The Cage Assembly System provides a convenient way to construct large optomechanical systems using an established line of precision-machined building blocks that were designed for high flexibility and accurate alignment. See the “Cage Overview" tab for a full definition of this widely adapted construction standard.

Cage Assembly Plates are the primary mounting component used to house Cage Assembly Rods. In addition to this new series of 16mm Cage System Plates, Thorlabs also offers 30 mm and 60 mm Cage System Plates.

The 16 mm cage plates are a family of construction blocks ideally suited for assembling optical systems based upon Ø1/2" optical components. Each cage plate contains four corner-located, Ø4 mm through-holes with a center-to-center spacing of 16 mm. These holes are machined for a precision slip fit with mating Cage Rods and provide side-accessible locking screws that fasten the plate to their mating assembly rods for positioning.

Compatibility: Thorlabs offers 16 mm, 30 mm, and 60 mm cage systems designed for Ø1/2", Ø1", and Ø2" optical components, respectively. The parts on this page are compatible with our 16 mm cage system and utilize 4 mm SR cage rods.