THORLABS MCM3000 Series User manual

MCM3000 Series
3-Axis Controller
User Guide

MCM3000 Series
Copyright©June20,2023Thorlabs,Inc. A ll rights reserved.
Informationin t hisdocumentissubjecttochangewithoutnotice.Thesoftwaredescribed
in t his document is furnished under a license agreement or nondisclosure agreement.
The software may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of those
agreements.No partof t hispublicationmaybereproduced,storedina retrieval system,
or transmitted in any form or any means electronic or mechanical, including
photocopying and recording for any purpose other than the purchaser's personal use
withoutthe written permissionofThorlabs, Inc.
Thorlabs,Inc.
108 Powers Court, Suite 150
Sterling, VA 20166
703-651-170

MCM3000 Series
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Warning Symbol Definitions ...........................................1
Chapter 2 Safety.................................................................................2
Chapter 3 Description........................................................................3
3.1. Features at a Glance .....................................................3
Chapter 4 Getting Started .................................................................4
4.1. Unpacking and Inspection .............................................4
4.2. Setting Up the MCM3000 Series ....................................5
4.2.1. Minimum Computer Requirements............................................ 5
4.2.2. Preparation............................................................................... 5
Chapter 5 Software ............................................................................9
5.1. MCM3000 4.0 Software Installation ..............................9
5.2. Software Setup ...........................................................15
5.3. MCM3000 GUI (Graphical User Interface) ....................18
5.3.1. Display Area ............................................................................18
5.3.2. Menu .......................................................................................19
5.4. Firmware....................................................................20
Chapter 6 Maintaining the MCM3000 Series .................................22
6.1. Cleaning .....................................................................22
6.2. Troubleshooting..........................................................22
Chapter 7 Specifications.................................................................24
7.1. Controller Specifications..............................................24
7.2. Compatible Motor Specifications .................................25
Chapter 8 Mechanical Drawing.......................................................26
Chapter 9 Certificates and Compliance.........................................29
Chapter 10 Regulatory.......................................................................30
Chapter 11 Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts.......................................32

MCM3000 Series Chapter 1: Warning Symbol Definitions
Page 1 TTN040330-D02
Chapter 1 Warning Symbol Definitions
Below is a list of warning symbols you may encounter in this manual or on
your device.
Symbol Description
DirectCurrent
Alternating Current
Both Direct and Alternating Current
Earth Ground Terminal
Protective Conductor Terminal
Frame or Chassis Terminal
Equipotentiality
On (Supply)
Off (Supply)
In Position of a Bi-Stable Push Control
Out Position of a Bi-Stable Push Control
Caution: Risk of Electric Shock
Caution: Hot Surface
Caution: Risk of Danger
Caution: Laser Radiation
Caution: Spinning Blades May Cause Harm

MCM3000 Series Chapter 2: Safety
Rev E, June 27, 2023 Page 2
Chapter 2 Safety
All statements regarding safety of operation and technical data in this user guide
will only apply when the unit is operated correctly.
Please read the following warnings and cautions carefully before operating the
device.
WARNING
DO NOT use this device for anything other than its intended use. If the device is
used in a manner not specified by Thorlabs, the protection provided by the
equipment may be impaired.
WARNING
DO NOT operate in wet, damp, or explosive environment.

