THORLABS MTS Series Brushed DC Motorized Translation Stage User Manual

MTS Series
Brushed DC Motorized
Translation Stages

MTS Series DC Motorized Translation Stages

Chapter 1 Overview

1.1 Introduction
The compact, motorized MTS Series stages feature a dual set of linear rails with continuously recirculating ball bearings on a moveable carriage. This mechanism provides smooth, low friction movement and ensures high load capacity.
The drive power is provided by a brushed DC servo motor. A built-in hall effect encoder provides 34,555 counts per revolution and a single encoder count represents 29 nm of motion; the actual minimum repeatable incremental movement of the stage itself is 0.8 µm.
The addition of limit switches on the stage ensures controlled motion within the parameters of the unit and prevents overdriving in both directions. Two travel ranges are available: 25 mm (1″) and 50 mm (2″). The stages are configurable in XY, XZ, and XYZ in both left- and right-handed configurations using spacer plates (MTS25B-Z8 and MTS50B-Z8) and angle brackets (MTS25C-Z8 and MTS50C-Z8) available separately. Base plates (MTS25A-Z8 and MTS50A-Z8) allow the stages to be bolted directly to an optical table. For added flexibility, both sizes of travel stages can be configured together.
For attachment to other stages or fittings, please contact Tech Support.

Chapter 2 Safety

2.1 Safety Information
For the continuing safety of the operators of this equipment, and the protection of the equipment itself, the operator should take note of the Warnings, Cautions and Notes throughout this handbook and, where visible, on the product itself.
The following safety symbols may be used throughout the handbook and on the equipment itself.
Warning: Risk of Electrical Shock
Given when there is a risk of injury from electrical shock.
Warning
Given when there is a risk of injury to users.
Caution
Given when there is a risk of damage to the product.
Note
Clarification of an instruction or additional information.
2.2 General Warnings
Warning
If this equipment is used in a manner not specified by the manufacturer, the protection provided by the equipment may be impaired. Excessive moisture may impair operation.
Spillage of fluid, such as sample solutions, should be avoided. If spillage does occur, clean up immediately using absorbent tissue. Do not allow spilled fluid to enter the internal mechanism.

Chapter 3 Installation

Note
Retain the packing in which the unit was shipped, for use in future transportation.
Caution
Once removed from its packaging, the stage can be easily damaged by mishandling. The unit should only be handled by its base, not by any attachments to the moving platform.
3.1 Environmental Conditions
Warning
Operation outside the following environmental limits may adversely affect operator safety.
Location: Indoor use only
Maximum altitude: 2000 m
Temperature range: 5 to 40 °C
Maximum Humidity: Less than 80% RH (non-condensing) at 31°C To ensure reliable operation the unit should not be exposed to corrosive agents or excessive moisture, heat or dust.
If the unit has been stored at a low temperature or in an environment of high humidity, it must be allowed to reach ambient conditions before being powered up.
The unit must not be used in an explosive environment.
3.2 Mounting
3.2.1 Invalidation of Warranty
Caution
The moving platform features a locking screw for the anti-backlash nut inside the stage. This locking screw, highlighted in Fig 3.1, is set during assembly at the factory and must not be removed or adjusted. Tampering with this screw will invalidate the warranty.

3.2.2 General
The MTS series stages can be mounted horizontally or vertically using the base plates, spacer plates and angle brackets previously mentioned – see Section 1.1.
When mounting the stage close to other equipment, ensure that the travel of the moving platform is not obstructed. If equipment mounted on the moving platform is driven against a solid object, damage to the internal mechanism could occur. The range of travel is: MTS25 stages: 25 mm, MTS50 stages: 50 mm
Caution
The stages are set up and calibrated at the factory and no further adjustment is necessary.
Do not allow screws or other objects to protrude through the top platform as this could damage the internal mechanism.
When mounting components, or fitting the stage within an application, do not apply excessive pressure to the moving platform as this may damage the bearing mechanism.
Note
The MTS series stages can quickly be assembled into XY, XZ, YZ and XYZ configurations – see Section 3.2.4. and Section 3.2.5. The brackets and plates are supplied complete with dowels, which ensure an accurate, orthogonal assembly, and all bolts.
3.2.3 Connecting The Motor Driver
Caution
It is recommended that the MTS series stages be driven by the Thorlabs KDC101 DC Servo Motor Driver. If the stage is being driven by any other driver or controller, consult Section 6.1. for motor pin out details and Chapter 5 for details of the motor specification.
The stage is supplied with 0.5m (1.6 ft) of cable and is terminated in a 15 pin D-Type connector. This is compatible with the MOTOR drive terminal of the KDC101 K- Cube DC driver unit – see Fig. 3.2 below. A 2.5 m (8.2 ft) extension cable (PAA632) is available on request.

