Hanting HTRA05 500 mm Precision Linear Optical Translation Rail

Overview

The Hanting HTRA05 is a precision-engineered linear translation rail designed for stable, repeatable positioning in modular optical alignment systems. Constructed from high-strength 6061-T6 aluminum alloy and finished with hard-anodized surface treatment (≥25 µm thickness), the rail provides dimensional stability under thermal cycling and mechanical loading typical in laser interferometry, spectroscopic setup integration, and collimator alignment applications. Its 500 mm active travel length supports multi-stage optical path construction while maintaining coaxial alignment across integrated mounts. The rail operates on the principle of constrained linear motion via precision-machined dovetail guidance—eliminating lateral play and ensuring sub-5 µm repeatability per repositioning cycle when used with compatible HTAC-RC series carriages. It is not a motorized stage; rather, it serves as a passive, manually adjustable mechanical backbone for optical breadboard augmentation and custom optomechanical system assembly.

Key Features

• Integrated metric scale engraved directly onto the rail body, enabling direct visual readout of carriage positions with 0.5 mm graduation intervals and ±0.1 mm estimation capability
• Top-mounted precision dovetail interface (8 mm width, 3° angle) engineered to engage fully with HTAC-RC-series carriage dovetail slots, achieving ≤0.02 mm lateral runout after locking
• Surface hardness of ≥60 HV post-anodization ensures resistance to abrasion during repeated mounting/dismounting of kinematic mounts and lens holders
• Low coefficient of thermal expansion (23.6 × 10⁻⁶ /°C) minimizes axial drift during ambient temperature fluctuations within standard laboratory conditions (20–25 °C)
• Four M4 threaded holes (pitch = 25 mm) distributed along the base facilitate rigid fixation to optical tables or custom aluminum frames using standard cap screws

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The HTRA05 rail is compatible with all Hanting optical mounts featuring standardized dovetail receptacles—including HTAC-RC1, HTAC-RC2, and HTAC-RC3 translation stages—as well as third-party components adhering to the 8 mm × 3° dovetail specification (e.g., select Thorlabs and Standa-compatible carriers). It conforms to mechanical interface specifications outlined in ISO 10110-7 for optical component mounting systems and supports traceable alignment procedures required under GLP-compliant optical testing protocols. While not certified to ISO 9001 individually, its design and manufacturing process align with supplier quality management systems audited under IATF 16949 frameworks by Hanting’s OEM partners. No electrical or laser safety certification applies, as the rail is a passive mechanical component.

Software & Data Management

As a purely mechanical translation rail, the HTRA05 does not incorporate embedded electronics, sensors, or firmware. Position data acquisition must be performed externally using calibrated digital calipers, laser displacement sensors, or vision-based metrology tools. When integrated into automated optical benches, it may serve as a fixed reference axis for coordinate mapping in software environments such as MATLAB Optics Toolbox, Zemax OpticStudio (via user-defined mechanical constraints), or LabVIEW-based alignment control sequences. Audit trails for positional adjustments are maintained manually via lab notebook entries or digitally through LIMS-integrated documentation workflows compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when paired with electronic signature-capable systems.

Applications

• Coaxial beam path assembly in Raman spectrometer alignment rigs, where precise spacing between excitation optics, sample chamber, and collection fiber couplers is critical
• Staged collimation verification setups requiring incremental translation of pinholes or spatial filters along a common optical axis
• Modular interferometer configurations (e.g., Michelson or Mach–Zehnder variants) where path-length matching depends on reproducible carriage positioning
• Teaching laboratories implementing undergraduate optics curricula aligned with AAPT-recommended experiments on wavefront analysis and Gaussian beam propagation
• Integration into custom vacuum-compatible optical trains (when used with stainless steel fasteners and verified outgassing profiles)

FAQ

Is the HTRA05 rail compatible with non-Hanting optical mounts?

Yes—provided the mount features an 8 mm wide, 3° angled dovetail slot conforming to DIN 3160-2 mechanical interface standards.

Can this rail be used in vacuum environments?

It is not vacuum-rated out-of-the-box due to anodized surface porosity; however, post-treatment sealing or use with vacuum-compatible mounting hardware (e.g., VCR fittings and indium gaskets) has been validated in Class 10⁻⁶ mbar test chambers by academic users.

What is the maximum load capacity per carriage position?

Static load rating is 5 kg per carriage when uniformly distributed and mounted using all four base screws; dynamic loads exceeding 1.5 kg require supplemental lateral bracing.

Does the scale support interpolation for sub-millimeter positioning?

The engraved scale allows visual estimation to ±0.1 mm; for higher resolution, users routinely integrate external micrometers or capacitive displacement sensors referenced to the rail’s datum edge.

Is technical documentation available in English?

Yes—dimensional drawings, GD&T specifications, and material certificates (per EN 10204 3.1) are provided upon request to qualified institutional purchasers.