MCM3000 Series Chapter 3: Description
Page 3 TTN040330-D02
Chapter 3 Description
The MCM3000 Series 3-Axis Stepper Motor Controller with Encoder feedback
consistsofa hand-operatedknob box and a separate controllerbox.Each side face
of the knob box includes a rotating knob and a push-button switch that are
dedicated to a single axis. The push-button switch enables and disables the axis.
The switch turns green when the axis is enabled. Disable the axis to preserve a
position or prevent accidental movements. A smaller knob on the top face adjusts
the amount of translation per rotation of the knob.
Since each MCM3000 Series Controller has three axes, you only need to pur-
chase enough controllers for each of the stages you intend to drive. For example,
a Cerna® microscope equipped with a ZFM2020 Motorized Focusing Module
(which has oneaxis) and a PLS-XYTranslationStage(two axes) would only require
one MCM3001 controller.
The MCM3001 is compatible with motorized Cerna components that have a travel
range of 1", such as our Motorized Focusing Modules and Translation Stages for
Rigid Stands.Forcomponentswith a 2"travel range,such as Thor- labs'Translating
Platforms, the MCM3002 controller should be used instead. The software allows
you to configure the controller to more than one type ofstage.
The following table shows the different stages compatible with the MCM3000
Series Controller:
Item Number
MCM3001
MCM3002
Compatible
Stages
Focusing Modules
ZFM2020 and
ZF M2030
Microscope B ody
T ransla t or
MM P -2 XY
Translation St ages
for Rigid St ands
PLS-X and P L S - XY
Translating P la tf orm
P M P -2 XY ( / M)
3.1. Features at a Glance
•Designed for Cerna Components with Motorized Travel: Objective
Focusing Module, Condenser Focusing Module, Translation Stages for
Rigid Stands, and Translating Platform
•Knobs Provide Hand-Operated Control for up to Three Axes
•Option to Disable Each Channel to Prevent Unintended
•Movements or to Retain a Position
•Adjust Translation Speed via Top-Located Knob

MCM3000 Series Chapter 4: Getting Started
Rev E, June 27, 2023 Page 4
Chapter 4 Getting Started
4.1. Unpacking and Inspection
Open the package, and carefully remove the MCM3000 Series and its accessor-
ies.The table lists the standard accessories shipped with the device.
Name
Quantity
MCM3001
MCM3002
3-Axis Knob Box
1
1
3-Axis Controller Box
1
1
Joystick Controller Cable (3m)
1
1
Hex Stand Off
-
12
M6 x 12 mm SHCS
2
2
1/4"-20 X 1/2" SHCS
2
2
24V 90W AC/DC Power Supply
1
1
Power Cord
1
1
USB Male A to Male B (RoHS Complaint)
1
1
Adapter Cable for 2" Cerna Stages
(Component Item # MCM3000-CAB1)
-
3
MCM3000 Software CD
1
1
Inspect the device and its accessories for any missing parts or damage. If there
is any problem, please contact our nearest office (see Thorlabs Worldwide
Contacts Chapter on Page 31 for details).

MCM3000 Series Chapter 4: Getting Started
Page 5 TTN040330-D02
4.2. Setting Up the MCM3000 Series
4.2.1. Minimum Computer Requirements
Operating System
Windows 7 or 10,64Bit
Driver
MCM3000
. in f
Other Software
VisualC++ Redistributable Package(2012) ,
Microsoft.NET 4.5.2or la
t er
4.2.2. Preparation
We recommend you mount the 3-Axis Controller Box on an optical table or
breadboard using the two included screws (M6 for metric, 1/4"-20x1/2" for imper-
ial). This prevents any damage to the Controller Box from an accidental fall.
1. Use the Joystick Controller cable to connectthe 3-Axis Controller Box to
the 3-Axis Knob Box.
Figure 1 Connecting the Controller Box to the Knob Box

MCM3000 Series Chapter 4: Getting Started
Rev E, June 27, 2023 Page 6
2. Use the USBcable to connectthe 3-Axis Controller Box to the computer.
Note: This step is optional.Connectthe USB port only if you wantto use
the software to control the position of the stages. The 3-Axis Knob Box
or the software can control the position of the stages.You can move the
stage manually even after connecting the USB port to the computer.
Figure 2 Connecting the Controller Box to the Computer
3. Connect one end of the power supply to the 3-Axis Controller Box and
the other end to a standard power outlet.
4. Connect the cables from the required stages to the 3-Axis Controller Box.

MCM3000 Series Chapter 4: Getting Started
Page 7 TTN040330-D02
The 3-Axis Controller can control up to three axes. For example, the
following diagram shows a MCM3001 controllerconnected to a PLS-XY
translation stage and a ZFM2030 focusing module.
Figure 3 Connecting the Controller Box to Different Stages
Note: The MCM3002 Controller is shipped with adapter cables to connect
the device to the stages (as shown in the diagram below).
Figure 4 Connecting the Adapter Cable