THORLABS MFF101 User manual

MFF101 and MFF102
Motorized Filter Flippers
User Guide
Original Instructions

2
Contents
Chapter 1 Safety .............................................................................................3
1.1 Safety Information ...................................................................................3
1.2 General Warnings ...................................................................................3
Chapter 2 Overview ........................................................................................4
2.1 Introduction .............................................................................................4
2.2 APT Software Overview ..........................................................................5
Chapter 3 Mechanical Installation ...............................................................10
3.1 Unpacking .............................................................................................10
3.2 Environmental Conditions .....................................................................10
3.3 Mounting to a Work Surface .................................................................10
3.4 Transportation .......................................................................................11
3.5 Dimensions ...........................................................................................12
3.6 Changing The Lens Mount ....................................................................13
Chapter 4 Software & Electrical Installation ...............................................14
4.1 Installing APT Software .........................................................................14
4.2 Electrical Installation .............................................................................15
4.3 Connecting The Hardware ....................................................................15
4.4 Verifying Software Operation ................................................................16
Chapter 5 Operation .....................................................................................17
5.1 Manual Operation .................................................................................17
5.2 PC-Based Operation .............................................................................17
5.3 Using Software Commands...................................................................21
5.4 Creating a Simulated Configuration Using APT Config ........................21
Chapter 6 Software Reference .....................................................................24
6.1 Introduction ...........................................................................................24
6.2 GUI Panel .............................................................................................24
6.3 Settings Panel .......................................................................................25
Appendices
Appendix A Preventive Maintenance ..........................................................28
Appendix B Specifications ...........................................................................29
Appendix C Flipper Control Method Summary ..........................................30
Appendix D Regulatory ................................................................................31
Appendix E Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts ................................................35

3
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 ha ndbook 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
When the unit is powered up, do not move the flipper arm by hand.
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.
When running custom move sequences, or under fault conditions, the stage
may move unexpectedly. Operators should take care when working inside the
moving envelope of the stage.

4
Chapter 2 Overview
2.1 Introduction
These two position high speed flippers have been designed to flip a lens, filter or other
optical component into and out of an open beam.
The flip action is controlled by a button on the top of the unit, via the remote handset
included, or via a control PC. The flipper position toggles 90° between vertical and
perpendicular with each button press. The unit has two SMA connectors, marked
DIG I/O 1 and DIG I/O 2, for use in applications requiring an external or remote trigger,
e.g the remote ha ndset. The trigger is a button p ress or a TTL logic pulse, which
toggles the flipper position. The rear face of the unit features an array of vent holes to
aid cooling.
This small (70 mm x 30 mm x 30 mm) unit is powered by the included 15V power
supply. It is shipped with a 1.5 m (59.0”) USB cable.
The MFF101(/M) is supplied complete with our LMR1 (/M) Ø1" optics mount, while the
MFF102 is shipped with the LMR2(/M). Other holders in the LMR range are
compatible, up to a maximum diameter of 50.8 mm (2”). The flipper mount is ideal for
many optics, including mirrors. When used with a mirror, please note that the unit is
not recommended for applications requiring better than 100 µrad beam stability.
Fig. 2.1 MFF101 Motorized Filter Flipper

5
MFF101 and MFF102 Motorized Filter Flippers
2.2 APT Software Overview
2.2.1 Introduction
As a member of the APT range of controllers, the MFF sreies Filter Flippers share
many of the associated software benefits. This includes USB connectivity (allowing
multiple units to be used together on a single PC), fully featured Graphical User
Interface (GUI) panels, and extensive software f unction libraries for custom
application development.
The APT software suite supplied with all APT controllers, including the MFF series
filter flipper, provides a flexible and powerful PC based control system both for users
of the equipment, and software programmers aiming to automate its operation.
For users, the APTUser (see Section 2.2.2.) and APTConfig (see Section 2.2.3.)
utilities allow full control of all settings and operating modes enabling complete ‘out-
of-box’ operation without the need to d evelop any further cu stom software. Both
utilities are built on top of a sophisticated, multi-threaded ActiveX ‘engine’ (called the
APT server) which provides all of the necessary APT system software services such
as generation of GUI pan els, communications handling for multiple USB units, and
logging of all system activity to assist in hardware trouble shooting. It is this APT
server ‘engine’ that is used by software developers to allow the creation of advanced
automated positioning applications very rapidly and with great ease. The APT server
is described in more detail in Section 2.2.4.
Aside
ActiveX®, a Windows®-based, language-independent technology, allows a user
to quickly develop custom applications that automate the control of APT system
hardware units. Development environments supported by ActiveX® technology
include Visual Basic®, LabView™, Borland C++ Builder, Visual C++, Delphi™,
and many others. ActiveX® technology is also supported by .NET development
environments such as Visual Basic.NET and Visual C#.NET.
ActiveX controls are a specific form of ActiveX technology that provide both a user
interface and a programming interface. An ActiveX control is supplied for each
type of APT hardware unit to provide specific controller functionality to the
software developer. See Section 2.2.4. for further details.

