Features

• Load Capacities:
• 20 lbs (9 kg) Horizontal
• 10 lbs (4.5 kg) Vertical
• Translation Speeds up to 3.0 mm/s
• Modular Design allows XYZ Configurability
• Locking Screw Locks Stage in Place

The MT1-Z8 and MT3-Z8 series of motorized translation stages provide the same modular flexibility and features as the standard MT series, but feature our Z812B DC Servo Motor in place of manual actuators. The translation stage used in the MT series of stages uses hardened steel linear bearings for precision motion with minimal wear. The modular design of the single-axis translation stage allows for the construction of XY and XYZ configured translation systems using the MT Series Accessories below. In such configurations, precision dowel pins ensure the orthoganality between each single-axis stage.

The DC servo motors used in the MT1-Z8 and MT3-Z8 series have commercial-grade, internal limit switches that provide overdrive protection, and the feedback from the DC motor encoder allows the stage to be positioned with sub-micron resolution. The inline 67:1 planetary gear head enables these stages to carry vertical loads up to 10 lbs and horizontal loads up to 20 lbs, while maintaining a package diameter of 0.59" (15 mm). Our TDC001 Single-Channel T-Cube DC Servo Motor Controller is ideally suited for use with these Z812 motorized stages. Appropriate power supplies for the TDC001 are below. Note that if you will be using a Z8 series DC Servo Motor with a previously purchased TDC001, you may need to update your firmware to version 1.0.10 or later. This update is included in the APTServer Software download.

The Z812B DC servo motors shipped with these stages are provided with 1.6' (0.5 m) of cable. A 8' (2.5 m) extension cable, PAA632, is also available.

Mounting Adapters
Four adapters are available for use with the MT series of translation stages. The MT401 base plate is helpful when building an XY stage configuration, as the mounting holes on the bottom stage will be blocked by the stage mounted on top. This adapter allows the XY-configured stage to be moved and fastened to a breadboard without having to disassemble the stage. The MT402 is a right-angle bracket; when used with the MT401 base plate and three MT series stages, it is possible to build an XYZ configuration (e.g., MT3-Z8).

The MT405 side actuator allows the stage's micrometer or Z812B actuator to be positioned on the side of the stage, rather than at the back, thereby shortening the stage's overall length. Thorlabs also offers the MT406(/M) adapter plate, which allows flexure stage accessories to be used with tthe MT series of stages.

Please see the Specs tab above for more information on these stages.

Stage Specifications

How to Calculate the Linear Displacement per Encoder Count

For the Z812B, there are 512 encoder counts per revolution of the motor. The output shaft of the motor goes into a 67:1 planetary gear head. This requires the motor to rotate 67 times to rotate the 1.0 mm pitch lead screw one revolution. The end result is the lead screw advances by 1.0 mm.

The linear displacement of the actuator per encoder count is given by

512 x 67 = 34,304 encoder counts per revolution of the lead screw,

whereas the linear displacement of the lead screw per encoder count is given by

1.0 mm / 34,304 counts = 2.9 x 10^-5 mm (29 nm).

Z812B Connector Pin Out

D-type Male

Pin	Description	Pin	Description
1	Ground (Limit and Vcc)	8	Reserved For Future Use
2	Forward Limit	9	Ident Resistor
3	Reverse Limit	10	Vcc (5 V DC)
4	Reserved For Future Use	11	Encoder Channel A
5	Motor (-)	12	Reserved For Future Use
6	Reserved For Future Use	13	Encoder Channel B
7	Motor (+)	14, 15	Reserved For Future Use