post Clamp Mount for Ø1/2" (12.7 mm) Posts (Base Adapter Sold Separately) | $45.45 | Today |
PCMV | V-Groove Base Adapter for PCM(/M) Mount, 1/4"-20 Threaded Stud | $19.48 | Today |
PCMP | Flat Base Adapter for PCM(/M) Mount, 1/4"-20 Threaded Stud | $19.48 | Today |
This clamp uses a silicone band that contacts the mounted component over an extended area of its top surface. The resulting distributed holding force is ideal for components that are fragile or easily marred. The 0.38" (9.5 mm) wide band is attached to the body by pushing the two stainless steel buttons through button holes in the band. The band contains 26 button holes spaced at 0.25" (6.4 mm) intervals, which allows the clamp to be adjusted to hold objects ranging from Ø0.50" (12.7 mm) to Ø2.20" (Ø55.9 mm).
This clamp features a single band and 0.60" (15.2 mm) long V-block and is ideal for components with only a short section that can be clamped. Multiple VBC1(/M) clamps can be used to secure long components, as shown in the image to the right. The steel buttons can be removed using a 0.050" (1.3 mm) hex key to facilitate use with other securing mechanisms. A pack of two bands is available separately as a replacement.
Part Number | Description | Price | Availability |
---|---|---|---|
VBC1/M | Post-Mountable V-Clamp, Single Band, 0.60" Long, M4 Tapped Hole | $53.04 | Today |
VBCRB | Silicone Band, Pack of Two | $5.10 | Today |
VBC1 | Post-Mountable V-Clamp, Single Band, 0.60" Long, 8-32 Tapped Hole | $53.04 | Today |
The VC1(/M) Small, 0.75" (19.1 mm) Long V-Clamp is ideally suited for holding small cylindrical objects such as our Fiber Collimation Packages. Cylindrical objects are clamped in place using the nylon-tipped setscrew on the included PM3(/M) Clamping Arm (one included with each mount; additional arms are available below). This setscrew can be tightened with a 5/64" (2 mm) balldriver or hex key. This V-Clamp is equipped with one bottom-located and one side-located 8-32 (M4) tapped hole for post mounting. The side-located hole is opposite the clamping arm.
The PM3(/M) clamping arm is held to a post using a flexure locking mechanism that locks with the same 5/64" (2 mm) hex key. The post of the PM3(/M) includes a Ø0.09" (Ø2.3 mm) through hole that allows for extra torque to be applied when tightening.
Part Number | Description | Price | Availability |
---|---|---|---|
VC1/M | Small V-Clamp with PM3/M Clamping Arm, 0.75" Long, Metric | $46.07 | Today |
VC1 | Small V-Clamp with PM3 Clamping Arm, 0.75" Long | $46.07 | Today |
This clamp uses two silicone bands that contact the mounted component over an extended area of its top surface. The resulting distributed holding force is ideal for components that are fragile or easily marred. Each 0.38" (9.5 mm) wide band is attached to the body by pushing the two stainless steel buttons through button holes in the band. Each band contains 26 button holes spaced at 0.25" (6.4 mm) intervals, which allows the clamp to be adjusted to hold objects ranging from Ø0.50" (12.7 mm) to Ø2.20" (Ø55.9 mm).
This clamp features two bands on a 1.50" (38.1 mm) long V-block, offering improved holding for long components. The gap between the two bands of the VBC2(/M) provides clearance for the stems of our glass cells, as shown in the image to the right. The steel buttons can be removed using a 0.050" (1.3 mm) hex key to facilitate use with other securing mechanisms. A pack of two bands is available separately as a replacement.
Part Number | Description | Price | Availability |
---|---|---|---|
VBC2/M | Post-Mountable V-Clamp, Two Bands, 1.50" Long, M4 Tapped Holes | $83.64 | Today |
VBCRB | Silicone Band, Pack of Two | $5.10 | Today |
VBC2 | Post-Mountable V-Clamp, Two Bands, 1.50" Long, 8-32 Tapped Holes | $83.64 | Today |
These 2.5" (63.5 mm) Long, Large V-Clamps are designed to hold large cylindrical objects, such as our Laser Diode Modules. Cylindrical objects are clamped in place using the nylon-tipped setscrew on the included PM4(/M) Clamping Arm (one included with each mount; additional arms are available below). This setscrew can be tightened with a 5/64" (2 mm) balldriver or hex key. Three bottom-located 8-32 (M4) tapped holes and four Ø1/4" (M6) counterbores are provided for mounting.
