Products Home / Optomechanical Components / Optical Post Assemblies / Ø1/2" Optical Post Assemblies / Kinematic Positioners, Post MountableKinematic Positioners, Post Mountable
- Designed for Use Within Ø1/2" Post Assemblies
- Allow Fine Positioning of Mounted Objects
- Create Kinematic Stops and Reference Edges
Application Idea
APM03 Vertical Positioner Used with an APM02 Contact Block to Finely Translate a Ø1/2" Post
APM01
Adjustable Kinematic Positioner
APM04
Fixed Kinematic Stop
APM02
Contact Block with Five Contact Pads
APM03
Vertical Adjustable Kinematic Positioner
APM03
APM02
Please Wait
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APM01 Positioner Finely Adjusting a Collimating Lens in Front of a Fiber on an MBT Translation Platform
Features
- Compatible with Ø1/2" Posts
- Horizontal or Vertical Object Translation
- Fixed or Spring-Loaded Stops Lock Position or Maintain an Opposing Force
- Contact Block Provides Five Flat Surfaces for Aiding Positioning
These kinematic positioners can be used individually or in functional groups for quick positioning and adjustment. A combination of adjusters and fixed or spring-loaded stops allows for fine adjustments that carefully manipulate a mount into place. The simple and modular design makes these positioners perfect for space-constrained systems, or for optomechanical positioning requirements where a precision stage is not necessary. They are also compact enough to be added to completed setups, preventing unwanted redesigns that could occur from adding a larger stage or mount.
| Posted Comments: | |
Brandon Scott
(posted 2023-12-31 14:52:24.813) Having a longer version of this part would be so helpful! It’s a little space constrained to get the second post holder close enough, and with large 2” optics the adjusters tend to touch the mounts. jdelia
(posted 2024-01-09 04:26:02.0) Thank you for contacting Thorlabs. I have contacted you directly to learn more about your application and how much longer you would like the APM02 to be. Dejan Nenov
(posted 2022-06-13 10:44:23.893) Great product line!
I am missing ONE thing - an adjustable clamp - like this (excuse my poor hand-drawing skills):
https://postimg.cc/kV5YqpVS
(the above is just a link to a .jpg - if you cannot or do not want to click to open it, as it may be unsafe, I can send in an email) jdelia
(posted 2022-06-14 01:45:02.0) Thank you for contacting Thorlabs. I have reached out to you directly to clarify your suggestion. user
(posted 2021-03-23 16:27:23.003) Typo in the title: Adjustable YLohia
(posted 2021-03-25 10:53:54.0) Thank you for your feedback and bringing this typo to our attention. We will fix this ASAP. ludoangot
(posted 2016-11-04 17:14:15.293) A spring-loaded plunger along the axis of the post would be welcome. It would greatly simplify the setup you show on the application photo for your APM06. The small inconvenience is the added thickness so that the plunger has enough travel, but this could be solved with the collar being locally thicker so that the plunger nests appropriately in. tfrisch
(posted 2016-11-04 11:02:31.0) Hello, thank you for contacting Thorlabs. I have posted your note in our internal engineering forum, and I will contact you directly to discuss your application. |
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APM05 Positioner Used with an APM06 Plunger and APM04 Stop to Slightly Rotate a Post Mounted Lens
- Fine Position Control via 120 TPI Fine Hex Adjuster
- Maximum Travel Range: 0.96" (24.4 mm)
- Flexure Clamp Attaches to Either End of a Ø1/2" Post
- Side-Located Counterbore for 1/4" (M6) Cap Screws Facilitates Mounting to a Breadboard or Base
The APM05(/M) Adjustable Kinematic Positioner allows for the precise positioning of optics or mounts. It features a high-precision 3/16"-120 hex adjuster (Item # F19MS150) that has a maximum axial load capacity of 5 lbs (2.3 kg) and can be actuated using a 5/64" (2 mm) hex key, providing fine positioning. The adjuster is centered over the post axis, unlike the APM01(/M) sold below. If longer or shorter translation ranges are required, the adjuster can be replaced with any other 3/16"-120 hex adjuster.
This adjuster can be used individually to finely position components. It can also be used in combination with the APM02 Contact Block and APM04 Fixed Stop or APM06 Plunger, as shown in the photo to the right, to create more complex and modular fine-adjustment systems.
