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K-Cube™ Solenoid Controller![]()
KSC101 Solenoid Controller Application Idea A KSC101 Controller can be Used to Drive an SH05 Optical Beam Shutter Table Mounting Plate ![]() Please Wait ![]() Click to Enlarge Back and Top Views of the KSC101 K-Cube (See the Pin Diagrams Tab for More Information) Features
![]() Click to Enlarge KCH601 USB Controller Hub with Installed K-Cube and T-Cube Modules (T-Cubes Require the KAP101 Adapter) The KSC101 K-Cube Solenoid Controller is a part of Thorlabs' new and growing Kinesis® line of high-end, compact motion controllers. Designed to provide easy manual or automatic control of 15 V solenoid actuated devices, such as our SH05 optical beam shutter, this compact controller features an embedded digital signal processor (DSP) to provide a multitude of flexible operating modes; see the Specs tab for details. Embedded software functionality allows this unit to control solenoid devices using the on-unit menu button, display, and control wheel; using DSP timed operations; or using external trigger signals for operation with third-party equipment. The trigger out connection, defaulted on Trigger 2, allows multiple K-Cube controllers to be connected together for synchronized multi-channel system operation. The KSC101 is also equipped with built-in safety interlock functionality in the form of a 3.5 mm stereo jack. A shorted connector is included for overriding this connection, while a custom circuit may be created for lab safety applications using the included 3.5 mm stereo connector. The circuit must be closed for the controller to be able to open the shutter. To comply with laser safety requirements, the controller also features a key switch that enables or disables opening of the shutter. The unit has a highly compact 60.0 mm x 60.0 mm x 49.2 mm footprint, allowing it to be positioned close to the motorized system for added convenience when manually adjusting positions using the top panel controls. Tabletop operation also allows minimal drive cable lengths for easier cable management. Each unit also contains a front-located power switch that, when turned off, saves all user-adjustable settings. Please note that this switch should always be used to power down the unit. USB connectivity provides easy 'Plug-and-Play' PC-controlled operation with two available software platforms: our new Kinesis software package or our legacy APT (Advanced Positioning Technology) software package. The Kinesis software features new .NET controls that can be used by 3rd party developers working in the latest C#, Visual Basic, LabVIEW™, or any .NET compatible languages to create custom applications. Our legacy APT software allows the user to quickly set up complex move sequences with advanced controls made possible via the ActiveX® programming environment. All relevant operating parameters are set automatically by the software for Thorlabs stage and actuator products. For more details on both software packages, please see the Motion Control Software and APT Tutorials tabs. For convenience, a 1.5 m long Type A to Type Micro B USB 3.0 cable is included with the KSC101 cube. Optical Table Mounting Plate Power Supply Options
![]() Click to Enlarge Mechanical Drawing of the KSC101 and Included Optical Table Adapter Solenoid ConnectionHirose Female![]()
Computer Connection**The USB 3.0 port is compatible with a USB 2.0 Micro B connector if the Micro B connector is plugged into the shaded region in the photo above. A USB 3.0 type A to type Micro B cable is included with the KSC101.
K-Cube™ Mounting OptionsTwo options are available to securely mount our K-Cube™ controllers onto an optical table. An optical table mounting plate, provided with every K-Cube, allows for a single controller to be attached to an optical table. Alternatively, three- and six-port USB controller hubs are offered (sold separately) that can mount and power our K-Cube controllers. These options are described in further detail below. Optical Table Mounting Plate Kinesis USB Controller Hubs K-Cube Table Mounting PlateUnlike T-Cubes, every K-Cube includes a mounting plate that clips onto the base of the controller. The plate contains two magnets for temporary placement on an optical table and two counterbores for 1/4"-20 (M6) cap screws for more permanent placement on the tabletop. Kinesis USB Controller Hubs3- and 6-Port USB Controller Hubs allow multiple controllers to be connected to one PC for multi-axis applications. K-Cubes can be directly attached to the hubs while T-Cubes require a KAP101 Adapter Plate.
Introducing Thorlabs' Kinesis® Motion ControllersA major upgrade to the former-generation T-Cubes, the growing K-Cube line of high-end controllers provides increased versatility not only through the new Kinesis software, but through an overhaul and updating of their physical design and firmware. Unlike T-Cubes, every K-Cube controller includes a digital display. In addition to basic input and output readouts, this display hosts a number of menu options that include operating modes, set on/off time, and cycle counts. The on-unit wheel and menu button are used to scroll through the available options. Each unit also contains a front-located power switch that, when turned off, saves all user-adjustable settings as well as two bidirectional SMC trigger ports that accept or output a 5 V TTL logic signal. Please see the table to the right for a full comparison of the features offered by our new KSC101 K-Cube and previous-generation TSC001 T-Cube solenoid controllers.
