THORLABS ELL10(K) User manual

ELL10(K)
Linear Translation Stage
Operating Manual
Original Instructions

ELL10 Linear Stage Evaluation Kit
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction ..............................................................................................................................................................1
Chapter 2 Safety.........................................................................................................................................................................2
General Warnings and Cautions ..................................................................................................................2
Chapter 3 Installation ................................................................................................................................................................3
Environmental Conditions............................................................................................................................3
Mounting ........................................................................................................................................................4
Chapter 4 Operation ..................................................................................................................................................................6
Getting Started...............................................................................................................................................6
4.1.1 Position Error Compensation .............................................................................................................. 6
Controlling the Stage ....................................................................................................................................7
4.2.1 Hand-held Controller ........................................................................................................................... 7
4.2.2 Software Control ................................................................................................................................. 8
4.2.3 Communications Protocol ................................................................................................................... 9
4.2.4 Connecting Multiple Devices ............................................................................................................... 9
4.2.5 Controlling the stage without the handset ........................................................................................... 9
Frequency Search........................................................................................................................................11
Periodic Cycling of Devices Over Full Range of Travel ...........................................................................11
Restoring Factory Settings.........................................................................................................................11
Simultaneous Movement of Devices..........................................................................................................11
Chapter 5 Troubleshooting and FAQ.....................................................................................................................................12
Chapter 6 Specifications.........................................................................................................................................................13
Chapter 7 Regulatory...............................................................................................................................................................15
Declarations of Conformity.........................................................................................................................15
7.1.1 For Customers in Europe .................................................................................................................. 15
7.1.2 For Customers In The USA ............................................................................................................... 15
Chapter 8 Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts...............................................................................................................................16

ELL10 Linear Stage Evaluation Kit Chapter 1: Introduction
Rev. A, Dec, 2017 Page 1
Chapter 1 Introduction
The ELL10 Linear Translation Stage is part of the Thorlabs series of resonant piezo motor circuits and bare modules for OEM
applications. The resonant piezo design of these motors offers fast response times and precise positioning, and therefore they
are particularly useful in scanning applications.
The high-speed digital signal processing (DSP) architecture supports a multi-drop serial communication protocol, and a set of
digital IO lines allows the user to control the movement and state manually by switching the lines high (5V) or low (0V).
The stage is designed for closed loop applications requiring linear positioning over a 60 mm (2.36”) travel range, with 0.5 µm of
resolution. The module is powered via an external 5V power supply supplied in the kit.
A hand-held controller is supplied with the ELL10K evaluation kit to allow homing and manual jogging and/or positioning. The
unit can also be driven remotely via PC-based software, downloaded from www.thorlabs.com. A compatible USB driver and
source code are included in the software download package.

ELL10 Linear Stage Evaluation Kit Chapter 2: Safety
Page 2ETN039959-D02
Chapter 2 Safety
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.
Warning: Risk of Electrical Shock
Given when there is a risk of electrical shock.
Warning
Given when there is a risk of injury to the user..
Caution
Given when there is a possibility of damage to the product.
Note
Clarification of an instruction or additional information.
General Warnings and Cautions
Warning
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.
The equipment is susceptible to damage from electrostatic discharge. When handling the device, anti-static
precautions must be taken and suitable discharge appliances must be worn.
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.
Do not expose the stage to magnetic fields as this
could affect the positioning and homing sensor operation. An
external magnetic field close to the sensor should be below +/- 5mT.
If the device is operated over a prolonged time period, the motor housing may become hot. This does not affect motor
operation but may cause discomfort if contacted by exposed skin.
Do not bend the PCB. A bending load in excess of 500 g applied to the board may cause the PCB to deform, which
will degrade the performance of the Stage.

