3-Rod Kit for Zygo Certified Systems: Setup and Use

By Zygo | Published: 2026-11-03

Category: How-to Guides

A practical 3-rod kit setup guide for Zygo Certified systems: how to install the rods in a Vertical Workstation Kit, check alignment, and avoid common mistakes.

Quick answer

Install the three 1.5 m rods into your Vertical Workstation Kit’s baseplate and grey unit, then verify that each rod is fully seated and evenly tensioned before running a measurement. The 3-Rod Kit is a component set for that workstation, so setup is about correct integration rather than standalone assembly.

Why the 3-Rod Kit is a workstation component, not a standalone accessory

The Zygo 3-Rod Kit (SKU SUN253RK-01) is listed as a component set for the Vertical Workstation Kit. That means the rods are designed to work with the baseplate and grey unit 6500-0166-16R already in your workstation. If you are missing either of those parts, the rods alone will not create a stable setup. Check your workstation kit contents before starting.

What to check before you install the rods

Confirm you have three rods, each 1.5 m long, and that the baseplate and grey unit are clean and undamaged. Because the catalog does not specify rod diameter, thread type, or torque values, avoid guessing: use the hardware and seating method already provided with your Vertical Workstation Kit. If your kit documentation lists a specific insertion order or fastener, follow that instead of improvising.

Step-by-step 3-rod kit setup

Prepare the workstation: Place the baseplate on a stable surface and locate the grey unit 6500-0166-16R. Clean the rod mounting points and confirm the workstation is level. Common mistake: starting assembly while the baseplate is on an uneven bench, which makes later alignment checks unreliable. A level, clean baseplate prevents false alignment errors later.
Insert the first rod: Seat one 1.5 m rod into its baseplate mount and guide the top into the corresponding point on the grey unit. Do not force it; the rod should enter smoothly. Checkpoint: the rod should stand without hand support once seated. If the rod binds, stop and check for debris or a misaligned mount.
Add the second and third rods: Repeat the insertion for the remaining two rods, working around the frame rather than tightening one side fully first. Keep all fasteners finger-tight until all three rods are in place. Common mistake: fully tightening the first rod before the others are seated, which can rack the frame. Finger-tight until all three rods are seated keeps the frame square.
Check rod seating and even tension: Verify that each rod is fully seated at both ends and that no rod is visibly bowed or stressed. Tighten fasteners in small increments, alternating between rods. Because the catalog does not list a torque specification, use the seating method from your workstation documentation and stop when the rod is secure without deformation. Even, gradual tightening matters more than a specific torque number when none is supplied.
Verify alignment before measurement: With all three rods installed, check that the frame is square and that the grey unit sits parallel to the baseplate. Run a simple alignment check with your interferometer or follow your workstation’s standard verification procedure. Common mistake: skipping this check and assuming the rods are aligned because they are tight. A quick alignment check after installation saves rework during measurement.

Product facts

3- Rod Kit: The kit includes three rods, each listed at 1.5 m in length. Three equal-length rods support a symmetrical workstation frame, so check that all three are present and the same length before assembly.
3- Rod Kit