Optical Lens Holder

We all love our friends at ThorLabs, but sometimes you just need a quick part and you don't have the cash or time to wait for one to arrive with your order of Lab Snacks. The solution, 3D printable optomechanics designed to print easily and reliably on any FDM 3D printer.

This component is a lens holder. Well, more broadly a cylindrical things holder. The lens holder features an optional alignment slot that locks directly into the alignment tab on the system M6 or 1/4-20 posts. Customizable for any angle from 0 to 45 degrees, this allows the angle of the lens relative to the front of the post to be fixed independently from the tightness of the M6 or 1/4-20 post mounting screw. A simple 3D printable cap protects your expensive glass from the triad of M3 or 8-32 locking screws.

Some standard sizes are included here for quick use and download using M3 screws. Screw tip caps are included for both M3 and 8-32 screw types. To customize the exact size, mounting nut type, or alignment angle you need visit the OnShape Configurator.

If you download your parts from OnShape, please download a version from here or drop a like here on Printables so that more people can find the system.

If you find the system useful, please share it with your colleagues. If it makes your lab easier or cheaper to setup, perhaps Buy Me a Coffee so I can continue to develop the system and keep it free and openly available under the Open Community License (OCL) with the General Attribution (GAtt) Plugin. . 

If you have any issues, please drop a comment or send me a message. Bug fixes and suggestions are greatly appreciated. You are also welcome to develop and upload your own components for the system! Just be sure to share them under OCL or any non-commercial, share-alike license of your choice.

Recommended Print Settings

The system is designed to be as simple to print as possible. No supports, no special materials, no slicer tricks. I started developing the system on a Prusa Mk3s and am now using a Snapmaker U1 and Prusa XL. General printing guidelines are as follows:

• Print in PLA for maximum rigidity and ease of printing. 

• Use PETG, PCTG, or Carbon Fiber reinforced filaments if you need higher temperature stability (staring at your combustion researchers).

• Use three perimeters with five top and bottom layers for best results.

• Designed for a 0.2 mm layer height, but there is not reason you couldn't got thicker or thinner. No particular reason to go smaller as details are designed for 0.2 sizing on a 0.4 mm nozzle.

• Infill is not critical here. I usually use 10% Adaptive Cubic. If you find yourself having warping problems, a non-linear infill type like Gyroid may be helpful.

• No support is needed.

• Orient lens holder parts with the retaining lip flat on the bed, as shown below.  

• Orient the screw end caps with the bottom lip on the bed, as shown below.

• Printing the screw caps in a flexible filament is ideal, but just PLA or PETG works well enough.

Part Numbering

• Lens-D<diameter in mm>-<alignment type>-<alignment angle in deg>-<nut type>

  • E.g. Lens-D100-A0-M3 is a 100 mm diameter lens with a 0 degree alignment slot (A0) and M3 locking nuts.

  • E.g. Lens-D25.4-U-8 is a 1 inch diameter lens holder with no alignment slot and 8-32 locking nuts.

• All models have a M6 or 1/4-20 sized counter-bored mounting hole for attaching to either the 3D printed posts in this system or your existing optical posts.

Assembly and Use Instructions

1. Insert nuts into the appropriate nut pockets. If the tolerance is tight, thread the nut into a screw to provide more leverage when inserting them, as shown in the photos below.

2. Any standard sized flat nut should fit. I sized based on parts ordered from Amazon.co.jp and McMaster.com dimensions.

3. Use a M6 or 1/4-20 screw to attach the lens holder to the appropriate length post before inserting the lens.

4. Place a screw cap on the end of each locking screw.

5. Insert the lens to sit flush on the lens ledge.

6. Circularly tighten the three M3 or 8-32 locking screws until they hold tight.

7. Remember, plastic is cheap, your time isn't. Don't kludge things together when you can just configure and print the exact size and type you need.

Configuration Parameters

• Thread Type: M3 or 8-32 locking nut types.

• Include Alignment Slot: Optionally include the alignment tab slot or not.

• Lens Diameter (mm): Diameter of the lens or cylindrical object being mounted.

  • Minimum diameter of 24 mm.

• Alignment Slot Angle (degrees): Angle of the alignment slot relative to the front face of the lens.

  • 0 to 45 degrees