THORLABS DRV225 User manual

HA0397T
DRV225 and DRV250
Stepper Motor Actuators
User Guide
Original Instructions

Page 0 ETN043212-D02
DRV225 and DRV250 Stepper Motor Actuators
Contents
Chaper 1 Overview ................................................................................................................................. 1
1.1 Description ........................................................................................................................ 1
Chaper 2 Safety ...................................................................................................................................... 2
2.1 Safety Information ............................................................................................................. 2
2.2 General Warnings ............................................................................................................. 2
Chaper 3 Operation and Maintenance .................................................................................................. 4
3.1 Environmental Conditions ............................................................................................... 4
3.2 Fitting the Motor Actuator ................................................................................................ 4
3.3 Selecting the Stage Type ................................................................................................. 5
3.4 Maintenance ...................................................................................................................... 6
3.5 Pin Assignments ............................................................................................................... 7
3.6 Extension Cables .............................................................................................................. 7
Chaper 4 Specifications ......................................................................................................................... 8
4.1 Specifications .................................................................................................................... 8
4.2 How to Calculate the Linear Displacement ..................................................................... 8
Chaper 5 Regulatory .............................................................................................................................. 9
5.1 Declarations Of Conformity ............................................................................................. 9
5.1.1 For Customers in Europe .........................................................................................................9
5.1.2 For Customers In The USA ......................................................................................................9
Chaper 6 Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts ............................................................................................ 10

Rev B Jan 2020 Page 1
Chapter 1 Overview
Chapter 1 Overview
1.1 Description
These motor actuators offer 1" (25 mm) and 2” (50 mm) of travel, and when used with one of our stepper motor controllers, such
as the BSC201, can achieve a default maximum speed of 50 mm/s. They provide sufficient torque for large loads up to 180 N.
The hybrid stepper motor, with its rotor consisting of 50 individual magnetic teeth, is ideally suited for micro-stepping
applications. Aside from the obvious increase in resolution resulting from increasing the steps per revolution from 200 to
409,600, micro-stepping also ensures smoother low-speed motion by allowing the discrete 1.8º step size, which produces
mechanical noise, to be reduced to much smaller steps with inherently lower resultant vibrational noise, achieving a theoretical
minimum step size of 2.4 X 10-6 mm.
The Stepper Motor drive has been equipped with a trapezoidal screw thread for more efficient, high load operation than is
available from a standard threading.
The actuators are compatible with our 2" LNR50M and LNR50DD manual stages. To use the actuator with these stages,
remove the existing manual drive and mount the motor to the side of the stage using two M4 x 40 cap screws (included) - see
Section 3.2.
The knob on the rear shaft of the motor is an inertial damper. When the actuator is powered down, It can also be used to
position the actuator manually.
Note
Manually adjusting the actuator will cause the position to no longer be synchronized to the position display in the control
software - this can lead to overrunning travel limits unexpectedly. If the actuator is powered down and moved by hand, ensure
that it is homed immediately after power up.

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DRV225 and DRV250 Stepper Motor Actuators
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.
The following safety symbols may be used throughout the handbook and on the equipment itself.
2.2 General Warnings
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.
Warning
These Motorized Actuators can generate high forces. If handled improperly, they may cause injury. Be aware that failure
of the motor controller may drive the unit into a hard stop and cause damage to the unit.
To avoid injury never put anything in the gap between the Actuator and any rigid structure.
Because it can be software controlled it should be noted that this device could begin to move unexpectedly for a person
within its envelope of operation, who had not programmed the move.
Warning
The actuator may heat up when operated, and this is indicated by the warning hot surface symbol on the product
engraving.
Increased speeds, high duty cycles, and ambient temperature will all affect the temperature of the actuator. Special care
should be taken when handling the product under these conditions, in particular when touching the damping knob and
motor body.
Warning
If this equipment is used in a manner not specified in the handbook, the protection provided by the equipment may be
impaired. In particular, excessive moisture may impair operation.
Spillage of fluid, such as sample solutions, should be avoided. If spillage does occur, clean up immediately using
absorbant tissue. Do not allow spilled fluid to enter the internal mechanism.
The equipment is for indoor use only.
Caution
If the actuator encounters a hard stop while still in the middle of its range (i.e. a translation stage at the end of its travel
range), the motor should be stopped as soon as possible to prevent damage and to keep the unit from overheating

Rev B Jan 2020 Page 3
Chapter 2 Safety
Caution
When storing these units, be sure to fully retract the lead screw to protect the threads from damage. Improper connection
of the motor will result in permanent damage. All power supplied to the motor should be turned off before altering any
connections to the motor. Check all connections before supplying power to the motor.
Caution
The control PC used to operate the driver for the DRV225 and DRV250 actuators must be running Kinesis Software
version 1.14.20 or higher.
Earlier versions of software do not support this product.

