THORLABS K-Cube Piezo Controller User manual

KPZ101
Piezo Driver
Kinesis User Guide
Original Instructions

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Contents
Chapter 1 Safety .............................................................................................4
1.1 Safety Information .................................................................................. 4
1.2 General Warnings .................................................................................. 4
Chapter 2 Overview and Setup ..................................................................... 5
2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................. 5
2.2 Power Options ........................................................................................ 6
2.3 Kinesis PC Software Overview ............................................................... 7
Chapter 3 Getting Started .............................................................................. 9
3.1 Install The Software. ............................................................................... 9
3.2 Mechanical Installation ......................................................................... 10
3.3 Electrical Installation ............................................................................. 11
3.4 Connect The Hardware ........................................................................ 15
Chapter 4 Standalone Operation ................................................................16
4.1 Introduction ........................................................................................... 16
4.2 Control Panel ....................................................................................... 17
4.3 Velocity Wheel Operation ..................................................................... 18
4.4 Settings Menu ...................................................................................... 19
Chapter 5 PC Operation - Tutorial ............................................................. 30
5.1 Introduction ........................................................................................... 30
5.2 Using the Kinesis Software .................................................................. 30
5.3 Introduction to Open and Closed Loop Operation ................................ 31
5.4 Open Loop Operation ........................................................................... 33
5.5 Operation with Other Members of the K-Cube Family ......................... 35
5.6 Closed Loop Operation ........................................................................ 35
5.7 Adjusting the Piezo Position ................................................................. 44
5.8 Load Response .................................................................................... 45
5.9 Setting Move Sequences ..................................................................... 45
5.10 Changing and Saving Parameter Settings ........................................... 45
Chapter 6 Software Reference ....................................................................46
6.1 GUI Panel ............................................................................................. 46
6.2 Settings Panel ...................................................................................... 48
Continued...

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K-Cube Piezo Driver
Appendices
Appendix A Connector Pinout Details ....................................................... 56
Appendix B Preventive Maintenance ......................................................... 57
Appendix C Specifications and Associated Products .............................. 58
Appendix D Piezo Operation - Background ............................................... 60
Appendix E Regulatory ................................................................................ 63
Appendix F Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts ................................................ 67

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Chapter 1 Safety
1.1 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.
1.2 General Warnings
Shock Warning
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.
Warnings
If this equipment is used in a manner not specified by the manufacturer, the
protection provided by the equipment may be impaired. In particular,
excessive moisture may impair operation.
This product generates, uses and outputs high voltages from the SMC
connector (HV Output) that are hazardous and can cause serious injury. In any
installation that uses the KPZ101 it is the user’s responsibility to ensure
adequate insulation and precuations are taken to avoid shock risk. Cables for
HV Out must be rated for 250 V RMS.
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.

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Chapter 2 Overview and Setup
2.1 Introduction
The K-Cube Piezo Controller (KPZ101) is a compact single channel controller/driver
for easy manual and automatic control of a wide range of piezo stacks and actuators.
This driver is capable of delivering up to 150V of drive voltage at 7.5mA - allowing
operating bandwidths up to 1kHz (see specs). The KPZ101 provides immediate 'out
of the box' operation with the Thorlabs complete range of bare piezo stacks, piezo
equipped actuators and piezo driven mirror mounts.
Furthermore, when operated together with the K-Cube Strain Gauge Reader unit
(KSG101), high precision closed loop operation is possible using the complete range
of feedback equipped piezo actuators available from Thorlabs.
For convenience the footprint of this unit has been kept to a minimum, measuring only
60mm x 60mm x 47mm (2.36” x 2.36 x 1.85”) and with the facility to directly mount to
the optical table close to the device under control. Table top operation also allows
minimal drive cable lengths for easier cable management. All manual controls are
located on the top face of the unit – very convenient when manually adjusting piezo
positions using the digitally encoded adjustment pot and easy to read voltage display
(with brightness adjustment).
Fig. 2.1 K-Cube Piezo Driver (KPZ101)
Although compact in footprint, this unit offers a fully featured piezo control capability.
To support a wide variety of piezo devices the output range can be user selected to
75V, 100V or 150V. The resolution of the digitally encoded adjustment pot is easily
altered to provide very accurate positioning control. Direct hardware control of the
high voltage output can be facilitated using the low voltage input connector.

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Chapter 2
A low voltage output connector allows for easy monitoring of the HV output (using a
scope for example). Open or closed loop operation is a simple button click.
USB connectivity provides easy 'Plug and Play' PC controlled operation - multiple
units can be connected to a single PC via standard USB hub technology or by using
the new K-Cube Controller Hub (see over) for multi-axis motion control applications.
Coupling this with the user friendly Kinesissoftware (supplied) allows the user to get
up and running in a short space of time. Advanced custom motion control applications
and sequences are also possible using the programming environment supplied. This
programming library is compatible with many development tools such as LabView,
Visual Basic, Visual C++, C++ Builder, LabWindows/CVI, Matlab and Delphi.
See Section 2.3. for a full description of the Kinesis system software.
In the remainder of this handbook, the Tutorial section (Chapter 5) provides a good
initial understanding on using the unit, and the reference section (Chapter 6) covers
all operating modes and parameters in detail.
2.2 Power Options
For power, a compact two-way power supply unit (TPS002) is available from Thorlabs
allowing up to 2 K-Cube Piezo Drivers to be powered from a single mains outlet. This
power supply unit is also designed to take up minimal space and can be mounted to
theopticaltableincloseproximitytothedriverunits,connectedviashortpowerleads.
As a further level of convenience when using the K-Cube Controllers Thorlabs also
offers the 3-channel and 6-channel K-Cube Controller Hubs (KCH301 and KCH601).
These products have been designed specifically with multiple K-Cube operation in
mind in order to simplify issues such as cable management, power supply routing,
multiple USB device communications and different optical table mounting scenarios.
The K-Cube Controller Hub comprises a slim base-plate type carrier with electrical
connections located on the upper surface to accept the K-Cubes.
Internally the Controller Hub contains a fully compliant USB 2.0 hub circuit to provide
communications for all K-Cubes – a single USB connection to the Controller Hub is
all that is required for PC control. The Controller Hub also provides power distribution
for the K-Cubes, requiring only a single power connection.

