Getting Started Using the Cage System Components Kit

Parts List | Application Examples

The TECHSPEC Cage System Components Kit is an excellent introduction to the TECHSPEC Optical Cage System: a collection of plates, rods, mounts, and additional optomechanical components designed to simplify optical system setup. Created to include many of the TECHSPEC Optical Cage System's most popular components, the TECHSPEC Cage System Components Kit is an ideal single-purchase solution to creating simple optical cage system setups, or for use as a building block for more complicated designs. Step-by-step instructions and parts lists are available to show how to use a TECHSPEC Cage System Components Kit to create common optical systems.

Parts List

Image	Usage	Description	Stock No.	Quantity
TECHSPEC Cage System Components Kit Contents
	Basic Cage Construction Plate with M6 tapped hole	25mm Standard Cage Mounting Plate 30mm Standard Cage Mounting Plate	#85-632 #85-630	8 8
	Interface for cage sphere and provides larger rod spacing than standard plate	30mm Square Mounting Plate	#85-737	2
	Used to introduce 30°, 60°, or 90° bends in the optical path	30mm Angle Plate	#85-622	2
	Allows additions to a cage system without the need for disassembling the rods	Insertion Plate	#85-643	1
	Easily swap filters within a cage system	Filter Holder Plate Interchangeable Filter Holder	#86-018 #85-649	1 2
	Cage System Adapter Plate	Adapts 30mm rod spacing of other cage systems to the TECHSPEC Optical Cage System	#86-846	2
	Allows for easy interface to C-mount components	C-Mount Adapter	#85-719	4
	Cube for intersecting optical paths	Cage Sphere w/ 43mm Port 30mm Port Cover	#85-624 #85-627	1 1
	Used to connect cage plates at 90° angles	Plate Corner Connector	#85-664	8
	Lens mounts designed to fit into cage plates	12.5mm Dia. Lens Mount 12.7mm Dia. Lens Mount w/10mm Thick 25/25.4mm Dia. Lens Mount 25/25.4mm Lens Mount w/10mm Thick 25mm Simple Optic Mount	#85-549 #85-547 #85-587 #85-588 #85-605	2 2 2 2 1
	Cube beamsplitter mount fits within 25mm cage plates	25/25.4mm Cube Beamsplitter Mount	#85-688	1
	Polished 440 stainless steel rods for basic cage construction	6mm Dia. 50mm Length Cage Rod 6mm Dia. 100mm Length Cage Rod 6mm Dia. 120mm Length Cage Rod 6mm Dia. 150mm Length Cage Rod 6mm Dia. 300mm Length Cage Rod	#85-486 #85-488 #85-489 #85-490 #85-492	2 4 6 6 4
	Block beam path or to customize a simple mount	Blank Disk	#85-539	1
	Used to lock 6mm rods in place or secure optic mounts and accessories	M3 x 0.5 x 2.5mm Socket Head Set Screw M3 x 0.5 x 6mm Socket Head Set Screw M3 x 0.5 x 10mm Socket Head Cap Screw	– – –	100 50 50
	Tools for cage assembly	Allen Key for M3 SHSS (2 Pack) Allen Key for M3 SHCS (2 Pack)	#55-452 #57-445	1 1
	Optical Component Cabinet	Storage cabinet for the cage system components kit	#59-815	1

Figure 1: Animation of Constructing an Optical Cage System Cube

Figure 2: Animation of Constructing an Optical Cage System Angle Bracket Joint

Figure 3: Illustration of Optical Cage System Plate with Four 6mm Support Rods

Figure 4: Video of Integrating a Four-Rod Insertion Plate

Figure 5: Video of Integrating a Filter Holder Plate and Interchangeable Filter Holder

APPLICATION EXAMPLES

Michelson Interferometer

Combined with just a few additional optical cage components, some optics, and a laser source, the TECHSPEC Cage System Components Kit can be used to build a Michelson interferometer. Complete assembly instructions and parts list are available.

Additional Optical Cage Components Needed	Stock No.	Quantity
Additional Components to Build A Michelson Interferometer
Fine Screw Kinematic 30mm Cage Mounting Plate	#85-663	1
25.4mm Kinematic Mount	#85-695	1
Micrometer-Anvil Assembly	#85-618	1
Micrometer Head 13mm Travel	#58-659	1
Optics
25mm 50R/50T Cube Beamsplitter	#32-505	1
Plano-Concave (PCV) Lens, 25mm Diameter x -25 FL, VIS 0° Coating	#47-911	1
λ/10 Mirror, 30mm Diameter, Silver Coating	#84-441	1
Nd:YAG Laser Line Mirror 25mm Dia. 532nm 0°	#47-973	1
Laser Source
Diode Beam Expander: Dovetail Adapter	#58-275	1
Laser Diode Module 5mW 514nm	#86-848	1
12V DC Power Supply	#62-941	1
C-Mount Accessory Mount	#56-869	1
Mounting Hardware
Stainless Steel Mounting Post, 50.8mm length, M6 Stud	#59-759	2
Post Holder, 50.8mm Length, M6 Thread	#58-972	2
Bench Plate, 300mm x 150mm	#56-937	1

Fluorescence Microscope

With a few additional optical components, imaging equipment, mounting hardware, and an illuminator, the TECHSPEC Cage System is ideal for building a digital fluorescence microscope. Complete assembly instructions and parts list are available.

Additional Optical Cage Components Needed	Stock No.	Quantity
Table 3: Additional Components to A Digital Fluorescence Microscope
Square Tip/Tilt Optic Mount	#85-710	1
25.4mm Dia. Adapter for 85-710	#85-630	1
Micrometer Mount Kit	#85-618	1
Micrometer Head 13mm Travel	#58-659	1
Optics
25mm Dia. Dichroic Filter	Application Dependent	1
Fluorescence Bandpass Filters	Application Dependent	2
25mm Dia. x 25mm Efl. Achromatic Lens	#65-553	1
25mm Dia. x 20mm Efl. Aspheric Lens	#66-014	1
Imaging
EO-3112C ½" CMOS Color USB Camera	#59-367	1
5m USB2.0 (mini-B to standard-A) Cable	#59-382	1
5X Mitutoyo Plan Apo Infinity Corrected Long WD Objective	#46-143	1
MT-1 Accessory Tube Lens	#54-774	1
Illumination
0.316" ID, Fiber Optic Adapter SX-6	#38-944	2
¼" x 24", Flexible Fiber Optic Light Guide	#42-346	1
115V AC 50/60HZ, MH-100 Illuminator	#56-371	1
220V AC 50/60HZ, MH-100 Illuminator	#56-372	1
Mounting and Baffling
C-Mount Fine Thread Extension Tube (30mm-50mm Length)	#03-625	1
C-Mount Extension Tube (50mm Length)	#54-632	1
C-Mount Extension Tube (100mm Length)	#54-633	1
Mitutoyo to C-Mount 10mm Adapter	#55-743	1
Mitutoyo MT-1/MT-2 C-Mount Adapter	#58-329	1