CNC for Optical Mounts

Laser optics.
Microscope precision.
Telescope hardware.

CNC machining for optical instrument manufacturers: laser optics mounts, microscope objective holders, telescope tube components, interferometer benches, spectrometer hardware. Sub-micron tolerance, Invar 36 for thermal stability, black anodize for stray light reduction.

Optical Mounts Quote Invar material

±0.005 mm Invar low-CTE Black anodize Kinematic mounts

01 · Optical hardware

Optical mount categories.

Different optical systems have different requirements. Laser benches prioritize thermal stability. Microscopes prioritize dimensional precision. Telescopes prioritize mechanical rigidity and thermal management.

Laser optics mounts

Invar 36 · ±0.005 mm

Kinematic mounts for laser cavity optics. Invar 36 for thermal stability. Sub-micron position reproducibility.

Microscope stages

6061 · precision

Precision microscope translation stages, rotation stages, sample holders with micrometer-class motion.

Telescope tube components

6061 · anti-reflection

Telescope optical tube assemblies (OTA) components — baffles, stops, mirror cells.

Interferometer benches

Invar 36 · optical flat

Interferometer base plates, reference surfaces, fold mirror mounts.

Spectrometer hardware

6061 · precision slit

Spectrometer internals — grating mounts, slit assemblies, detector housings.

Camera mounts

6061 · thermal management

Scientific camera mounts, cooling baseplate, interface hardware.

Fiber optic hardware

6061 · vacuum fit

Fiber launch assemblies, collimator mounts, fiber couplers.

Beam splitter mounts

6061 · adjustable

Precision beam splitter and polarizer mounts with micrometer adjustment.

Vibration-damped mounts

Composite · optimized

Specialty vibration-isolating optical mounts for sensitive applications.

02 · Optical customers

Customers we support.

Laser system manufacturers

Industrial, medical, and research laser OEMs — mount and enclosure hardware

Microscope manufacturers

Research and industrial microscope manufacturers — stage and component hardware

Telescope builders

Amateur and professional telescope makers — custom OTA and mount components

Semiconductor lithography

ASML Tier-2/3 supply chain — optical stage and mount components

Spectrometer manufacturers

Scientific spectrometer OEMs — internal hardware

Quantum optics labs

University and research quantum optics labs — custom experimental hardware

National laboratories

Government research labs — beam line components, accelerator optics

Astronomical observatories

Professional observatory instrument hardware

Defense optical systems

Military optical systems — sighting, targeting, surveillance hardware

FAQ

Optical Mounts questions.

Invar 36 has near-zero thermal expansion (1.2 ppm/°C). When ambient temperature changes 10 °C, a 1m aluminum optical bench shifts 230 µm — enough to misalign precision optics. Same Invar bench shifts only 12 µm — within acceptable range for most precision optics. For stable optical alignment without active compensation, Invar is the material of choice. Trade-off: Invar is 5-8× aluminum cost and harder to machine.

Mounting surfaces (where optic sits): ±0.005 mm flatness critical for beam pointing accuracy. Adjustment mechanism screws: precision thread and repeatable motion. Reference datum surfaces: ±0.002 mm possible for kinematic mounts. Location of through-holes (for screws, dowel pins): ±0.01 mm. All CMM-verified. For highest-precision optics, individual component matching and documented measurement reports.

Black Type II anodize absorbs >95% of visible light at grazing angles — reduces stray light in optical systems. Standard for telescope interiors, laser cavity internals, spectrometer interiors. For ultimate blackness (99%+ absorption), specialty treatments like Acktar or Vantablack coatings available through partners. Standard Type II anodize adequate for most optical applications.

Kinematic mounts (Maxwell 3-groove or 3-V-groove): exact constraint of 6 DOF without over-constraint. Mount removal and replacement returns optic to same position within 10 µm. Used for interchangeable optics, quick-swap applications. Threaded mounts: simpler, cheaper, good enough for fixed installations. For research-grade interchangeable optics: kinematic. For production fixed optics: threaded.

Astronomical mirror cells require: back surface flat (for mirror support), radial arms designed for specific thermal/mechanical performance, whiffle-tree support geometry for mirrors over 400 mm. Complex 5-axis work. We build mirror cells from prototype through production for amateur telescope makers and research observatories. Typical materials: 6061 aluminum (amateur), Invar (critical research).

Standard optical mounts in aluminum: 7-14 days. Invar 36 optical hardware: 4-6 weeks (material + machining). Custom kinematic mounts: 2-3 weeks. Complete optical bench assemblies: 6-10 weeks. For research projects with specific conference or publication deadlines, rush service possible.