3.2.4 Fitting and Removing the Base Plate
Referring to Fig. 3.3, proceed as follows:

1. Fit the dowels supplied to the base plate (MTS25A-Z8 or MTS50A-Z8).
2. Position the stage on the base plate, ensuring that the dowels locate correctly in the holes in the lower surface of the stage.
3. Fit the four bolts supplied M3 x 10 (4-40 x 1/2”) through the holes in the underside of the base plate and tighten to secure the stage in place.
4. Fit two of the bolts supplied M6 x 10 (1/4-20 x 3/8”) through each end of the base plate to fix the stage to the work surface.
5. To remove the base plate, reverse the procedure above.

3.2.5 Building an XY Configuration
Referring to Fig. 3.4, proceed as follows:

1. Fit the dowels supplied to the moving platform of the lower stage.
2. Note the orientation of the spacer plate in the drawing below, then fit the spacer plate (MTS25B-Z8 or MTS50B-Z8) to the moving platform of the lower stage, ensuring that the dowels locate correctly in the holes and protrude through the top surface of the spacer plate.
3. Fit the four bolts supplied M3 x 6 (4-40 x 1/4”), through the holes in the spacer plate, and tighten to secure the plate in place.
4. Fit the Y-axis stage into place ensuring that the dowels in the spacer plate locate correctly in the holes in the lower surface of the stage.
5. Fit the four bolts supplied M3 x 6 (4-40 x 1/4”) through the holes in the underside of the spacer plate and screw into the base of the upper stage.
6. Tighten the bolts to secure the stage in place.
7. Fit the base plate to the X-axis (lower) stage and bolt the assembly to the worksurface as detailed in Section 3.2.4.

3.2.6 Building an XYZ Configuration
Assemble an XY configuration as detailed in Section 3.2.5. then, referring to Fig. 3.5, proceed as follows:

1. Fit the shorter dowels supplied, into the moving platform on the upper stage of the XY assembly.
2. Fit the angle bracket (MTS25C-Z8 or MTS50C-Z8) onto the moving platform of the stage, ensuring that the dowels fitted at item (1) locate correctly in the holes on the underside of the angle bracket.
3. Fit the four bolts supplied M3 x 12 (4-40 x 1/2”), through the holes in the base of the angle bracket and tighten to secure the bracket to the XY assembly.
4. Fit the longer dowels supplied to the underside of the base on the vertical-axis stage.
5. Fit the vertical-axis stage into place ensuring that the dowels fitted at item (4) locate correctly into the holes in the back surface of the angle bracket.
6. Fit the four bolts supplied M3 x 12 (4-40 x 1/2”), through the holes in the angle bracket, and screw into the base of the vertical-axis stage.
7. Tighten the bolts to secure the stage in place.
8. Fit the base plate to the X-axis (lower) stage and bolt the assembly to the worksurface as detailed in Section 3.2.4.

3.3 Transportation
Caution
When packing the unit for shipping, use the original packing. If this is not available, use a strong box and surround the unit with at least 100 mm of shock absorbent material.
3.4 Dimensions
3.4.1 MTS Dimensions
All dimensions are given in the format: inches (mm)

Caution
The stages are set up and calibrated at the factory and no further adjustment is necessary. Do not allow screws or other objects to protrude through the top platform as this could damage the internal mechanism.

Chapter 4 Operation

4.1 General
Caution
The MTS series stages form part of the Thorlabs Nano positioning system. We recommend they are driven by the Thorlabs KDC101 K-Cube Brushed DC Servo Motor Driver. If the stage is being driven by any other driver or controller, consult Section 6.1. for motor pin out details and Chapter 5 for details of the motor specification.
The stages are set up and calibrated at the factory and no further adjustment is necessary. Do not allow screws or other objects to protrude through the top platform as this could damage the internal mechanism.
The stages are connected to the controller via a flying lead terminated in a D-type connector.
Warning
The controller must be switched OFF before the stages are plugged in or unplugged. Failure to switch the controller off may result in damage to either the controller, the stage, or both.
For a complete tutorial on using the stage with a motor controller, see the relevant controller manual. Basic steps in controlling the stage are as follows:

1. Perform the mechanical installation as detailed in Section 3.2.

2. Connect the stage to the DC motor driver – see Section 3.2.3.

3. Connect the driver to the main supply and switch ‘ON’.

4. Connect the driver unit to your PC.
   Note
   The USB cable should be no more than 3 meters in length. Communication lengths more than 3 meters can be achieved by using a powered USB hub.

