THORLABS ELL6 User manual

ELL6(K), ELL9(K), and ELL12(K)
Optic Slider Kits
Operating Manual

ELL6(K), ELL9(K), and ELL12(K) Optic Slider Kits
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................1
Chapter 2 Safety Information .............................................................................................2
Chapter 3 Installation ..........................................................................................................4
Chapter 4 Operation ............................................................................................................7
4.2.1 Hand-Held Controller ................................................................................................................................ 8
4.2.2 Software Control........................................................................................................................................ 9
4.2.3 Communications Protocol ...................................................................................................................... 10
4.2.4 Connecting Multiple Devices.................................................................................................................. 10
4.2.5 Controlling the stage without the handset............................................................................................ 11
Chapter 5 Troubleshooting and FAQ ..............................................................................14
Chapter 6 Specifications...................................................................................................17
Chapter 7 Certifications and Compliance ......................................................................18
Chapter 8 Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts .......................................................................19

ELL6(K), ELL9(K), and ELL12(K) Optic Slider Kits Chapter 1: Introduction
Rev. B, April 5, 2023 Page 1
Chapter 1 Introduction
The ELL6, ELL9, and ELL12 are multi-position optic sliders with millisecond switching times enabled by Thorlabs'
Elliptec™ piezoelectric resonant motor technology. The ELL6 Dual-Position Slider and the ELL9 Four-Position
Slider are both compatible with SM1 optics, while the ELL12 Six-Position Slider is used with SM05 optics.
The resonant piezo design of the motors offers fast response times and precise positioning and are therefore
particularly useful in scanning applications. These piezo motors also do not include magnets like traditional
motors, making them ideal for applications that are sensitive to electromagnetic interference.
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 sliders can be post-mounted using our ER series cage system rods and a CP33(/M) Cage Plate (see Section
3.2.). They are also compatible with 30 mm cage systems. The ELL6, with its single motor, can be
simultaneously controlled and powered via USB. The TPS101 5 V power supply is also compatible. As the two
motors on the ELL9 and ELL12 require greater power, a 5 V power supply is included with the ELL9K and ELL12K
bundles.
A hand-held controller is also supplied with the kits to allow manual switching between the optic positions.
The units can also be driven remotely via PC-based software, downloaded from www.thorlabs.com. A
compatible USB driver is included in the software download package.

ELL6(K), ELL9(K), and ELL12(K) Optic Slider Kits Chapter 2: Safety Information
Page 2 ETN032283-D02
Chapter 2 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.
Warning: Risk of Electrical Shock
Given when there is a risk of electrical shock.
Warning
Given when there is a risk of injury to users.
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. 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.
If the device is operated over a prolonged time, 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 more than 500 g applied to the board may cause the PCB to
deform, which will degrade the performance of the controller.
Do not expose the stage to a strong infrared light (e.g., direct sunlight) as it could interfere with the
operation of the position sensor.
During use do not place the PCB directly onto electro-conductive material e.g., an optical tabletop or
breadboard.

ELL6(K), ELL9(K), and ELL12(K) Optic Slider Kits Chapter 2: Safety Information
Rev. B, April 5, 2023 Page 3
Caution
The home sensor of the device relies on a 950nm led which can leak from the device. This should be
taken into consideration for environments that are especially sensitive to foreign light sources.

ELL6(K), ELL9(K), and ELL12(K) Optic Slider Kits Chapter 3: Installation
Page 4 ETN032283-D02
Chapter 3 Installation
Environmental Conditions
Warning
Operation outside the following environmental limits may adversely affect operator safety.
The unit is designed for indoor use only.
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.
The unit is not designed to be used in explosive environments.
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 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.
Mounting
Warning
The safety of any system incorporating this equipment is the responsibility of the person performing
the installation.
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 discharge
appliances must be worn.
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 ribbon cable connector is made of plastic and is not particularly robust. Do not use force when
making connections. Unnecessary or repeated plugging in and unplugging should be avoided, or the
connector may fail.
Do not move the stage by hand. Doing so will disorientate the motors and cause the unit to fail.
The recommended mounting orientation is vertically, with the motors at the bottom of the board as shown
below. In this orientation, optic position 1 is on the right-hand side.