Kinesis USB Controller Hubs K-Cubes simply clip into place using the provided on-unit clips, while current- and previous-generation T-Cubes require the KAP101 Adapter Plate, shown in the animation to the below right. The hub vastly reduces the number of USB and power cables required when operating multiple controllers. K-Cube Table Mounting PlateUnlike T-Cubes, every K-Cube includes a mounting plate that clips onto the base of the controller. The plate contains two magnets for temporary placement on an optical table and two counterbores for 1/4"-20 (M6) cap screws for more permanent placement on the tabletop. Kinesis USB Controller Hubs3- and 6-Port USB Controller Hubs allow multiple controllers to be connected to one PC for multi-axis applications. K-Cubes can be directly attached to the hubs while T-Cubes require a KAP101 Adapter Plate. Thorlabs offers two platforms to drive our wide range of motion controllers: our Kinesis® software package or the legacy APT™ (Advanced Positioning Technology) software package. Either package can be used to control devices in the Kinesis family, which covers a wide range of motion controllers ranging from small, low-powered, single-channel drivers (such as the K-Cubes™ and T-Cubes™) to high-power, multi-channel, modular 19" rack nanopositioning systems (the APT Rack System). The Kinesis Software features .NET controls which can be used by 3rd party developers working in the latest C#, Visual Basic, LabVIEW™, or any .NET compatible languages to create custom applications. Low-level DLL libraries are included for applications not expected to use the .NET framework. A Central Sequence Manager supports integration and synchronization of all Thorlabs motion control hardware. ![]() Kinesis GUI Screen ![]() APT GUI Screen Our legacy APT System Software platform offers ActiveX-based controls which can be used by 3rd party developers working on C#, Visual Basic, LabVIEW™, or any Active-X compatible languages to create custom applications and includes a simulator mode to assist in developing custom applications without requiring hardware. By providing these common software platforms, Thorlabs has ensured that users can easily mix and match any of the Kinesis and APT controllers in a single application, while only having to learn a single set of software tools. In this way, it is perfectly feasible to combine any of the controllers from single-axis to multi-axis systems and control all from a single, PC-based unified software interface. The software packages allow two methods of usage: graphical user interface (GUI) utilities for direct interaction with and control of the controllers 'out of the box', and a set of programming interfaces that allow custom-integrated positioning and alignment solutions to be easily programmed in the development language of choice. A range of video tutorials is available to help explain our APT system software. These tutorials provide an overview of the software and the APT Config utility. Additionally, a tutorial video is available to explain how to select simulator mode within the software, which allows the user to experiment with the software without a controller connected. Please select the APT Tutorials tab above to view these videos. SoftwareKinesis Version 1.14.25 The Kinesis Software Package, which includes a GUI for control of Thorlabs' Kinesis and APT™ system controllers. Also Available:
Thorlabs' Kinesis® software features new .NET controls which can be used by third-party developers working in the latest C#, Visual Basic, LabVIEW™, or any .NET compatible languages to create custom applications. C# For a collection of example projects that can be compiled and run to demonstrate the different ways in which developers can build on the Kinesis motion control libraries, click on the links below. Please note that a separate integrated development environment (IDE) (e.g., Microsoft Visual Studio) will be required to execute the Quick Start examples. The C# example projects can be executed using the included .NET controls in the Kinesis software package (see the Kinesis Software tab for details).
LabVIEW
These videos illustrate some of the basics of using the APT System Software from both a non-programming and a programming point of view. There are videos that illustrate usage of the supplied APT utilities that allow immediate control of the APT controllers out of the box. There are also a number of videos that explain the basics of programming custom software applications using Visual Basic, LabView and Visual C++. Watch the videos now to see what we mean.
To further assist programmers, a guide to programming the APT software in LabView is also available.
![]() ![]() Click to Enlarge KCH301 USB Controller Hub (Sold Separately) with Installed K-Cube and T-Cube Modules (T-Cubes Require the KAP101 Adapter)
Thorlabs' KSC101 K-Cube Solenoid Controller provides local and computerized control of a 15 V solenoid actuated device. It features a top-mounted control panel with digital display menu that can be used to switch between manual, automatic, and triggered operating modes. The digital display includes a backlight that can be dimmed or turned off using the top panel menu options. The front of the unit contains two bidirectional trigger ports that can be used to read a 5 V external logic signal or output a 5 V logic signal to control external equipment. Each port can be independently configured to control the logic level or to set the trigger as an input or output. Trig 1 and Trig 2 are defaulted as input and output triggers, respectively. The unit is fully compatible with our new Kinesis software package and our legacy APT control software. Please see the Motion Control Software tab for more information. Please note that this controller does not ship with a power supply. Compatible power supplies are listed below. ![]() ![]() Click for Details A location-specific adapter is shipped with the power supply unit based on your location. The adapters for the KPS101 are shown here. ![]() Click to Enlarge The KPS101 Power Supply Unit
The KPS101 power supply outputs +15 VDC at up to 2.4 A and can power a single K-Cube or T-Cube with a 3.5 mm jack. It plugs into a standard wall outlet. The KCH301 and KCH601 USB Controller Hubs each consist of two parts: the hub, which can support up to three (KCH301) or six (KCH601) K-Cubes or T-Cubes, and a power supply that plugs into a standard wall outlet. The hub draws a maximum current of 10 A; please verify that the cubes being used do not require a total current of more than 10 A. In addition, the hub provides USB connectivity to any docked K-Cube or T-Cube through a single USB connection. For more information on the USB Controller Hubs, see the full web presentation. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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