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K-Cube Piezo Driver
2.3 Kinesis PC Software Overview
2.3.1 Introduction
The K-Cube range of controllers share many of the benefits. These include USB
connectivity (allowing multiple units to be used together on a single PC), fully featured
Graphical User Interface (GUI) panels, and extensive software function libraries for
custom application development.
The Kinesis software suite provides a flexible and powerful PC based control system
both for users of the equipment, and software programmers aiming to automate its
operation.
The User Interface allows full control of all settings and operating modes enabling
complete ‘out-of-box’ operation without the need to develop any further custom
software. It provides all of the necessary system software services such as generation
of GUI panels, communications handling for multiple USB units, and logging of all
system activity to assist in hardware trouble shooting. The Kinesis server is also used
by software developers to allow the creation of advanced automated positioning
applications very rapidly and with great ease. The server is described in more detail
in the following section.
2.3.2 Kinesis Server
With the Kinesis system, .Net Controls are deployed to allow direct control over (and
also reflect the status of) the range of electronic controller units, including the Piezo
K-Cube. Software applications that use .Net Controls are often referred to as 'client
applications'. A .Net Control is a language independent software component.
Consequently the controls can be incorporated into a wide range of software
development environments for use by client application developers. Development
environments supported include Visual Basic, Labview, Visual C++, C++ Builder,
HPVEE, Matlab, VB.NET, C#.NET
and, via VBA, Microsoft Office applications such as
Excel and Word.
Consider the control supplied for the KPZ101 Piezo driver unit.
This Control provides a complete user graphical instrument panel to allow the piezo
unit to be manually operated, as well as a complete set of software functions to allow
all parameters to be set and operations to be automated by a client application. The
instrument panel reflects the current operating state of the driver unit to which it is
associated (e.g. such as piezo drive voltage). Updates to the panel take place

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Chapter 2
automatically when a user (client) application is making software calls into the same
Control. For example, if a client application instructs the associated Piezo Control to
move an actuator, the progress of that move is reflected automatically by changing
position readouts on the graphical interface, without the need for further programming
intervention.
The Kinesis Controls collection provides a rich set of graphical user panels and
programmable interfaces allowing users and client application developers to interact
seamlessly with the Kinesis hardware. Each of the Kinesis controllers has an
associated .Net Control and these are described fully in the handbooks associated
with the controllers.
Fig. 2.2 System Architecture Diagram
Refer to the main Kinesis Software online help file, for a complete programmers
guide. This is available either by pressing the F1 key when running the Kinesis server,
or via the Start menu, Start\Programs\Thorlabs\Kinesis\Kinesis Help.
2.3.3 Software Upgrades
Thorlabs operate a policy of continuous product development and may issue software
upgrades as necessary.

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Chapter 3 Getting Started
3.1 Install The Software.
DO NOT CONNECT THE CONTROLLER TO YOUR PC YET
1) Go to Services/Downloads at www.thorlabs.com and download the software.
2) Run the .exe file and follow the on-screen instructions.
Note
This section is applicable only if the K-Cube is to be used with a PC. If your
application consists only of local operation via the K-Cube front face, proceed
to Section 3.2.
When operating via a PC, direct user interaction with the Piezo driver is
accomplished through intuitive graphical user interface panels (GUIs), which
expose all key operating parameters and modes. The user can select multiple
panel views displaying different information about a particular hardware unit.
The multitasking architecture ensures that the graphical control panels always
remain live, showing all current hardware activity.
Cautions
Some PCs may have been configured to restrict the users ability to load
software, and on these systems the software may not install/run. If you
are in any doubt about your rights to install/run software, please consult
your system administrator before attempting to install.
If you experience any problems when installing software, contact
Thorlabs on [phone] and ask for Technical Support.

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Chapter 3
3.2 Mechanical Installation
3.2.1 Environmental Conditions
Location Indoor use only
Maximum altitude 2000 m
Temperature range 5oC to 40oC
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.
3.2.2 Mounting Options
The K-Cube Piezo Driver is shipped with a baseplate, for use when fitting the unit to
a breadboard, optical table or similar surface.
For multiple cube systems, a 3-channel and 6-channel K-Cube Controller Hub
(KCH301 and KCH601). ) are also available - see Section 2.2. for further details. Full
instructions on the fitting and use of the controller hub are contained in the handbook
available at www.thorlabs.com
Warning
The safety of any system incorporating this equipment is the
responsibility of the person performing the installation.
Warning
Operation outside the following environmental limits may adversely
affect operator safety.
Cautions
When siting the unit, it should be positioned so as not to impede the
operation of the control panel buttons.
Ensure that proper airflow is maintained to the rear of the unit