It can be mounted to a Ø1/2" post using a bottom-located flexure clamp, which is tightened using a side-located cap screw and a 9/64" (3 mm) hex key. In addition, a side-located 1/4" (M6) counterbore allows the adjuster to be attached to the 1/4"-20 (M6) end of a Ø1/2" post or to a breadboard or base using a 1/4"-20 (M6) cap screw. When mounted via the flexure clamp, the adjuster will be centered on top of the post. In contrast, when mounted using the side-located counterbore, the adjuster will be offset to the side by 0.40" (10.2 mm).
Adjustment knobs are also available below, allowing for fine adjustments to be made without a hex key.
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Click to Enlarge APM07 Used with a KMCP Centering Plate to Translate a Lens, with a Spring-Loaded Plunger for Counterforce
- Fine Position Control via 120 TPI Fine Hex Adjuster
- Maximum Travel Range: 0.66" (16.76 mm)
- Two 1/4"-20 (M6) Taps for Attachment to Ø1/2" Posts or Bases
The APM07(/M) Adjustable Kinematic Positioner allows for the precise positioning of optomechanics or breadboards. It contains a high-precision 3/16"-120 hex adjuster (Item # F19MS150) that has a maximum axial load capacity of 5 lbs (2.3 kg). It can be actuated using a 5/64" (2 mm) hex key, providing fine positioning. If longer or shorter translation ranges are required, the adjuster can be replaced with any other 3/16"-120 hex adjuster. The positioner features two 1/4"-20 (M6) taps for mounting.
This adjuster can be mounted on a Ø1/2" post using a 1/4"-20 (M6) cap screw or setscrew as shown in the photo to the right. The photo shows the APM07 used with the APM06 Spring-Loaded Plunger to adjust the position of a lens mounted on the KMCP Centering Plate. The adjuster will be offset from the center of the post by 1/2" (12.7 mm) making it ideal for setups on Double Density Breadboards. This adjuster can also be used with optomechanics that offer 1/4"-20 (M6) taps at 1" (25 mm) spacings.
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APM01 Adjuster Being Used to Position a Lens in Front of a Fiber to Collimate
the Output on an MBT Translation Platform
- Fine Position Control via 120 TPI Fine Hex Adjuster
- Maximum Travel Range: 1.15" (29.2 mm)
- Lockable Slip-On Collar Design Attaches to Ø1/2" Posts
The APM01(/M) Adjustable Kinematic Positioner allows for the precise positioning of mounts. It contains a high-precision 3/16"-120 hex adjuster (Item # F19MS150) that has a maximum axial load capacity of 5 lbs (2.3 kg). It can be actuated using a 5/64" (2 mm) hex key, providing fine positioning. The adjuster is mounted on the side of the collar, allowing a slimmer profile that fits into space-constrained setups where the APM05(/M) sold above might not. If longer or shorter translation ranges are required, the adjuster can be replaced with any other 3/16"-120 hex adjuster.
This adjuster can be used individually, as shown in the photo to the right. It can also be used in combination with the APM02 Contact Block and APM04 Fixed Stop or APM06 Spring-Loaded Stop to create more complex and modular fine-adjustment systems.
The slip-on collar design fits around the outer diameter of a Ø1/2" post and can be locked in place using the side located 1/4"-20 (M6) brass-tipped setscrew that has a 1/8" (3.0 mm) hex.
Adjustment knobs are also available below, allowing for fine adjustments to be made without a hex key.
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An APM03 Vertical Positioner Used with an APM02 Contact Block to Translate a Ø1/2" Post
- Fine Position Control via 120 TPI Fine Hex Adjuster
- Maximum Travel Range: 0.40" (10.1 mm)
- Lockable Slip-On Collar Design Attaches to Ø1/2" Posts
The APM03(/M) Vertical Adjustable Kinematic Positioner allows for the precise positioning of mounts along the post axis. It contains a high-precision 3/16"-120 hex adjuster with a removable knob that has a maximum axial load capacity of 5 lbs (2.3 kg). It can also be actuated using a 5/64" (2 mm) hex key, providing fine positioning. If longer or shorter translation ranges are required, the adjuster can be replaced with any other 3/16"-120 hex adjuster.
