Post-Mountable V-Clamps

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VH1 supported along a set of 16 mm Cage Rods, which are attached to the 4-40 taps on the body of the clamp.

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VH1 holding a GRIN collimator, which is held in place by the V-groove and adjustable-height arm.

• Clamps Cylindrical Objects Ranging from Ø1/32" (0.8 mm) to Ø3/8" (9.5 mm)
• Compact Design Ideal for Small Optomechanical and OEM Assemblies
• 4-40 Mounting Taps on Front and Back for 16 mm Cage Rods
• VH1 and VH1/M Post Mountable via Bottom-Located 8-32 (M4) Tapped Hole

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.

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PCM Clamp Used with PCMP Prism Base to Mount a Dove Prism Over the 1/4"-20 Tap of a Ø1/2" Post

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PCM Post Clamp Mounting a GRIN Fiber Collimator Using the PCMV V-Groove
Base Adapter

• Post-Mount Prisms or Cylindrical Objects
• PCM(/M) Ø1/2" Post Clamp Secures Objects Mounted on Base Adapters
• PCMV(/M) V-Groove Adapter Holds Cylindrical Objects
  
  • Minimum Object Diameter: 0.02" (0.6 mm)
  • Maximum Object Diameter: 0.52" (13.2 mm)
• PCMP(/M) Flat Adapter Holds Prisms or Beamsplitter Cubes
  • Maximum Optic Height: 0.82" (20.8 mm)
• Adapters Mount to 1/4"-20 (M6) End of our Ø1/2" Optical Posts

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.

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[APPLIST]

Two VBC1 Clamps Can Hold Long Components

• Clamps Cylindrical Objects Ranging from Ø0.50" (12.7 mm) to Ø2.20" (Ø55.9 mm)
• Adjustable Silicone Band Design Provides Distributed Holding Force
• Post Mountable via a 8-32 (M4) Tapped Hole
• Replacement Bands Available Separately

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. 

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Post-Mounted VC1 V-Clamp Holding a Fiber Collimation Package

• Clamps Cylindrical Objects Ranging from Ø0.02" (0.5 mm) to Ø0.82" (20.8 mm)
• Post Mountable via Two 8-32 (M4) Tapped Holes
• One PM3(/M) Clamping Arm Included with Each Mount

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.

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VBC2 Clamp Holding a GC50 Empty Glass Cell

• Clamps Cylindrical Objects Ranging from Ø0.50" (12.7 mm) to Ø2.20" (Ø55.9 mm)
• Adjustable Silicone Band Design Provides Distributed Holding Force
• Post Mountable via Three 8-32 (M4) Tapped Holes
• Replacement Bands Available Separately

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.

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[APPLIST]

Ø3" Lens Tube Clamped in
VC3C Using PMTR Clamp

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Underside of VC3C(/M) Clamp

• Clamps Cylindrical Objects Ranging from Ø0.26" (6.6 mm) to Ø2.04" (51.8 mm)
• Post Mountable via Three 8-32 (M4) Tapped Holes
• Four Ø1/4" (M6) Counterbores for Additional Mounting Options
• One PM4(/M) Clamping Arm Included with Each Mount

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. 

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Post-Mounted VC6 V-Clamp with an Additional
PM4 Clamping Arm Holding a
Ø1.74" (Ø44.2 mm) HeNe Tube Laser

• Clamps Cylindrical Objects Ranging from Ø0.26" (6.6 mm) to Ø2.04" (Ø51.8 mm)
• Post Mountable via Three 8-32 (M4) Tapped Holes
• Six Ø1/4" (M6) Counterbores for Additional Mounting Options
• One PM4(/M) Clamping Arm Included with Each Mount

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). 

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Clamping Arm Extension Posts with Metric Indicator Groove

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Mechanical Drawings

• Provide Clamping Force for Our Platform Mounts
• 6-32 (M4) Threads on Top and Bottom of Post
• PM3(/M): Holds Optics up to 0.97" (24.6 mm) Tall
• PM4(/M): Holds Optics up to 1.61" (40.9 mm) Tall
• Extension Posts Available to Increase Max Optic Height
  • PM3SP(/M) with PM3(/M): Hold Optics up to 2.21" (56.1 mm) Tall
  • PM4SP(/M) with PM4(/M): Hold Optics up to 3.61" (91.7 mm) Tall

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.