Our Open-Cage Optical Rail System will enable you more freedom in the construction of your optical setups. "Open" not only means easier access to your mounted optics but also means you can use the mounts you already have in your lab with this system. In contrast, many of the existing cage rail systems require you to buy dedicated mounts and accessories which can't be used elsewhere in your lab.
The Open-Cage system is comprised of connecting rods, which serve as guide rails, carrier elements, which hold post-mounted components and a connecting element for assembling the rods at 90-degree angles. The rods, which are provided in lengths from 50 mm up to 300 mm, are threaded at either end to allow them to be combined together for extended lengths.
Open Cage Connecting Rods link the mounting elements together.
There are three carrier elements that are used to interface post-mounted components to the connecting rods: the L-element, U-element and IL-element. Each one has multiple precision-bored holes to allow them to slide along the connecting rods as well as a single 0.5-in hole for holding standard mounting posts. Additionally, there are multiple counterbored holes to allow fixed mounting of a carrier to the connecting rods.
Model 9641 Open Cage L-element holding post-mounted lens
Model 9642 Open Cage U-element
The IL-element is identical to the L-element except that has two open slots, not holes, for interfacing to the connecting rods. The slots allow it to be inserted on and removed from the rods without having to disassemble the cage.
The Model 9644 Open Cage IL-element can be inserted into a setup without having to remove the rods.
The final element, the X-element, is used to connect rods at 90-degree angles. When used with an L-element, a post-mounted folding mirror can be located at the intersection of the two orthogonal optical paths.
Model 9643 Open Cage X-element enables right angle beam folding
The Open-Cage Kit will enable you to get started with our System. The kit includes three L-elements, three U-elements, two 100-mm length connecting rods, and four 250-mm connecting rods. Additional elements and rods can be ordered separately.
The Open Cage can be configured in many useful ways.
The Open Cage Optical Rail System, with its ability to incorporate standard, not specialized, post-mounted components, is ideal for making economical optical systems for research or prototyping applications.
To provide additional mount access, the Open Cage can be assembled as shown in this inverted configuration.
The "U" Elements are used to create this lage-sized optical setup which utilizes LT20 2-in. diameter lens tubes.
The Open Cage shown in a standard configuration using a variety of standard post-mounted optical elements. Note the V100-AX mirror mount enables 90-degree beam folding in this compact assembly.
