1" (25 mm) Travel Dovetail Translation Stages

Dovetail Design for 1" (25 mm) of Smooth Motion
Lockable Translation Platform
Modular Design for Multi-Axis Configurations

Application Idea

XYZ Configuration Built with Three DTS25 Stages and a DTSA03 Angle Bracket Secured with CL6 Dovetail Clamps

DTS25

Front View

Back View with Locking Bracket

Related Items

1/2" (12.7 mm) Dovetail Stage

25 mm High-Load Translation Stages

Manual Translation Stages

Table Clamps

1" Manual TravelMax Stage

Motorized Translation Stages

150 mm Travel Stage

1" Stepper Motor Translation Stage

Continuous Rotation Mounts

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Overview
Feedback
Manual Linear Stages

Item #	DTS25	DTS25/M
Travel Range	1"	25 mm
Mounting Holes	1/4"-20 Taps (13 Places)	M6 x 1.0 Taps (13 Places)
Horizontal Load Capacity	88 lbs (40 kg)
Vertical Load Capacity	22 lbs (10 kg)
Travel per Revolution	0.04" (1.0 mm)
Top Surface Parallelism	1700 µrad
Angular Deviation	±150 µrad
Straightness	Horizontal: ±10.00 µm Vertical: ±5.00 µm
Stiffness	Pitch: 200.00 µrad / N·m Yaw: 725.00 µrad / N·m
Weight	0.53 lbs (0.24 kg)
Dimensions (Including Actuator)	2.68" x 3.87" x 0.79" (68.0 mm x 98.3 mm x 20.0 mm)

Click for Details
The DTSA02 Adapter Plate increases the stage height to 30 mm. Click the image above to see how to install the stage onto an optical table through an adapter plate.

Features

1" (25 mm) Travel
Array of 13 1/4"-20 (M6 x 1.0) Tapped Holes
XYZ Configurable with Dowel Pins for Orthogonality
Mounted to Optical Table using 1/4" (M6) Counterbores or CL6 Table Clamps (Sold Separately)

The DTS25(/M) dovetail translation stage is a compact positioner for use in general purpose motion control applications. It provides a travel range of 1" (25 mm) using a precision-rolled M6 x 1.0 mm pitch leadscrew for smooth linear positioning along the entire range of travel. The stage is advanced 0.04" (1.0 mm) for each full revolution of the leadscrew. The top surface of the DTS25(/M) stage is equipped with an array of thirteen 1/4"-20 (M6 x 1.0) tapped holes to maximize the mounting options for moving components. This moving platform is lockable via a side-located screw in a locking bracket to guard against accidental movement. A scale with 1/40" (1 mm) graduations is etched onto each side of the moving platform, with the edge of the locking bracket providing a reference for relative positioning.

Mounting Options
The stage can be bolted directly to the optical table using four counterbored 1/4" (M6) holes that are revealed by translating the top plate of the stage to the proper position. Two of these mounting holes are accessed via clearance holes in the top plate, while the other two are directly accessible. Alternatively, the stage can be mounted using four CL6 clamps (two on each side) secured to the relief cut along the bottom of the stage, as shown in the picture at the top of the page. The DTSA01 and DTSA02 riser plates have four through holes and are designed to be placed between a mounting surface and the stage to increase the height of the system, as shown in the image above. The resulting stage height is 25 mm if the DTSA01 is in place or 30 mm if the DTSA02 is used.

Dovetail Translation Stages
1/2" (12.7 mm) Travel
1" (25 mm) Travel
2" (50 mm) Travel

Multi-Axis Configurations
The modular design of the DTS25(/M) allows multiple stages to be assembled in 2-axis and 3-axis configurations. Two dowel pins are included with each stage, and these can be used to ensure that orthogonality between the various translation directions is maintained during construction. In order to construct an XY configuration, two stages can be directly connected. For movement in the Z direction, the DTSA03(/M) angle bracket is required to mount a stage vertically. The bracket can be attached to a horizontal stage or optical table using four 1/4" (M6) counterbores and a stage can then be mounted vertically using four of eight 1/4"-20 (M6 x 1.0) tapped holes on the side of the bracket.

