THORLABS DDSM50 Series User manual

HA0335T
DDSM50
Direct Drive Translation Stage
User Guide
Original Instructions

Page 0 ETN014545-D02
DDSM50 Direct Drive Translation Stage
Contents
Chaper 1 Overview ..................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Introduction ........................................................................................ 1
Chaper 2 Safety .......................................................................................................... 2
2.1 Safety Information ............................................................................. 2
2.2 General Warnings .............................................................................. 3
Chaper 3 Installation .................................................................................................. 4
3.1 Unpacking ........................................................................................... 4
3.2 Mounting ............................................................................................. 4
3.2.1 Vertical Mounting .................................................................................... 4
3.2.2 General ................................................................................................... 4
3.2.3 Mounting the Stage to the Work Surface ................................................ 5
3.2.4 Mounting In Multi-Axis Configurations .................................................... 6
3.3 Electrical Connections ...................................................................... 7
Chaper 4 Operation .................................................................................................... 8
4.1 General ............................................................................................... 8
4.2 Using the Kinesis software ............................................................... 9
4.3 Using the APT Software .................................................................. 12
4.4 Position Error Messages. ................................................................ 14
4.5 Transportation .................................................................................. 15
Chaper 5 Maintenance and Parts List ..................................................................... 16
5.1 Maintenance ..................................................................................... 16
5.2 Parts List ........................................................................................... 16
Chaper 6 Specification ............................................................................................. 17
6.1 Stage Specification .......................................................................... 17
6.2 Motor Specification .......................................................................... 18
Chaper 7 Regulatory ................................................................................................ 19
7.1 Declarations Of Conformity ............................................................ 19
7.1.1 For Customers in Europe ...................................................................... 19
7.1.2 For Customers In The USA ................................................................... 19
7.2 CE Certification ................................................................................ 20
Chaper 8 Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts ................................................................ 21

Rev D Apr 2019 Page 1
Chapter 1 Overview
Chapter 1 Overview
1.1 Introduction
The Thorlabs’ DDSM50 low-profile, direct-drive stage provides 50 mm of travel with
500 nm resolution and a maximum speed of 500 mm/s. The stage is ideal for
applications that require high speeds and high positioning accuracy, including
automated alignment, surface inspection, mapping, and probing.
The stage has a compact low-profile design [145 x 52 x 35 mm (5.71” x 2.05” x 1.38”)]
with integrated, brushless linear motors eliminates the external housings that create
mechanical clash points and impede access to the moving platform. The direct-drive
technology removes the need for a lead screw, eliminating backlash. A precision-
grooved linear bearing provides superior rigidity and linearity with excellent on-axis
accuracy. This backlash-free operation coupled with high-resolution, closed-loop
optical feedback ensures a minimal bidirectional repeatability of 1.5 µm. Along with
the Thorlabs KBD101 controller and the Thorlabs APT software interface, it forms a
truely plug and play system.
The DDSM50 stage has been designed for easy XY configuration when used with the
DDSMP1 XY adapter plate. Two KBD101 controllers are then required to control two
stages in the XY configuration.
Characterized by high-speed translation and high-positional accuracy, the DDSM50
stage is well-suited for surface mapping and characterization applications where
there is a need to move a camera or probe at constant velocity while simultaneously
capturing data.
Fig. 1.1 Typical XY Configuration

Page 2 ETN014545-D02
DDSM50 Direct Drive Translation Stage
Chapter 2 Safety
2.1 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.
Warning: Risk of Electrical Shock
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.

Rev D Apr 2019 Page 3
Chapter 2 Safety
2.2 General Warnings
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.
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.
When bolting the stage to the work surface, high tightening torque of the
attachment bolts can result in an increased resistive force on the moving
platform. This in turn can lead to degraded performance and may require the
PID parameters to be adjusted. As a general guide, 70 N.cm is a recommended
nominal torque when tightening the attachment bolts.
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.

Page 4
DDSM50 Direct Drive Translation Stage
Chapter 3 Installation
3.1 Unpacking
3.2 Mounting
3.2.1 Vertical Mounting
3.2.2 General
Note
During handling or shipping, the moving platform must be constrained to avoid
damage to the bearings.
Retain the packing in which the unit was shipped, for use in future transportation.
Caution
Once removed from its packaging, the stage can be easily damaged by
mishandling. The unit should only be handled by its base, not by any
attachments to the moving platform.
Caution
The stage is not suitable for mounting in a vertical (Z-axis) configuration.
Caution
The straightness of motion of the stage could be affected if the mounting
surface is not flat. Care should be taken when bolting the stage to the
worksurface, to ensure that the base plate does not warp. Shims should be
fitted as necessary - see Section 3.2. for more details.
When bolting the stage to the work surface, high tightening torque of the
attachment bolts can result in an increased resistive force on the moving
platform. This in turn can lead to degraded performance and may require the
PID parameters to be adjusted.
As a general guide, 70 N.cm is a recommended nominal torque when tightening
the attatchment bolts.
High drag forces can adversely affect phase initialization, homing, positioning
accuracy and general reliability. Take care to minimize drag caused by
attachments to the moving platform (cables, tubing, electrical wiring),
especially when the stage is changing direction.
When mounting the stage 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 is 100 mm (3.94“).

