THORLABS MFF101 User manual

MFF101 and MFF102
Motorized Filter Flippers
User Guide
Original Instructions

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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 Kinesis Software Overview .....................................................................5
Chapter 3 Mechanical Installation .................................................................8
3.1 Unpacking ...............................................................................................8
3.2 Environmental Conditions .......................................................................8
3.3 Mounting to a Work Surface ...................................................................8
3.4 Transportation .........................................................................................9
3.5 Dimensions ...........................................................................................10
3.6 Changing The Lens Mount ....................................................................11
Chapter 4 Software & Electrical Installation ...............................................12
4.1 Installing the Software ...........................................................................12
4.2 Electrical Installation .............................................................................12
4.3 Connecting The Hardware ....................................................................13
4.4 Verifying Software Operation ................................................................13
Chapter 5 Operation .....................................................................................14
5.1 Manual Operation .................................................................................14
5.2 PC-Base Operation ...............................................................................14
5.3 Using the Software Commands ............................................................16
Chapter 6 Software Reference .....................................................................17
6.1 Introduction ...........................................................................................17
6.2 GUI Panel .............................................................................................17
6.3 Settings Panel .......................................................................................18
Appendices
Appendix A Preventive Maintenance ..........................................................21
Appendix B Specifications ...........................................................................22
Appendix C Regulatory ................................................................................23
Appendix D Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts ................................................25

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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
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.

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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 handset. The trigger is a button press 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

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MFF101 and MFF102 Motorized Filter Flippers
2.2 Kinesis Software Overview
2.2.1 Introduction
The MFF series Filter Flippers share all the benefits of the Thorlabs range of motor
controllers. 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 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 Kinesis server is described in more
detail in Section 2.2.2.

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Chapter 2
2.2.2 Kinesis Server
Kinesis controls are re-usable compiled software components that supply both a
graphical user interface and a programmable interface. 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 MFF series filter flippers. 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 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.

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MFF101 and MFF102 Motorized Filter Flippers
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
and reference material on using the Kinesis Controls collection. 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.
2.2.3 Software Upgrades
Thorlabs operate a policy of continuous product development and may issue software
upgrades as necessary.

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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 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.
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 other 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.

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MFF101 and MFF102 Motorized Filter Flippers
3.3.2 Mounting the Unit to the Work Surface
The filter flipper is normally used mounted to standard post via the 8-32 (M4) hole in
the base, as shown in Fig. 3.1.. .
Fig. 3.1 Installation
3.4 Transportation
Caution
When packing the unit for shipping, use the original packing. If this is not
available, use a strong box and surround the unit with at least 100 mm of
shock absorbent material.
8-32 (M4)
Threaded Hole
Standard TR series
1/2” Post

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Chapter 3
3.5 Dimensions
Fig. 3.2 Dimensions
132.5 mm
(5.21 in)
97.5 mm
(3.84 in)
27.9mm
(1.10in)
90°
Travel 50.0 mm
(1.97 in)
54.5 mm
(2.15 in)
104.5 mm
(4.11 in)
C
L
C
L
C
L
C
L
90°
Travel
50.0mm
(1.97in)
107.4mm
(4.23in)
57.4mm
(2.26in)
42.2mm
(1.66in)
92.2mm
(3.63in)
C
L
C
L
MFF101
MFF102
POS 1
POS 2
POS 1
POS 2