THORLABS NST50 User manual

Nanopositioning Modular System
NanoStep Cross Roller Bearing Stages
Model Numbers NST50
NST100
NST150

THORLABS
About the Company
Thorlabs Ltd is an a leading manufacturer of motion control systems, vibration isolation
systems, machine vision products and multi-element optical systems for fiber-optic,
semiconductor and reprographic applications.
We offer customers an in-depth understanding of optical component manufacture,
allowing us to quickly and confidently develop optimal positioning solutions.
As a part of Thorlabs inc., manufacturers of innovative photonics products, we are
committed to providing the service, relationships and attention to detail that make
businesses excel.
Trademarks
THORLABS is a registered trademark of
Thorlabs Inc.
Revision History
Issue No. Date Summary
4 270405
5 250805

1
Contents
1 For Your Safety .......................................................................................... 3
Safety Information ..........................................................................................................3
Warnings ........................................................................................................................4
2 Overview ..................................................................................................... 5
Introduction .....................................................................................................................5
3 Installation and Operation ......................................................................... 6
Unpacking ......................................................................................................................6
Mounting to a Work Surface ...........................................................................................6
General ..................................................................................................................6
Mounting a Single Stage to a Work Surface ..........................................................7
Mounting stages in X-Y configurations ..................................................................8
Mounting stages in X-Y-Z configurations ...............................................................9
Operation ......................................................................................................................12
Calibration of Motor Drives............................................................................................13
Transportation ..............................................................................................................13
Dimensions ...................................................................................................................14
4 Specification ............................................................................................. 15
5 Spares and Accessories .......................................................................... 16
Parts List ......................................................................................................................16

2

3
Chapter 1
For Your 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 on the equipment:
Warning, risk of danger. Refer to the handbook for details on this hazard.
Warning, risk of electric shock. High voltages present
Equipotentiality (bonding) terminal
Functional (EMC) earth/ground terminal.
The following safety symbols may be used throughout the handbook:
Warning. An instruction which draws attention to the risk of injury or death.
Caution. An instruction which draws attention to the risks of damage to the product,
process or surroundings.
Note. Clarification of an instruction or additional information.
!

4
Chapter 1 For Your Safety
1.2 Warnings
• The equipment has been designed to operate normally under the following environmental
conditions :-
Location Indoor use only.
Max altitude 2000m
Temperature range 5°C to 40°C
Maximum humidity Less than 75%
• When siting the equipment, care should be taken to ensure that proper airflow is
maintained to the motor.
• If this equipment is used in a manner not specified by the manufacturer, the protection
provided by the equipment may be impaired. Do not operate the instrument outside its
rated supply voltages or environmental range. In particular, excessive moisture may
impair safety.
• Translation stages can be made to move without warning. Ensure that the stages can
move their full travel range without risk of fouling on external objects. All cables should
be routed to avoid the risk of them becoming entangled.
•

5
Chapter 2
Overview
2.1 Introduction
The NanoStep NST series of long travel stages are well suited for industrial
applications. The compact package has been ruggedized and shielded to ensure
continuous service-free operation even in the harshest environments. Improved
performance as well as a small form factor results from building the stepper motor
directly into the stage assembly, thereby achieving direct coupling of the stepper
motor to the precision lead screw. This direct coupling eliminates the need for a
numberof components, increasingthe stiffness of the drive train and improvng overall
system reliability. The stepper motor drive system utilizes a trapezoidal-shaped
1mm per rev pitch lead screw which provides a high load carrying capability. Using
the BSC002 stepper motor driver with its micro-stepping capabilities provides a step
size of 40nm.
Thorlabs nanopositioning team has a 20 year history of providing motion control
products for the photonic industry. The high quality stepper motor offers excellent
dynamic and static torque performance and the design provides the detailed features
required of any true nanopositioning product by combining a matched set of crossed
roller bearings with a precision ground trapezoidal lead screw, and a highly
repeatable ceramic tipped home detection limit switch.

6
Chapter 3
Installation and Operation
3.1 Unpacking
Note. Retain the packing in which the unit was shipped, for use in future transportation.
Caution. Once removed from its packaging, the NanoStep is easily damaged by
mishandling. The unit should only be handled by its base, not by the motor or any
attachments to the moving platform.
The Nanostep NST stages aresuppliedwith their carriages locked to prevent damage
during transit. These red transit brackets are secured by four cap head screws and
must be removed BEFORE any attempt is made to move the stage.
3.2 Mounting to a Work Surface
3.2.1 General
When mounting the NanoMax close to other equipment, ensure that the travel of the
moving platform is not obstructed. If equipment mounted on the moving platform is
driven against a solid object, damage to the internal mechanism could occur. The
range of travel for each model is as follows:
NST50 - 50mm, NST100 - 100mm, NST150 - 150mm.

7
Intentionally Blank
3.2.2 Mounting a Single Stage to a Work Surface
The NanoStep stage is supplied with both end-mounting (NST150P1) and side-
mounting (AMA057) plates to enable the motor to stand clear when a stage is
mounted flat to an optical table. The stage can also be mounted in other orientations
- see Section 3.2.3. and 3.2.4
The brackets attach to the underside of the base (M6 screws supplied) - see Fig. 3.1.
Caution. Use only the M6 x 8mm cap head screws supplied. If longer screws are used,
the internal mechanism of the stage could be damaged.
Fig. 3.1 Attaching mounting plates
AA
AAAA
AA
4 holes 'A'
alternative positions
on NST150 stage only
side mounting kit - AMA057end mounting kit - NST150P1
Note. Mounting plates are 8.0 (0.32) thick
plates fitted from underside
with M6 screws clearence holes for M6
(1/4-20 UNC) fixings
50 (1.97)
151.2 (5.95)
TOPTOP

8
Chapter 3 Installation and Operation
3.2.3 Mounting stages in X-Y configurations
Caution. The following procedure exposes the internal mechanism of the stage. Great
care must be taken to prevent the ingress of dirt or contamination.
Tools required:
small cross-head screw driver,
5mm hexagon key,
qty 4, M6 x 8 (1/4-20 UNC x 3/8) cap head bolts,
engineers square and a flat plate.
Fig. 3.2 X-Y configuration
1) Fix the lower stage to the worksurface, as detailed in Section 3.2.2.
2) Remove the bellows securing screws (2 each side of the moving platform) on
stage to be fitted on top.
3) Turn the motor knob to move the top platform of the upper stage sufficiently to gain
access to the fixing holes in the stage base plate.
4) Position the stages as shown in Fig. 3.2.
X
Y
Y
X
bellows securing screws
(qty 2 both sides of moving platform)
bellows
square
flat plate
adjust with
mounting screws