Posted Comments:

user (posted 2020-08-31 13:06:28.05)

Is the horizontal load the same if mounted upside down with a hanging load?

cwright (posted 2020-09-02 03:53:01.0)

Response from Charles at Thorlabs: Hello and thank you for your query. Unfortunately we have not tested this and so cannot provide a true specification but we would advise that the load capacity is not so high in this configuration. This is due to a the load being held by quite a thin bridge of material when upside-down and I will contact you directly to share an image of what I refer to. Certainly a few kilograms should be safe. We would advise that if you need a high load in this configuration, then you may want to consider the LX10 or LNR25 and I will refer to these when I reach out to you.

jdesousa (posted 2019-01-30 10:30:13.17)

Hi my name is alejandro and work in spain in the ICMAB, i need to know if you have a product similar to DTS25/M. but with double precision sistem similar to the MBT616D, especificly the big travel similar to the DTS25/M and the presition traveler equal to MBT616. I need the traveler z the Z axis that couple with the other axis to DTS25/M.

rmiron (posted 2019-01-30 10:05:58.0)

Response from Radu at Thorlabs: Thank you for contacting us, Alejandro. I think that PT1A/M is the best option we can offer you. It has the same course resolution as MBT616 and a fine resolution that is twice as good. It also has a 25 mm travel range and it can be mounted on the right-angle bracket designed for DTS25/M as long as it is fixed on top of a PT101/M plate before-hand. The only potential problem is that it has a vertical load capacity of 4 kg, whereas DTS25/M is specified for 10 kg. This is because it is made with ball bearings, as opposed to crossed roller bearings. Provided that the diminished load capacity is problematic, please contact our European tech support team, who might be able to suggest an alternative solution.

julien.totems (posted 2018-10-22 09:13:24.0)

I have used the DTS25/M to support a heavy mirror, (2.5 kg, still below the advertized acceptable load), and I find both the rigidity of the platform and the angular deviation while travelling to be severely below specifications. The former makes my mirror (center of mass 100 mm above platform) move ~2 mm depending on the orientation of gravity, and the latter is about +/-5 mrad (80 times specs!) when travelling one way or the other. I would advise against using this stage for any application requiring stability, despite what is advertized.

AManickavasagam (posted 2018-10-23 10:34:19.0)

Response from Arunthathi at Thorlabs: Thanks for your feedback. I suppose it is more to do with the torque your set up may be creating on the stage. It would be helpful to know the center of mass of your setup so we could understand the torque exerted. A crossed roller bearing stage such as our LNR50 might be more suitable for your application.

michal.smid (posted 2017-07-11 13:35:36.59)

Hi, is it possible to remove the leadscrew and attach a motorized actuator to the DTS25 stage? Thanks.

bhallewell (posted 2017-07-12 10:19:48.0)

Response from Ben at Thorlabs: Thank you for your feedback. The adjustment drive is fixed in place with the leadscrew. I would advise taking a look at either our XR25 or LNR* series stages which have a removable adjuster. https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=10211 https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=4551

chuamemuk (posted 2017-05-11 17:49:28.613)

Hi there, Could you please let us know the travel per revolution for the DT25? Thank you very much.

bwood (posted 2017-05-12 05:38:09.0)

Response from Ben at Thorlabs: Thank you for using our feedback feature. The lead screw of the stage has a 1 mm pitch which means that the top platform will move 1 mm (0.04") per revolution of the adjuster

sean.whitehall (posted 2013-05-27 12:33:29.16)

The description says the orientation of the drive adjustment knobs makes this stage unsuitable for Z-axis translation. Is this because the actuators are on both sides, or are there internal parts that do not function when mounted vertically? Could it be used for Z-axis if care were taken to give the actuators adequate space?

tcohen (posted 2013-05-30 12:37:00.0)

Response from Tim at Thorlabs: You can use the stage in Z if you are sure to give the actuators space. However, in an XYZ with three DT25 our closest stock option would likely be the AP90 and lifting the stage in the vertical on the slots and using nuts. Otherwise it would have to be offset to line with the taps. Although not necessary, when the stage is fully actuated it is typically easier to reach the knobs on one side over the other, which might need to be factored in when designing your spacing as well. Depending on your needs, our PT1 may be a better solution. I will contact you to discuss this further.

Tyler (posted 2008-08-12 17:36:36.0)

A response from Tyler at Thorlabs to walter.allen: The XY configuration is created by purchasing two DT25 stages. The two stages can be easily assembled in an XY configuration because of their modular design and the included dowel pins that ensure that the stages are oriented perpendicular to each other. Thank you for your feedback, a note will be added to the presentation to clear up this issue.

walter.allen (posted 2008-08-12 17:17:30.0)

Hello, I am unable to find the X-Y version of the two one inch travel dovetail slides. I have tried everything I can think of but no luck! What am I doing wrong?