6 HA0305T Rev H Jan 2017
Chapter 2
2.2.2 APTUser Utility
The APTUser application allows the user to interact with a number of APT hardware
control units connected to the ho st PC. This program displays multiple graphical
instrument panels to allow multiple APT units to be controlled simultaneously.
All basic operating parameters can be altered and, similarly, all operations can be
initiated. Settings and parameter changes can be saved and loaded to allow multiple
operating configurations to be created and easily applied.
For many users, the APTUser application provides all of the functionality necessary
to operate the APT hardware without the need to deve lop any further custom
software. For those who do need to further customise and automate u sage of the
controller (e.g. to implement a positioning algorithm), this application illustrates how
the rich fun ctionality provided by the APT ActiveX server is e xposed by a client
application. The complete Visual Basic source project is provided as a useful aid to
software developers.
Use of the APT User utility is covered in the PC tu torial (Chapter 6) and in the
APTUser online help file, accessed via the F1 key when using the APTUser utility.

7
MFF101 and MFF102 Motorized Filter Flippers
2.2.3 APT Config Utility
There are many system par ameters and configuration settings associated with the
operation of the APT Server. Most can be directly accessed using the various
graphical panels, however there are several system wide settings that can be made
'off-line' before running the APT software. These settings have global effect; such as
switching between simulator and real operating mode, associating mechanical stages
to specific actuators and incorporation of calibration data.
The APTConfig utility is provided as a convenient means for making these system
wide settings and adjustments. Full details on using APTConfig are provided in the
online help supplied with the utility.
Use of the APT Config utility is covered in the PC tutoria l (Chapter 6) and in the
APTConfig online help file, accessed via the F1 key when using the APTConfig utility.

8 HA0305T Rev H Jan 2017
Chapter 2
2.2.4 APT Server (ActiveX Controls)
ActiveX Controls are re -usable compiled software components that supp ly both a
graphical user interface and a pro grammable interface. Many such Co ntrols are
available for Windows applications development, providing a large range of re-usable
functionality. For example, there are Controls available that can be used to
manipulate image files, connect to the intern et or simply pro vide user in terface
components such as buttons and list boxes.
With the APT system, ActiveX Controls are deployed to allow direct control over (and
also reflect the status of) the rang e of electronic controller units, including the MFF
series filter flipper. Software applications that use ActiveX Controls are often referred
to as 'client applications'. Based on ActiveX i nterfacing technology, an ActiveX
Control is a language independent software compo nent. Consequently ActiveX
Controls can be incorporated into a wide range of software development
environments for u se by clie nt 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 ActiveX Control supplied for the filter flipper.
This Control provides a complete user graphical instrument panel to allow the stage
to be manually operated, as well as a complete set of software functions (often called
methods) 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 unit to
which it is associated (e.g. such as filter position). Updates to the panel take place
automatically when a user (client) application is making software calls into the same
Control.

9
MFF101 and MFF102 Motorized Filter Flippers
The APT ActiveX Controls collection provides a rich set of graphical user panels and
programmable interfaces allowing users and client application developers to interact
seamlessly with the APT hardware. Each of the APT controllers has an associated
ActiveX Control and these are described fully in system online help or the handbooks
associated with the controllers. Note that the APTUser and APTConfig utilities take
advantage of and are built on top of the po werful functionality provided by the APT
ActiveX Server (as shown in Fig. 2.2).
Fig. 2.2 System Architecture Diagram
Refer to the main APT Software online help file, APTServer.chm, for a comple te
programmers guide and reference material on using the APT ActiveX Controls
collection. Additional software developer support is provided on the ‘Support’ tab in
the Downloads section of our website.
2.2.5 Software Upgrades
Thorlabs operate a policy of continuous product development and may issue software
upgrades as necessary.
The latest APTServer software version is available from the dowmloads section of
www.thorlabs.com.

10
Chapter 3 Mechanical Installation
3.1 Unpacking
3.2 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 a gents 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.
3.3 Mounting to a Work Surface
3.3.1 General
When mounting the flipper close to o ther equipment, ensure that the travel is not
obstructed. If a device mounted on the flipper is driven against a solid object, damage
to the internal mechanism and the optic fitted could occur. The range of travel is 90°
Note
Retain the packing in which the unit was shipped, for use in future
transportation.
Caution
Once removed from its packaging, the filter flipper is easily damaged by
mishandling. The unit should only be handled by its base.
Warning
Operation outside the following environmental limits may adversely
affect operator safety.
Warning
The safety of any system incorporating this equipment is the
responsibility of the person performing the installation.