ELL6(K), ELL9(K), and ELL12(K) Optic Slider Kits Chapter 3: Installation
Rev. B, April 5, 2023 Page 5
Figure 1 ELL6, ELL9 and ELL12 Optic Sliders

ELL6(K), ELL9(K), and ELL12(K) Optic Slider Kits Chapter 3: Installation
Page 6 ETN032283-D02
There are several options for mounting the sliders. The ELLA1 Post Mount Adapter has a 14.0 mm width and
fastens directly to the back of the slider's PCB. As shown in Figure 2, the adapter can then be used to mount
the slider to a Ø1/2" post. The compact dimensions of the ELLA1 allows sliders to be placed one behind the
other while minimizing the space separating them, as shown below. The adapter can also be integrated with
Thorlabs' 30 mm Cage System components and/or SM1-threaded components, such as lens tubes. Alternately,
30 mm cage system components alone can be used to mount the sliders. An example of this is shown in Figure
3, in which a CP33 Cage Plate, four ER1 rods, a Ø1/2" post, and a post holder mount and support the assembled
sliders.
Figure 2 ELL9 mounted using ELLA1
Figure 3 ELL9 mounted using 30 mm cage rods
Figure 4 Close Mounting of ELL6 and ELL9 using ELLA1

ELL6(K), ELL9(K), and ELL12(K) Optic Slider Kits Chapter 4: Operation
Rev. B, April 5, 2023 Page 7
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 slider to a strong infrared light (e.g., direct sunlight) as it could interfere with the
operation of the position sensor.
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.
Do not move the stage by hand. Doing so will disorientate the motors and cause the unit to fail.
The home sensor of the device relies on a 950nm led which can leak from the device. This should be
taken into consideration for environments that are especially sensitive to foreign light sources.
Warning
If the device is operated over a prolonged time, 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. Turn on and boot up the host PC
.
3.
C onnect 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 8 and section 5.2) which should be adjacent to the red wire in the
connecting cable.
4. Connect the stage to a 5 V supply and switch ‘ON’. (A 5 V PSU is supplied with the ELL6K, ELL9K, and
ELL12K).
Caution
Boot up the PC BEFORE connecting the USB cable. DO NOT connect a powered ELL kit to a PC that is
not powered up and running.
5. Using the USB cable supplied, connect the handset to the PC.
6. Wait for the drivers to be installed.
7. Home the stage. Homing is necessary to align the sensor and establish a datum from which all future
moves are measured.

ELL6(K), ELL9(K), and ELL12(K) Optic Slider Kits Chapter 4: Operation
Page 8 ETN032283-D02
Controlling the Stage
The stage can be controlled in three ways; via the handset (section 4.2.1), by the Elliptec software running on
a PC (section 4.2.2), or by writing a custom application using the messages described in the communications
protocol document. Homing and position switching functionality can also be accessed by applying voltages to
the digital lines on Connector J2. The modes of control are described in the following sections.
In all modes, when the unit is mounted in the recommended orientation as shown in Figure 1. Forward moves
the stage to the right and backward moves to the left.
4.2.1 Hand-Held Controller
Caution
On power up the stage will move while the unit checks the sensors and then searches for the home
position.
The ELL6K, ELL9K, and ELL12K Evaluation Kits also contain a hand-held controller, which features two buttons
(marked FW and BW) that allow switching of the optic position as explained below. The handset also provides
for connection to the host PC and to the external 5V power supply. This allows the stage to be used in the
absence of a PC, with control being achieved via the handset buttons.
The PWR LED (LED1) is lit green when power is applied to the unit. The INM LED (LED2) is lit red when the
device being driven is in motion.
Figure 5 Handset Details