Rev D Apr 2019 Page 5
Chapter 3 Installation
3.2.3 Mounting the Stage to the Work Surface
The DDSM50 stage is mounted to the working surface by two M6 x 25mm (1/4-20 x 1”)
screws. The mounting holes are accessed from the top of the stage - see Fig. 3.1.
Fig. 3.1 Mounting
Caution
The performance of the stage could be affected if the mounting surface is not
flat. Care should be taken when bolting the stage to the worksurface, to ensure
that the base plate does not warp, which could cause stiffness to be
experienced in the bearing rails. Shims should be fitted as necessary.
After mounting the stage to the work surface, if any increased resistance is
experienced when moving the top platform, the likely cause is over tightening/
torquing of the mounting bolts. As a general guide, 70 N.cm is a recommended
nominal torque when tightening the attatchment bolts.
Please contact tech support for more information.

Page 6 ETN014545-D02
DDSM50 Direct Drive Translation Stage
3.2.4 Mounting In Multi-Axis Configurations
For dual-axis applications, two DDSM50 stages can be bolted together in an XY
configuration by using the DDSMP1 attachment plate.
Fig. 3.2 Typical XY Configuration
Regarding Fig. 3.2 above:
1) Using the four 8-32 UNC (M4) bolts supplied, fit the DDSMP1 plate to the lower
stage.
2) Using the two M3 bolts supplied, fit the upper stage to the adapter plate.
Caution
During item (1), use the bolts supplied. If these are not available, do not use
bolts longer than 3/32” (5 mm) as longer bolts could damage the internal
mechanism.
Caution
During step (2), use the bolts supplied. If these are not available, do not use
bolts longer than 8 mm as longer bolts could damage the internal mechanism.
Caution
When stages are mounted in an XY configuration, the accelerations stated in
Table 4.2 may require adjustment - see Section 4.1.
1
2

Rev D Apr 2019 Page 7
Chapter 3 Installation
3.3 Electrical Connections
The stage must be driven by a Thorlabs KBD101 controller. Connect the motor flying
lead to the MOTOR connector on the controller rear panel.
Fig. 3.3 Electrical connections
Pin out information for the connector on the motor lead is detailed below..
Fig. 3.4 MOTOR flying lead pin identification
Pin Description Pin Description
1 Quadrature A- 9 GND
2 Quadrature A+ 10 Motor Phase C (Black)
3 Quadrature B+ 11 Motor Phase A (Red)
4 Quadrature B- 12 Motor Phase B (White)
5 Encoder Index I- 13 +5 V
6 Encoder Index I+ 14 GND
7 Negative Limit 15 Stage ID
8 Positive Limit
87654321
1514131211109

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DDSM50 Direct Drive Translation Stage
Chapter 4 Operation
4.1 General
The stage is connected to the controller via a flying lead, terminated in a D-type
connector.
For a complete tutorial on using the stage, see the manual supplied with the KBD101
controller. Basic steps in controlling the stage are as follows:
1) Make electrical connections as detailed in Section 3.3.
2) Manually position the moving platform to be around its central position.
3) Power up the KBD101 controller and wait until the Channel Enable LED starts
flashing (~3s).
4) Press and hold the ENABLE button for ~3 seconds to initiate a home sequence.
Alternatively, run the APTUser utility and click the ‘Home’ button on each GUI
panel. When homing is complete, the Channel Enable LED stops flashing.
Caution
The DDSM50 stage is designed to be driven by the Thorlabs KBD101
Brushless DC Motor K-Cube. For full compatibility, the controller should have
Firmware version 1.0.1 or higher. The Firmware version is displayed in
brackets, in the top right hand corner of the GUI panel for the Motor ActiveX
control.
Caution
The motor controller must be switched OFF before the stages are plugged in or
unplugged. Failure to switch the controller off may result in damage to either the
controller, the stage, or both.
Caution
3-phase brushless DC motors are commutated electronically, i.e. the controller
drives the coils with a precisely controlled waveform, that depends on the
position of the motor coil housing. On power up, the position of the coil housing
is not known. The controller establishes this by energising the coils and
measuring the resulting movement. This is why on power up, the stage (motor)
may make a slight buzzing noise and move slightly. Phase initialisation can only
take place if the motor can move unobstructed during this time. Before
powering up the KBD101 controller at item (2), ensure that the stage movement
is unobstructed.