Thorlabs - High-Speed Motorized Scanning Stage

Item #	MLS203 Series
Travel Range	110 mm x 75 mm (4.3" x 2.95")
Velocity (Max)	250 mm/s
Acceleration (Max)	2000 mm/s²
Bidirectional Repeatability	0.25 µm
Unidirectional Repeatability	0.25 µm
Horizontal Load Capacity (Max)	1.0 kg (2.2 lb)
Min. Achievable Incremental Movement	0.1 µm
Home Location Accuracy	0.25 µm
Absolute On-Axis Accuracy	<3 µm

Features

Low Profile: 31.0 mm (1.22") Tall
Compact Footprint: 260 x 230 mm (10.24" x 9.06")
Integrated Brushless DC Linear Servo Motor Actuators
Linear Optical Encoders
High Quality, Precision Engineered Linear Bearings
High Repeatability (0.25 µm) and Position Accuracy (<3.0 µm)
Range of Sample Holders Available

Thorlabs' MLS203 Series stages have been designed as drop-in replacements for the manual stages found on select Nikon, Olympus and Zeiss microscopes to provide motorized XY positioning of microscopy samples. Adapter brackets can be purchased separately where required, that enable the stage to be fitted to a particular microscope. Furthermore, optional mounting brackets (MLSA01) enable the MLS203-1 stage to be bolted to an optical table or breadboard as part of a custom built microscope setup or for use in typical photonics applications - see below for more details.

The internally integrated, brushless DC servo motors with optical linear encoders enable scanning speeds of up to 250 mm/s. The innovative low-profile design eliminates the external motor housings that create mechanical clash points and impede access to the sample. The closed-loop active feedback ensures correct positioning with a resolution of 0.1 µm and a bidirectional repeatability of only 0.25 µm, while a fully user configurable S-curve acceleration/deceleration profile allows fast, smooth positioning without vibration or shock to delicate biological samples under investigation.

Characterized by high-speed scanning capabilities and high positional accuracy, this stage is ideal for manually or automatically positioning a wide range of specimens and samples in many types of microscopy or imaging techniques and applications. Very precise manual fine positioning and control at the cellular level is easily achieved through the combination of a stable closed-loop control system and an associated joystick option.

Controller Option
The recommended controller for the MLS203 stage is the BBD202 dual-axis Brushless DC Motor Controller. These controllers provide a user-configurable, S-curve acceleration/deceleration profile that enables fast, smooth positioning without vibration or shock. See below for a brief overview, or click here to view the full presentation for these Brushless DC Motor Controllers. The controller is provided with our apt GUI interface, which also features ActiveX controls. It is also compatible with µManager.

Specimen Holders and Mounting Accessories
Mounting brackets for a range of inverted and upright microscopes can be purchased separately. Please see below for more details. Work surface mounting brackets (MLSA01) are also available that enable the stage to be bolted to an optical table or breadboard as part of a custom-built microscope setup or for use in typical photonics applications. Please contact your local technical support office for more information pertaining to microscope compatibility and made-to-measure custom brackets.

We offer a range of accessory adapters to allow the positioning of standard microscope slides, multiwell plates, Petri dishes and mounted metalurgical specimens. A joystick console is also available for remote, manual positioning. See below for more details.

MLS203 Stage
Travel Range	110 mm x 75 mm (4.3" x 2.95")
Speed (Max)	250 mm/s
Acceleration (Max)	2000 mm/s²
Bidirectional Repeatability	0.25 µm
Unidirectional Repeatability	0.25 µm
Backlash^a	N/A
Load Capacity (Max)	1 kg (2.2 lb)
Incremental Movement (Min)	0.1 µm
Absolute On-Axis Accuracy	< 3 µm
Percentage Accuracy (Max)	X-Axis: 0.0027% Y-Axis: 0.004%
Home Location Accuracy	0.25 µm
Settling Time within 1 µm (600 g Load)	0.1 s
Settling Time within 0.1 µm (600 g Load)	0.6 s
Weight (Including Cables)	3.2 kg (7.0 lbs)
Limit Switches	X and Y as Standard
Bearing Type	Precision Linear Bearing
Motor Type	Brushless DC Linear Motor
Dimensions (Mid Travel)	250 mm x 229.3 mm x 31 mm (9.84" x 9.03" x 1.22")
Recommended Controller	BBD202

The stage does not suffer from backlash because there is no leadscrew.

BBD202 Controller
Drive Connector	8-Pin DIN, Round, Female
Feedback Connector	15-Pin D-Type
Continuous Drive Output	5 A
PWM Frequency	40 kHz
Operating Modes	Position and Velocity
Control Algorithm	16-Bit Digital PID Servo Loop with Velocity and Acceleration Feedforward
Velocity Profile	Trapezoidal/S-Curve
Position Count	32 Bit
Position Feedback	Incremental Encoder
Encoder Bandwidth	2.5 MHz 10 M Counts/s
Encoder Supply	5 V
AUX Control Connector	15-Pin D-Type
Input Power	250 VA
	Volt: 85 to 264 VAC Freq: 46 to 63 Hz Fuse: 3.15 A
Dimensions	240 mm x 337.9 mm x 124.8 mm (9.5" x 13.3" x 4.9")
Weight	6.1 kg (13.42 lb)

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Posted Comments:

Poster:

Posted Date: 2013-02-13 20:40:54.45

Is MLS203-1 High speed motorized scanning stage controllable with Cellsens software from Olympus?

Poster: cj

Posted Date: 2013-02-13 12:47:11.367

Can I mount a heating insert onto this device? The link below is the insert I plan on using. http://www.pecon.biz/?page_id=765 Also is this device capable of with standing the hot/humid environment in an incubation chamber?

Poster: jlow

Posted Date: 2013-02-18 11:56:00.0

Response from Jeremy at Thorlabs: We do not have specific operating temperature specs for this but the recommended temperature is <40°C. This device is not meant to be operated in a high humidity environment so I would NOT recommend using this in an incubation chamber.

Poster: jlow

Posted Date: 2013-02-18 11:53:00.0

Response from Jeremy at Thorlabs: Unfortunately the MLS203-1 is not compatible with Cellsens software from Olympus. It can be used in micromanager which is another popular microscopy suite. If you are interested in this, please let us know and we can send you details on the setup procedure.

Poster: bdada

Posted Date: 2012-04-23 17:47:00.0

Response from Buki at Thorlabs to david: Thank you for your feedback. We only recommend that the MLS and other brushless stages are used with Thorlabs controllers because we cannot guarantee safe use with 3rd party controllers. Please consider using our BBD102 controller shown in the page linked below: http://www.thorlabs.de/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=5360 We have contacted you to discuss this further.

Poster: david.naylor

Posted Date: 2012-04-19 06:20:42.0

Hi, I would like to use existing aerotech soloist controllers that we have http://www.aerotech.com/product-catalog/drives-and-drive-racks/soloist-mp.aspx to drive each axis of the MLS203-1. Could you tell me if you foresee any problems with this configuration. Thanks David

Poster: tcohen

Posted Date: 2012-03-08 12:30:00.0

Response from Tim at Thorlabs: Thank you for your feedback. Yes, the stage can be used in µManager. You should be able to select the stage from the list of available devices in µManager when setting up the hardware configuration.

Poster:

Posted Date: 2012-03-08 08:06:39.0

Compatible with µManager ?

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