THORLABS ELL9 User manual

ELL9K Four position Slider Evaluation Kit
HA0386T
ELL9(K)
Four Position Slider Kit
Operating Manual
Original Instructions

ELL9K Four position Slider 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
Controlling the Stage ....................................................................................................................................6
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
Periodic Cycling of Devices Over Full Range of Travel ...........................................................................11
Frequency Search........................................................................................................................................11
Restoring Factory Settings.........................................................................................................................11
Simultaneous Movement of Devices..........................................................................................................12
Chapter 5 Troubleshooting and FAQ .....................................................................................................................................13
Frequently Asked Questions......................................................................................................................13
Notes on Making a Picoflex Cable for Use when Daisy Chaining Devices.............................................14
Chapter 6 Specifications.........................................................................................................................................................16
Chapter 7 Regulatory...............................................................................................................................................................17
Declarations of Conformity.........................................................................................................................17
7.1.1 For Customers in Europe..................................................................................................................17
7.1.2 For Customers In The USA...............................................................................................................18
Chapter 8 Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts...............................................................................................................................19

ELL9K Four-Position Slider Evaluation Kit Chapter 1: Introduction
Rev. C, Feb 2020 Page 1
Chapter 1 Introduction
The ELL9 four position slider for SM1 optics is part of the Thorlabs series of piezoelectric resonant motor circuits and bare
modules for OEM applications. The resonant piezo design of these 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 slider features four mounting positions for SM1 optics. It can be post-mounted using our ER series cage system rods and a
CP02(/M) Cage Plate (see Section 3.2.). It is also compatible with 30 mm cage systems. It offers 93 mm (3.6”) of travel with 100
µm repeatability and a switching time of <500 to <700 ms. The module is powered via an external 5V power supply: a 5V PSU
is provided with the ELL9K.
A hand-held controller is supplied with the ELL9K evaluation kit to allow manual switching between the four positions. The unit
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.

ELL9K Four-Position Slider Evaluation Kit Chapter 2: Safety
Page 2DTN000391-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.
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.

ELL9K Four-Position Slider Evaluation Kit Chapter 3: Installation
Rev. C, Feb 2020 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.
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.

ELL9K Four-Position Slider Evaluation Kit Chapter 3: Installation
Page 4DTN000391-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.
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.
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 0 is on the right hand side.
Figure 1 ELL9 Four-Position Optic Slider

ELL9K Four-Position Slider Evaluation Kit Chapter 3: Installation
Rev. C, Feb 2020 Page 5
There are several options for mounting the sliders. The ELLA1 Post Mount Adapter, which is available below, 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 CP02 Cage Plate, four ER1 rods, a Ø1/2"
post, and a post holder mount and support the assembled ELL9K.
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

ELL9K Four-Position Slider Evaluation Kit Chapter 4: Operation
Page 6DTN000391-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 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.
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. Turn on and boot up the host PC.
3. 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 8 and section 5.2) which should be adjacent to the red wire in the connecting cable.
4. Connect the stage to a 5V supply and switch ‘ON’. (A 5 V PSU is supplied with the ELL9K).
Caution
Boot up the PC BEFORE connecting the USB cable. DO NOT connect a powered ELL kit toa PC thatis not powered
up and running.
5. Using the USB cable supplied, connect the handset to the PC.
6. If required, and 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.
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 2, Forward moves the stage to the
right and backward moves to the left.

ELL9K Four-Position Slider Evaluation Kit Chapter 4: Operation
Rev. C, Feb 2020 Page 7
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 ELL9K Evaluation Kit also contains 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.
LED1 (green) is lit when power is applied to the unit. LED2 (red) is lit when the device being driven is in motion.
Figure 5Handset details
Using the hand-held controller and referencing Figure 1 and Figure 5:
1. Connect the hand-held controller to the stage unit.
2. Connect the hand-held controller to the 5V Power Supply and switch on.
3. Wait while the stage powers up and goes through its homing sequence.
4. To increment the position of the slider, press and hold JOG then press FW.
The switching time between positions is <500 ms no load and <700 ms with 150g load.
5. To decrement the position of the slider, press and hold JOG then press BW.
6. To Home the stage (i.e. go to position 0) press the BW button.

ELL9K Four-Position Slider Evaluation Kit Chapter 4: Operation
Page 8DTN000391-D02
4.2.2 Software Control
When connected to the host PC, the stage can be controlled remotely, via the Elliptec software.
1. Download the Elliptec software from the Downloads section at www.thorlabs.com. Double click the saved .exe file
and follow the on-screen instructions.
2. Connect the hand-held controller to the stage unit.
3. Connect the hand-held controller to the 5V Power Supply and switch on.
4. Connect the hand-held controller to the PC USB port and wait for the drivers to be installed.
5. Run the Elliptec software.
6. In the top left of the GUI panel displayed, select the COM port to which the device is connected (see Figure 6, and
click ‘Connect’. The software will search the comms bus and enumerate the device.
Figure 6 COM port drop down menu
7. Click the ‘Home’ button to home the stage.
8. The GUI and device are now ready for use. Click the position buttons to move to each position as shown in
Figure 7(0 on the right hand side of the slider through to 3 on the left hand side).
See the helpfile supplied with the software for more information.
Figure 7 Main GUI panel