Features

• Low Profile
• 100 mm of Linear Travel
• Lightweight Aluminum Body
• Microstepping Resolution
• XYZ Configurable

The NRT Series of positioning stages are ideally suited for applications that require long travel, high precision, and high load capacity such as measurement and inspection. The main platform is supported by four recirculating ball carrier bearings mounted to precisely aligned linear guide rails, which together are capable of providing smooth motion for loads up to 20 kg. A backlash-free leadscrew produces smooth translation that is directly driven by a two-phase stepper motor capable of 25,600 microsteps per revolution, thus yielding a positional resolution of less than 100 nm. Magnetic limit switches allow homing and overdriving protection in both forward and reverse directions.

The stepper motor used in the NRT stage has 50 individual magnetic teeth and is ideally suited for microstepping applications. Aside from the obvious increase in resolution provided by increasing the steps per revolution from 200 to 25,600, microstepping also allows for much smaller and smoother low-speed motion than the discrete 1.8^o step angle, and as a result, lower vibrational noise. The use of a trapezoidal leadscrew in the NRT series also provides a number of benefits over the more common Acme-style thread. The benefits include improved durability, lower friction due to improved surface quality, and very little backdrive, which eliminates the need for the braking mechanism commonly required with ball screws.

The NRT series of stages are compact, making it possible to set up experiments in locations where space is minimal. Two stages can be directly stacked into an XY configuration or, with the use of the NRT150P1 vertical mounting bracket, three stages can be mounted into an XYZ configuration as pictured above. Alternatively, the NRT150P1 can be directly attached to an optical table for applications that require one axis of vertical translation. These various configurations are easily achieved using the assortment of mounting screws that are shipped with the NRT150P1.

The NRT series can be driven by Thorlabs' Stepper Motor Controllers, such as the BSC101, which comes with its own dedicated software package; however, any third party controller can also be used. When combined with our BSC101 apt™ stepper motor controller, the NRT Translation Stage is capable of microstepping at speeds up to 12 mm/s with 40 nm positional resolution. The PAA613, a 3 m (9.8') stepper motor drive cable, is included with this series and allows users to connect the NRT100 to the BSC101 controller.