5. When using the stages in conjunction with the recommended Thorlabs KDC101 controllers, two software options are available: Kinesis ® and APT™. The initial start-up routine is essentially the same in both cases, using the respective GUIs shown in Figure 4.1 and 4.2. These are activated by running: Start/Programs/Thorlabs/APT User/APT User for the APT GUI Start/Programs/Thorlabs/Kinesis/Kinesis for the Kinesis GUI .

6. Check that the correct stage/actuator has been read, as displayed on the GUI (bottom right for Kinesis; bottom left for APT). If it hasn’t, the stage may not operate correctly, and a manual intervention will be required (for details, refer to the relevant KDC101 controller handbook).

7. Move the stage to its home position by pressing “Home” on the GUI, to establish the zero-datum point. Pay special attention to the Caution note below with regards to not using the jog buttons for this operation.
   Caution
   During item (7) the stage should be homed using the button on the GUI panel. Do not jog the stage to the zero-position using the jog buttons as this could establish a false zero datum; there is also a risk that the stage could overshoot its end stops and become stuck. The stage is now ready for use and/or implementation of parameter changes, as detailed in the relevant Kinesis/APT manual for the KDC101 controller.

Chapter 5 Specifications

5.1 Stage Specifications

or Later

a. This represents 1 encoder count.
5.2 Motor Specifications

How to Calculate the Linear Displacement per Encoder Count
For the Z8 series motors, there are 512 encoder counts per revolution of the motor.
The output shaft of the motor goes into a 67.49:1 planetary gear head. This requires the motor to rotate 67.49 times to rotate the 1.0 mm pitch lead screw once (i.e. advance the position by 1.0 mm).
To calculate the linear displacement of the actuator per encoder count: 512 x 67.49 = 34,555 encoder counts per revolution of the lead screw Linear displacement of the lead screw per encoder count is: 1.0 mm / 34,555 counts = 2.9 x 10
-5 mm (29 nm)

Chapter 6 Motor Pin Out Details & Associated Parts

6.1 Motor Connector Pin Out
The Motor cable is terminated in a 15 way D-type connector, which provides connection to the DC motor controller. The pin functions are detailed in Fig. 6.1.

6.2 Associated Products
Fig. 6.1 Motor Connector Pin Descriptions

Note. All the above parts fit both imperial and metric products.

Chapter 7 Regulatory

7.1 Declarations Of Conformity
7.1.1 For Customers in Europe
See Section 7.2.
7.1.2 For Customers In The USA
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense. Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the company could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
7.2 CE Certificates

Chapter 8 Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts

For technical support or sales inquiries, please visit www.thorlabs.com/contact for our most up- to-date contact information.

USA, Canada, and South America
Thorlabs, Inc.
sales@thorlabs.com
techsupport@thorlabs.com
Europe
Thorlabs GmbH
europe@thorlabs.com
France
Thorlabs SAS
sales.fr@thorlabs.com
Japan
Thorlabs Japan, Inc.
sales@thorlabs.jp
UK and Ireland
Thorlabs Ltd.
sales.uk@thorlabs.com
techsupport.uk@thorlabs.com
Scandinavia
Thorlabs Sweden AB
scandinavia@thorlabs.com
Brazil
Thorlabs Vendas de Fotônicos Ltda.
brasil@thorlabs.com
China
Thorlabs China
chinasales@thorlabs.com
Thorlabs verifies our compliance with the WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) directive of the European Community and the corresponding national laws. Accordingly, all end users in the EC may return “end of life” Annex I category electrical and electronic equipment sold after August 13, 2005 to Thorlabs, without incurring disposal charges. Eligible units are marked with the crossed out “wheelie bin” logo (see right), were sold to and are currently owned by a company or institute within the EC, and are not dissembled or contaminated. Contact Thorlabs for more information. Waste treatment is your own responsibility. “End of life” units must be returned to Thorlabs or handed to a company specializing in waste recovery. Do not dispose of the unit in a litter bin or at a public waste disposal site.

www.thorlabs.com

Documents / Resources

| THORLABS MTS Series Brushed DC Motorized Translation Stage [pdf] User Manual
52, MTS Series Brushed DC Motorized Translation Stage, MTS Series, Brushed DC Motorized, Motorized Motorized, Translation Stage Motorized
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References

• Thorlabs, Inc. - Your Source for Fiber Optics, Laser Diodes, Optical Instrumentation and Polarization Measurement & Control
• Thorlabs - Your Source for Fiber Optics, Laser Diodes, Optical Instrumentation and Polarization Measurement & Control.

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