Manual Linear Translation Stages

Thorlabs' manual translation stages are offered in a range of maximum travel distances, from less than 1/4" (6 mm) to 2" (50 mm) and longer for our long travel, large area platforms. Many of these stages can be ordered in multi-axis configurations, providing XY or XYZ translation. For fiber coupling applications, please see our Multi-Axis Stages, which offer finer adjustment than our standard manual translation stages. In addition to linear translation stages, we offer rotation stages, pitch and yaw platforms, and goniometers. We also offer motorized translation stages that are powered by DC Servo motors, stepper motors, or direct drive technology.

Crossed-Roller Bearing Stages

These linear translation stages feature crossed-roller bearing travel mechanisms for precision motion, high load capacity, and low angular deviation. The LNR Series stages feature all-steel body construction, while the LX, XRN, and XR Series stage bodies are constructed of aluminum.

Crossed-Roller Bearing Stages
Product Family	LNR Series 25 mm Stages	LX Series 25 mm Stages	XRN Series 25 mm Stages	XR Series 25 mm Stages	XR Series 50 mm Stages	LNR Series 50.8 mm Stages
Click Photo to Enlarge
Travel	25 mm (0.98")	25 mm (0.98")	25 mm (0.98")	25 mm (0.98")	50 mm (1.97")	50.8 mm (2")
Drive Type	Multiple	Micrometer	Micrometer	Micrometer	Micrometer	Multiple
Platform Size	2.34" x 2.36" (59.4 mm x 60.0 mm)	2.56" x 2.56" (65.0 mm x 65.0 mm)	2.00" x 3.35" (50.7 mm x 85.0 mm)	2.98" x 4.33" (75.7 mm x 110.0 mm)	2.98" x 5.51" (75.7 mm x 140.0 mm)	3.94" x 3.94" (100.0 mm x 100.0 mm)
Possible Axis Configurations	X, XZ, XY, XYZ	X, XY, XZ, YZ, XYZ	X, XY, XYZ	X, XY, XYZ	X, XY, XYZ	X, XY, XYZ
Additional Details

Ball Bearing Stages

These translation stages feature hardened steel linear bearings for precise motion and long life. They are available with a variety of actuators and in single-axis or preassembled multi-axis configurations.

Ball Bearing Stages
Product Family	MS Series 1/4" Stages	T12 Series 1/2" Stages	MT Series 1/2" Stages	PT Series 1" Stages	LT Series 2" Stages
Click Photo to Enlarge
Travel	1/4" (6.4 mm)	1/2" (12.7 mm)	1/2" (12.7 mm)	1" (25.4 mm)	2" (50 mm)
Drive Type	Multiple	Thumbscrew	Multiple	Multiple	Differential Micrometer
Platform Size	1.17" x 1.17" (29.7 mm x 29.7 mm)	0.76" x 0.81" (19.3 mm x 20.6 mm)	2.40" x 2.41" (61.0 mm x 61.2 mm)	3.00" x 4.00" (76.2 mm x 101.6 mm)	3.75" x 3.75" (95.3 mm x 95.3 mm)
Possible Axis Configurations	X, XY, XYZ	X, XY, XYZ	X, XY, XYZ	X, XY, XYZ	X, XY, XYZ
Additional Details

Dovetail Stages

These compact stages incorporate dovetails and a leadscrew for the translation mechanism. They are suitable in general purpose motion control applications.

Dovetail Stages
Product Family	DT Series 1/2" Stages	DTS Series 1" Stage	DTS Series 2" Stage
Click Photo to Enlarge
Travel	1/2" (12.7 mm)	1" (25 mm)	2" (50 mm)
Drive Type	Thumbscrew	Thumbscrew	Thumbscrew
Platform Size	1.00" x 1.00" (25.4 mm x 25.4 mm)	2.68" x 2.95" (68.0 mm 75.0 mm)	2.68" x 3.74" (68.0 mm x 95.0 mm)
Possible Axis Configurations	X, XY, XYZ	X, XY, XYZ	X, XY, XYZ
Additional Details

Flexure Stages

Thorlabs' Nanoflex™ translation stages feature frictionless flexure mechanisms for 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. Most models also include piezo actuators for small position adjustments.

Flexure Stages
Product Family	Nanoflex™ 1.5 mm Stage	Nanoflex™ 5 mm Stages
Click Photo to Enlarge
Travel	1.5 mm (0.06") + 25 µm Piezo	5 mm (0.20")	5 mm (0.20") + 20 µm Piezo
Drive Type	Thumbscrew and Piezo Actuator	Differential Micrometer	Differential Micrometer and Open-Loop Piezo Actuator	Differential Micrometer and Closed-Loop Piezo Actuator
Platform Size	1.18" x 1.18" (30.0 mm x 30.0 mm)	2.95" x 2.95" (75.0 mm x 75.0 mm)
Possible Axis Configurations	X, XY, XYZ	X, XY, XYZ	X, XY, XYZ	X, XY, XYZ
Additional Details

Vertical Stages

We offer vertical translation stages with crossed-roller bearings for precise motion as well as long travel vertical stages for heavy-duty applications.