The PM4(/M) clamping arm is held to a post using a flexure mechanism that locks with the same 5/64" (2 mm) hex key. The post of the PM4(/M) includes a Ø0.10" (Ø2.5 mm) through hole that enables the use of added torque when tightening. For extra clamping support, these V-clamp have two additional (three total) 6-32 (M4) tapped holes for use with extra PM4(/M) clamping arms.
Part Number | Description | Price | Availability |
---|---|---|---|
VC3C/M | Customer Inspired! Large V-Clamp with PM4/M Clamping Arm, 63.5 mm Long, Metric | $45.15 | Today |
VC3C | Customer Inspired! Large V-Clamp with PM4 Clamping Arm, 2.5" Long, Imperial | $45.15 | Today |
This 6" (152.4 mm) Long, Large V-Clamp is designed to secure long cylindrical objects, such as our HeNe Tube Lasers. Cylindrical objects are held in place using the nylon-tipped setscrew on the included PM4(/M) Clamping Arm (one included with each mount). This setscrew can be tightened with a 5/64" (2 mm) balldriver or hex key. This mount is equipped with six Ø1/4" (M6) counterbores and three bottom-located 8-32 (M4) tapped holes for directly mounting the V-clamp to an optical breadboard or a post.
The PM4(/M) clamping arm is held to a post using a flexure mechanism that locks with the same 5/64" (2 mm) hex key. The post of the PM4 includes a Ø0.10" (Ø2.5 mm) through hole that enables the use of added torque when tightening. For extra clamping support, seven additional (eight total) 6-32 (M4) tapped holes have been added for extra PM4 clamping arms (available below).
Part Number | Description | Price | Availability |
---|---|---|---|
VC6/M | Large V-Clamp with PM4/M Clamping Arm, 6" Long, Metric | $78.90 | Today |
VC6 | Large V-Clamp with PM4 Clamping Arm, 6" Long | $78.90 | Today |
Thorlabs' PM3(/M) and PM4(/M) Clamping Arms use a nylon-tipped setscrew with a 5/64" (2.0 mm) hex to secure optics to our kinematic platform mounts and V-clamps. The PM3(/M) accommodates optics up to 0.97" (24.6 mm) tall and features a 0.69" (17.5 mm) center-to-center distance between the post and the nylon-tipped setscrew. In contrast, the PM4(/M) accommodates optics up to 1.61" (40.9 mm) and features a 1.16" (29.3 mm) center-to-center distance between the post and the nylon-tipped setscrew. The maximum optic height of the PM3(/M) or PM4(/M) Clamping Arms can be extended using our PM3SP(/M) or PM4SP(/M) Extension Posts, respectively. These extension posts are identical to the posts included in each complete clamping arm.
The clamping arm for all items is held to the post using a flexure mechanism that locks with a 5/64" (2.0 mm) balldriver or hex key. The post also offers a through hole for added torque when tightening down the post. Please see the diagram above for additional information.
Part Number | Description | Price | Availability |
---|---|---|---|
PM3/M | Small Adjustable Clamping Arm, M4 x 0.7 Threaded Post | $21.86 | Today |
PM3SP/M | Customer Inspired! Extension Post for PM3/M Clamping Arm, M4 x 0.7 Threaded | $6.06 | Today |
PM4/M | Large Adjustable Clamping Arm, M4 x 0.7 Threaded Post | $26.73 | Today |
PM4SP/M | Customer Inspired! Extension Post for PM4/M Clamping Arm, M4 x 0.7 Threaded | $6.06 | Today |
PM3 | Small Adjustable Clamping Arm, 6-32 Threaded Post | $21.86 | Today |
PM3SP | Customer Inspired! Extension Post for PM3 Clamping Arm, 6-32 Threaded | $6.06 | Today |
PM4 | Large Adjustable Clamping Arm, 6-32 Threaded Post | $26.73 | Today |
PM4SP | Customer Inspired! Extension Post for PM4 Clamping Arm, 6-32 Threaded | $6.06 | Today |