NanoFlex Translation Stage

• Manual Translation Range: 1.5 mm
• Piezoelectric Translation Range: 25 µm
• Compact Size - 30 mm Sq. x 12.5 mm Thick
• XYZ Configurable with Optional Base Plate
  and Angle Bracket
• All Drive Cables Included
• Compatible Piezo Controllers:
  TPZ001, BPC301, MDT694A, MPZ601
• Available Bundled with TPZ001 Piezo Controller
  (See Bundles Tab for Details)

Thorlabs' NanoFlex™ flexure stages are compact stages that offer translation without friction or sticking. The flexure mechanism used in these translation stages is a frictionless mechanism that has improved positioning and resolution when compared to similar stages made using bearings. The translation of the stage is accomplished by the elastic deformation (flexing) of a linkage attached to the mounting platform. The translation stage has a manual translation range of 1.5 mm with an independent piezoelectric translation range of 25 μm (see the Selection Guide tab for stages with 5 mm manual translation). Piezo connection is by a standard SMC terminal.

The NanoFlex™ flexure stages are rated for a maximum load of 0.5 kg (1.1 lbs), which makes them an ideal choice for many laboratory and OEM applications. The modular design allows for multiple stages to be stacked in multi-axis configurations. An XYZ configuration can be constructed using three NF15AP25(/M) stages and an NF15P2(/M) angle bracket. Thorlabs offers an imperial (TPZNF15) and metric (TPZNF15/M) bundle that includes a NanoFlex™ flexure stage, a TPZ001 piezo controller, and a mounting bracket. Please see the Bundles tab for more information.

These specifications are for the stage used in a single-axis configuration. When translation stages are stacked to make multi-axis configurations the resolution of the positioning system is deteriorated by cosine and Abbe errors (crosstalk). The positioning error cause by the stacked stages not being orthogonal to each other is referred to as the cosine error while the Abbe error is due to the non-zero height of the stacked stage. This height leads to an amplification of any angular roll, pitch, or yaw errors in the base stage. These errors can be avoided by using a multi-axis translation stage where the degrees of freedom are controlled by parallel linkages. A variety of 3, 4, 5, and 6 axis stages can be purchased from Thorlabs in a wide variety of manual and automated configurations. For a 3-axis solution, consider the MAX311D and MAX312D translation stages.

Thorlabs offers an extensive selection of single-axis translation stages and multi-axis flexure translation stages. The 3-axis flexure translation stages, MAX311D and MAX312D, are similar to the NF series of stages in that they have a manual adjustment range of (4 mm) and a piezoelectric translation range of (20 μm).

Stage and Controller Packages

(10% Savings Over Individual Components)

The TPZNF15(/M) bundle includes the NF15AP25(/M) stage, TPZ001 T-Cube piezo controller, piezo drive cable, and NF15P1(/M) mounting plate. The stage provides 0.06" (1.5 mm) of total translation via a thumbscrew. For finer adjustment, the piezo drive offers 25 µm of translation with 10 nm resolution. Please see the Drawings & Documents tab for mechanical drawings of the NF15AP25(/M).

T-Cube Piezo Controller

The TPZ001 can be controlled by its top panel for standalone operation or through its PC interface. The TPZ001 connects to a PC via a mini USB port and utilizes Thorlabs' apt™ software. The apt™ software features an intuitive graphical user interface (GUI) that allows the unit to be controlled completely a PC. For more demanding applications, customers can utilize ActiveX® programming to create their own software for Thorlabs' line of T-Cubes.

Power Supplies

The TPZ001 comes without a power supply as our customers have varying needs. Please see the recommended power supplies listed in the price box below. For applications using one or two TPZ001 controllers the TPS002 Power Supply is ideal while applications that require several (up to six) T-Cube controllers are often better implemented by using the TCH002 Controller Hub and power supply.