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OpticalSubsystems

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Just as electronic breadboards often rely on integrated circuits (notably OpAmps), external power, and test equipment, optical tables also benefit from more than simple packaged lenses. Here we document the optical tools available at HacDC, many of which are self-made.

Source files are kept at https://github.com/HacDC/HacDCOptics .

Tools

Complex drop-in optical systems, ready to create or analyze complex light fields.

WideBeam

A wide beam of high-intensity collimated light is useful for manually checking the results of complicated optical beampaths. Work in progress for 2" and 8" optical axis modules.

DLPMod

HacDC has access to some DLP projectors, absent working light sources. These can be used as re-configurable image sources and high-speed light gates.

Lasers

Variety of 2" optical axis laser mounting hardware in progress.

Fixtures

Generic mounting hardware.

Tilt and Roll Platform

Even if we could afford them, commercial systems are too expensive to permanently dedicate to completed projects (~$500). Instead, we will 3D print or laser-cut a screw-adjusted spring-loaded platform, much the same as the adjustable bed used by many 3D printers.

Elements

Spatial Filter

Work in progress for 2" optical axis modules, with varying diameter pinholes.

Standards

External

Standards set for us by manufacturers.

Internal

Standards we have elected to follow from the above, or have established ourselves, as we build our own tooling.

mirage335

These standards are chosen to permit quick transition between optical table, rail, and cage systems, with only small height-adding brackets.

Stage

Stages directly connecting to extrusions are named "Series20/40/60" depending on the minimum width in millimeters. For instance Series40 mounts require two screws, 20mm apart, and have a maximum width of 40mm, all suitable for mounting on typical 20x40mm extrusions.

Substages mounted to an earlier kinematic stage or bare baseplate must fit around the rectangular opening for that series.

By default, these standards conform to the "Small" standard under "Optical Table Axis Heights".

Series Axis Height Opening MaxThickness Notes
TinySeries20 15mm 14x14mm 6mm Specialized non-standard axis height.
Series20 35mm 14x14mm 6mm Specialized non-standard axis height.
Series40 30.8mm 18x28mm 6mm
Series60 30.8mm 28x38mm 2mm

Mounting Holes

Tolerances intended for well-calibrated 3D printers.

Table
  • Screw diameter - 6mm (M6) to 6.35mm (¼in UNC) .
  • Hole spacing - 25mm (metric) to 25.4mm (1in imperial) .
  • Hole size - 8mm .
  • Hole spacing - 25.2 mm .
Extrusion
  • Screw diameter - 5mm (M5) .
  • Hole spacing - 20mm .
  • Hole size - 5.5mm .
  • Hole spacing - 20.25mm .

Optical Table Axis Heights

Standard axis heights are based upon typical hardware for 1" grid optical tables. Mounts for other arrangements, such as a 20series extrusions, should use corespondingly lower heights. Options to mount such hardware to a standard table through intermediate stages, such as 20series extrusions themselves, should be preserved.

Small axis height is typical, and should be assumed unless noted otherwise.

Element Size TableHeight ExtrusionHeight Comments
Small 2in/50.8mm 30.8mm Intended for lenses up to 1" high, including salvaged projector, disposable camera, and microscope components.
Large 8in/203.2mm 183.2mm Accommodates larger lenses, particularly for light gathering and projection systems.
ExtraLarge 13in/330.2mm 310.2mm Accommodates modest Fresnel lenses.

Optical Cage Square Lengths

Element Size Height
Small 30mm/1.1811"
Medium 60mm/2.3622"
Large 6.25"

Reference

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