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DRV225 and DRV250 Stepper Motor Actuators
Chapter 3 Operation and Maintenance
3.1 Environmental Conditions
Location Indoor use only
Maximum altitude 2000 m
Temperature range 5 to 40°C (41 to 104°F)
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 Fitting the Motor Actuator
The actuator is designed for fitting to an LNR50 series stage.
Referring to Fig. 3.1...
1) Loosen the mounting block actuator pinch bolts.
2) Remove the existing drive.
3) Loosen the actuator mounting block fixing bolts, and remove the mounting block together with its bolts.
4) Using the screws supplied with the motor, fit the motor actuator to the stage.
5) Adjust the actuator to its center position.
6) Loosen the push block pinch bolts and position the push block such that the stage is in its center of travel.
7) Tighten the push block pinch bolts.
Fig. 3.1 Fitting a motor drive
Caution
This unit is design for operation within normal operating conditions. It is not recommended to use this equipment outside
the following limits.
Caution
When a DRV225 or DRV250 motor actuator is fitted, the stage must be fitted with an LNR50P4(/M) baseplate before it
is fitted to the work surface - see www.thorlabs.com for more information. The legacy LNR50P1 baseplates are not
compatible with these motors.
3
2
5
4
67
1

Rev B Jan 2020 Page 5
Chapter 3 Operation and Maintenance
3.3 Selecting the Stage Type
To ensure that a particular stage is driven properly by the system, a number of parameters must first be set. These parameters relate
to the physical characteristics of the stage being driven (e.g. min and max positions, leadscrew pitch, homing direction etc.).
To assist in setting these parameters correctly, it is possible to associate a specific stage type and axis with the motor controller
channel. Once this association has been made, the server applies automatically, suitable default parameter values on boot up of the
software.
Using Kinesis Software
1) Install the electronic hardware and connect the modules to the relevant axes of the associated stages (see the handbooks
for the associated controller).
2) Ensure that the device is connected to the PC and powered up.
3) Run the Kinesis software - Start/All Programs/Thorlabs/Kinesis/Kinesis.
4) On start-up, the 'Actuator/Startup Settings’ window is displayed This window allows the correct actuator to be selected.
Fig. 3.2 Select Actuator Stage Settings Window - 1
Note
To ensure correct operation, it is important to select the correct stage and axis type as described above. Selecting an
incompatible stage/axis type could result in reduced velocity and/or resolution, and in the worst case could cause the motor
to run into the end stops or home incorrectly.

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DRV225 and DRV250 Stepper Motor Actuators
5) Click the arrow to the right of the window, and select the actuator type (i.e. DRV225 or DRV250) from the list displayed.
Fig. 3.3 Select Actuator Stage Settings Window - 2
6) Click OK.
7) The server reads in the stage and controller information automatically and loads default parameters set at the factory, i.e.
Max speed 20 mm/sec
Max acceleration 20 mm/sec/sec
Home switch Forward.
Refer to the handbook for the associated controller for more information on driving the actuator.
3.4 Maintenance
After prolonged use, and particularly in applications where small movements are continually repeated, the grease on the drive
shaft may build up. This may cause rough or noisy movement, vibration and excessive heating.
It is good practice to run the motor periodically from one end of travel to the other several times in order to redistribute the
grease.
Note
No customer serviceable parts. Return to manufacturer for service.

Rev B Jan 2020 Page 7
Chapter 3 Operation and Maintenance
3.5 Pin Assignments
Pin assignments for the male D-Type connector on the motor flying lead are described below..
Note a. The limit switch ground wire is connected to the motor body.
Fig. 3.4 Output Connector
3.6 Extension Cables
The motor is supplied with a 0.5 m flying lead and a 3 m (PAA613) extension cable. Additional extension cables are available
separately - see www.thorlabs.com for more details.
Pin Description Pin Description
1Limit Ground a9Ident (for Future Use)
2CCW Limit Switch 10 +5 V
3CW Limit Switch 11 Reserved for Future Use
4Motor Phase B - 12 Reserved for Future Use
5Motor Phase B + 13 + 5 V
6Motor Phase A - 14 Reserved for Future Use
7Motor Phase A + 15 Ground
8Reserved for Future Use
5
10
11 15
6
1

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DRV225 and DRV250 Stepper Motor Actuators
Chapter 4 Specifications
4.1 Specifications
a. The unit requires a pre-load in order to function properly and should be used only for pushing loads, do not use for pulling.
b. Although feedback is not provided within the actuator, closed loop control can be achieved by using the LNR50SE stage -
see www.thorlabs.com for further details.
4.2 How to Calculate the Linear Displacement
The DRV series motors have 200 full steps per revolution and when driven by the BSC20x or MST602 drivers there are 2048
microsteps per full step, giving 409,600 microsteps per revolution of the motor lead screw. The lead screw pitch is 1.0 mm
The linear displacement of the lead screw per microstep:
1 / 409600 = 2.4 x 10-6 mm
Specification DRV225 DRV250
Travel Range 25 mm 50 mm
Unidirectional Repeatability ±1.6 µm
Bidirectional Repeatability ±3.9 µm
Maximum Pushing Force a180 N
Max Velocity 50 mm/s
Max Acceleration 50 mm/s2
Limit Switches Hall Effect
Homing Repeatability ±3.6 µm
Feedback None b
Motor Type 2-Phase Stepper Motor
Full Step Angle 1.8°
Lead Screw Pitch 1.0 mm
Microsteps per Revolution 409,600
Motor Phase 2
Rated Voltage 4.6 V
Rated Current per Phase 0.85 A
Resistance per Phase 3.6 Ohms
Inductance / Phase 4.6 mH
Holding Torque 0.2 N•m
Rotor Inertia 24 x 10-7 kg•m2
Insulation Class B
Operating Temperature Range 5 to 40 °C
Humidity Range Less than 80% RH (non-condensing) at 31°C
Actuator Mass 0.58 kg 0.66 kg
Cable Length 0.5 m
Connector Type D-sub DE 15 Pin Male
Compatible Controllers BSC201, BSC202, BSC203, MST602