This adjuster can be used individually or in combination with the APM02 Contact Block and APM04 Fixed Stop or APM06 Spring-Loaded Stop to create more complex and modular fine-adjustment systems, as shown in the image to the right.
The slip-on collar design fits around the outer diameter of a Ø1/2" post and can be locked in place using the side located 1/4"-20 (M6) brass-tipped setscrew that has a 1/8" (3.0 mm) hex.
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An APM04 Stop is shown being used with the APM02 Contact Block to create a rotation stop. The APM02 is also maintaining the post height.
- Use as a Stop or Reference Edge
- Hardened Steel Ball for One-Point Contact
- Lockable Slip-On Collar Design Attaches to Ø1/2" Posts
The APM04(/M) Fixed Kinematic Stop can be used as a rotation stop, as shown in the image to the right. In addition, several APM04 stops can be used together to create a reference edge. This is ideal for repeatable positioning of optical components within a system or when several objects need to be swapped in and out of an application. A hardened steel ball is provided at one end for a true one-point contact.
The slip-on collar design fits around the outer diameter of a Ø1/2" post and can be locked in place using the side located 1/4"-20 (M6) brass-tipped setscrew that has a 1/8" (3.0 mm) hex.
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APM06 Plunger Applying an Upward Counterforce to the Downward-Pointing APM03 Positioner, with Two APM02 Contact Blocks Used as Intermediary Surfaces
- Use to Push Objects During Translation or Rotation
- High-Strength Plastic Spring-Loaded Plunger
- Maximum Travel Range: 0.25" (6.35 mm)
- Maximum Spring Force: 0.65 lbf to 1.29 lbf (2.9 N to 5.7 N)
- Lockable Slip-On Collar Design Attaches to Ø1/2" Posts
The APM06(/M) Spring-Loaded Plunger is used to firmly hold an object against a fixed stop, such as the APM04, or an adjustable positioner, such as the APM01 or APM03. It can be used individually or in combination with the APM02 Contact Block and APM04 Fixed Stop to create more complex and modular fine-adjustment systems.
When used to oppose an adjustable positioner, the spring-loaded plunger provides a counterforce that will allow for bidirectional travel. This is shown in the photo to the right, where a downward force is being applied into the APM06 Plunger from an APM03 Positioner. This setup will allow the post to be translated upwards or downwards over the 0.25" (6.35 mm) translation range of the plunger.
The slip-on collar design fits around the outer diameter of a Ø1/2" post and can be locked in place using the side located 1/4"-20 (M6) brass-tipped setscrew that has a 1/8" (3.0 mm) hex.
ZoomClick for Details
An APM02 Contact Block is shown being used with the APM04 Fixed Stop to create a rotation stop. The APM02 is also maintaining the post height.
- Use as an Intermediary Surface for an Object Being Translated
- Five Hardened Steel Contact Pads Aid in Positioning Components
- Lockable Slip-On Collar Design Attaches to Ø1/2" Posts
The APM02(/M) Contact Block is used as an intermediary component when a flat surface is needed to translate or rotate an optic or mount. It features a total of five contact pads on the top, bottom, and sides for ease and flexibility of use.
As shown in the photo to the right, the APM02 can be used with our stops to create a reference edge or corner. This is ideal for applications that require repeatable positioning. It can also be used as a flat contact point when translating or rotating a post using the APM01 or APM03 adjustable positioners.
The slip-on collar design fits around the outer diameter of a Ø1/2" post and can be locked in place using the side located 1/4"-20 (M6) brass-tipped setscrew that has a 1/8" (3.0 mm) hex.
Zoom- Use with 3/16"-120 Hex Adjusters
- Clearance Hole Allows Access to Adjuster's Hex Socket
- Available in 2 Sizes
- Knurled Knob Increases Adjustment Sensitivity
The F19MSK1 and F19MSK1L Removable Adjustment Knobs thread onto our 3/16"-120 F19MS series adjusters to allow adjustment without the use of a hex key. This provides quick and easy adjustments for a broad range of applications. The adjuster knobs are available in two sizes: standard (Ø0.41") and large (Ø0.71").
Kinematic Positioners