ELL10 Linear Stage Evaluation Kit Chapter 3: Installation
Rev. A, Dec, 2017 Page 3
Chapter 3 Installation
Environmental Conditions
Warning
Operation outside the following environmental limits may adversely affect operator safety.
Location Indoor use only
Maximum altitude 2000 m
Temperature range 15°C 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.
Do not expose the stage to magnetic fields as this could affect the positioning and homing sensor operation.
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 is not designed to be used in explosive environments.
The unit is not designed for continuous operation. Lifetime will depend on several factors, e.g. load, number of homing
operations, number of frequency searches etc. The minimum lifetime is 100 km. See Chapter 5 for more details.

ELL10 Linear Stage Evaluation Kit Chapter 3: Installation
Page 4ETN039959-D02
Mounting
Warning
The safety of any system incorporating this equipment is the responsibility of the person performing the installation.
Cautions
Although the module can tolerate up to 8kV of air discharge, it must be treated as an ESD sensitive device. When
handling the device, anti-static precautions must be taken and suitable discharge appliances must be worn.
Do not expose the stage
to magnetic fields as this could affect the positioning and homing sensor operation. An
external magnetic field close to the sensor should be below +/- 5mT.
When handling the stage, take care not to touch the wires to the motors.
Do not bend the wires over the motor spring as this affects the performance of the unit.
Do not allow the wires to contact other moving parts.
The recommended mounting orientation is horizontal. A base plate is shipped fitted to the stage to allow mounting to a standard
1” or 25 mm pitch optical table or breadboard. If required, a grooved top plate (MMP1(/M)) or tapped top plate (RB13P1(/M))
can be purchased separately to allow components and devices to be mounted to the moving world – see Figure 2.
The stage can be mounted vertically, as long as the resulting motion is in the horizontal plane. The stage should not be
mounted such that motion is vertical.
Figure 1 ELL10(/M) Linear Stage

ELL10 Linear Stage Evaluation Kit Chapter 3: Installation
Rev. A, Dec, 2017 Page 5
Figure 2 ELL10 with MMP1 top plate fitted, showing stage in backwards/home position
Figure 3Fixing the ELL10 to the work surface
1. Slide the moving world to one end of travel to gain access to the mounting holes as shown above.
2. Attach the stage to the work surface by passing appropriate standard fixings (not supplied) through the exposed
hole in the PCB and base plate.
3. Slide the moving world to the other end of travel, and repeat item (2).

ELL10 Linear Stage Evaluation Kit Chapter 4: Operation
Page 6ETN039959-D02
Chapter 4 Operation
Getting Started
Caution
Although the module can tolerate up to 8kV of air discharge, it must be treated as an ESD sensitive device. When
handling the device, anti-static precautions must be taken and suitable and discharge appliances must be worn.
Do not expose the Stage to magnetic fields as this could affect the positioning and homing sensor operation.
When power is applied, do not connect or disconnect the ribbon cable connecting the USB/PSU adapter to the Stage
PCB. Always remove power before making connections.
Warning
If the device is operated over a prolonged time period, the motor housing may become hot. This does not affect motor
operation but may cause discomfort if contacted by exposed skin.
1. Perform the mechanical installation as detailed in Section 3.2
2. Connect the handset to the stage if required.
Caution
The unit is easily damaged by connections with incorrect polarity. Pin 1 of the connector on the PCB is marked with
an arrow (see Figure 4 and Figure 6.) which should be adjacent to the red wire in the connecting cable.
3. Connect the stage to a 5V supply and switch ‘ON’. (A 5V PSU is supplied with the ELL10K).
4. Connect the unit to your PC if required, and wait for the drivers to be installed.
5. Home the stage. Homing is necessary to align the sensor and establish a datum from which all future moves are
measured.
4.1.1 Position Error Compensation
The stage has a positioning error compensation algorithm. When moving from one position to another, the stage detects the
error between the requested and actual positions and will calculate an error compensation value, which is then applied to the
next movement. A default compensation value is loaded on boot up, then the optimum value is calculated within the next 2 to 6
motions. Subsequently, the calculation is continually updated and is applied automatically.