HTAC-RC-01 Sliding Mount for Precision Optical Alignment

Overview

The HTAC-RC-01 Sliding Mount is a manually actuated, kinematically stable optical positioning stage engineered for sub-millimeter linear translation in laboratory and industrial optical alignment applications. Designed according to standard 30 mm or 60 mm optical rail compatibility (M4 and M6 threaded mounting holes), it implements a precision-ground aluminum alloy base with a low-profile dovetail slider mechanism and dual locking screws—ensuring repeatable positioning with minimal angular deviation (< 50 µrad per 10 mm travel). Its mechanical architecture follows classical optical mount design principles: rigid monolithic construction minimizes thermal drift and vibration coupling, while the friction-based sliding interface provides tactile control without backlash or hysteresis—critical for iterative beam path optimization in interferometry, spectroscopy, and laser cavity alignment setups.

Key Features

• Linear travel range: 25 mm (standard configuration), extendable via modular rail integration
• Material: Anodized 6061-T6 aluminum alloy—corrosion-resistant, non-magnetic, and compatible with vacuum environments up to 10⁻³ mbar (with optional sealing)
• Mounting interface: Dual-row M4 threaded holes on base plate (pitch: 25 mm); top platform features M4 and 1/4″-20 tapped holes for universal adapter compatibility
• Position retention: Dual independent locking screws (knurled brass thumbscrews) provide simultaneous clamping of slider and base—eliminating creep under static load
• Surface flatness: ≤ 5 µm over full travel length; parallelism tolerance between slider and base: ±2 arcmin
• No lubrication required; maintenance-free operation across temperature range of −20 °C to +60 °C

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The HTAC-RC-01 is intended for mounting optical components weighing ≤ 1.2 kg, including mirrors (up to Ø50 mm), lens tubes, fiber collimators, and photodetector mounts. It complies with ISO 10110-7 (optical element mounting interfaces) dimensional conventions and conforms to RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU for hazardous substance restrictions. While not certified to IEC 61326-1 (EMC for laboratory equipment), its passive mechanical design ensures electromagnetic neutrality—making it suitable for use adjacent to sensitive detectors, lock-in amplifiers, and low-noise photoreceivers. For GLP/GMP-aligned laboratories, traceable calibration reports (position repeatability ±1.5 µm over 100 cycles) are available upon request and may be integrated into instrument qualification protocols (IQ/OQ).

Software & Data Management

As a purely manual mechanical stage, the HTAC-RC-01 does not incorporate electronic actuators, encoders, or onboard firmware. Consequently, it requires no driver installation, firmware updates, or software dependency. Position data logging must be performed externally using calibrated digital calipers, laser displacement sensors (e.g., Keyence LK-G series), or vision-based metrology systems. When deployed within automated optical benches (e.g., Thorlabs Kinesis-controlled platforms), the HTAC-RC-01 serves as a fixed reference stage—its deterministic mechanical behavior enabling accurate error budgeting in multi-axis alignment workflows. Documentation includes English-language mechanical drawings (ISO 128-compliant), GD&T annotations, and material certification per EN 573-3.

Applications

• Beam height adjustment in free-space optical cavities and Mach–Zehnder interferometers
• Iterative focus tuning for confocal microscopy illumination paths
• Coarse lateral alignment of fiber-to-free-space couplers prior to piezo fine-stage engagement
• Positioning of aperture stops and field masks in Fourier plane filtering systems
• Educational optics labs: quantitative study of image plane shift vs. object distance in thin-lens experiments
• Integration into OEM optomechanical subassemblies where cost-sensitive, high-reliability manual translation is required

FAQ

Is the HTAC-RC-01 compatible with Thorlabs and Newport rails?
Yes—the base plate’s M4 hole pattern matches standard 30 mm center-to-center rail spacing used by Thorlabs (e.g., TR series) and Newport (e.g., M-48x series). Adapters are not required.
Can it be used in ultra-high-vacuum (UHV) environments?
Not in standard configuration. UHV use requires vacuum-compatible anodization removal, stainless steel fasteners, and outgassing validation per ASTM E595; contact technical support for modified variants.
What is the maximum load capacity at full extension?
1.2 kg centered load with ≤ 0.02 mm deflection; off-center loads reduce effective capacity proportionally per cantilever moment analysis.
Does HT provide calibration certificates?
Yes—NIST-traceable position repeatability reports (per ISO 9283) are available as an add-on service with lead time of 5 business days.
Are custom engraving or anodization colors available?
Standard black anodizing only. Custom RAL color anodizing is offered for orders ≥ 50 units with minimum order value of USD 3,500.