Vertical Stages
Product Family	MVS Series 1/2" Vertical Stage	MVS Series 1" Vertical Stage	VAP Series 4" Vertical Stage	VAP Series 10" Vertical Stage
Click Photo to Enlarge
Travel	1/2" (13.0 mm)	1" (25.0 mm)	4" (101.6 mm)	10" (254 mm)
Drive Type	Micrometer		Adjuster Knob and Coarse Manual Positioning
Platform Size	2.36" x 2.36" (60.0 mm x 60.0 mm)		3.00" x 6.00" (76.2 mm 152.4 mm)
Additional Details

Item #	LNR25D(/M), LNR25M(/M)	LX10(/M), LX20(/M), LX20XZ(/M), LX20YZ(/M), LX30(/M)	XRN25P(/M), XRN25C(/M), XRN25P-K1(/M), XRN25P-K2(/M)	XR25P(/M), XR25C(/M), XR25P-K1(/M), XR25P-K2(/M)	XR50P(/M), XR50C(/M)	LNR50DD(/M), LNR50M(/M)
Resolution	Down to 0.025 mm/rev (Dependent on Drive)	0.5 mm/rev	0.5 mm/rev	0.5 mm/rev	0.5 mm/rev	Down to 0.05 mm/rev (Dependent on Drive)
Mounting Holes	1/4"-20 (M6), 7 Places	1/4"-20 (M6), 7 Places	1/4"-20 (M6), 17 Places	1/4"-20 (M6), 22 Places	1/4"-20 (M6), 26 Places	1/4"-20 (M6), 13 Places
Load Capacity	Horizontal: 44 lbs / 20 kg Vertical: 17.6 lbs / 8 kg	Horizontal: 90 lbs / 41 kg Vertical: 8.8 lbs / 4 kg	Horizontal: 170 lbs / 77.1 kg Vertical: 8.8 lbs / 4.0 kg	Horizontal: 180 lbs / 81.9 kg Vertical: 8.8 lbs / 4.0 kg	Horizontal: 180 lbs / 81.9 kg Vertical: 8.8 lbs / 4.0 kg	Horizontal: 66 lbs / 30 kg Vertical: 22 lbs / 10 kg

Item #	MS1(/M), MS1S(/M), MS3(/M)	T12X(/M), T12XY(/M), T12XZ(/M), T12XYZ(/M)	MT1(/M), MT1A(/M), MT1B(/M), MT3(/M), MT3A(/M)	PT1(/M), PT1A(/M), PT1B(/M), PT3(/M), PT3A(/M)	LT1(/M), LT3(/M)
Resolution	Down to 0.25 mm/rev (Dependent on Chosen Drive)	0.25 mm/rev	Down to 0.025 mm/rev (Dependent on Chosen Drive)	Down to 0.025 mm/rev (Dependent on Chosen Drive)	Coarse: 0.055" / rev Fine: 0.010" / rev
Mounting Holes	#4 (M3) Counterbore, 2 Places 4-40 (M3), 2 Places 8-32 (M4), 5 Places	2-56 (M2), 4 Places	Top: 1/4"-20 (M6), 7 Places Bottom: 1/4"-20 (M6), 7 Places and 8-32 (M4), 4 Places	1/4"-20 (M6), 16 Places	1/4"-20 (M6), 24 Places
Load Capacity	Horizontal: 7 lbs / 3.2 kg Vertical: 2.5 lbs / 1.1 kg	Horizontal: 5 lbs / 2.2 kg Vertical: N/A	Horizontal: 90 lbs / 41 kg Vertical: 4.4 lbs / 2 kg	Horizontal: Up to 90 lbs / 41 kg Vertical: Up to 8.8 lbs / 4.0 kg (Dependent on Chosen Drive)	Horizontal: 70 lbs / 31 kg Vertical: 40 lbs / 18 kg

Item #	DT12(/M), DT12XY(/M), DT12XZ(/M), DT12XYZ(/M)	DTS25(/M)	DTS50(/M)
Resolution	0.35 mm/rev	1.0 mm/rev
Mounting Holes	8-32 (M4), 1 Place	1/4"-20 (M6), 13 Places	1/4"-20 (M6), 17 Places
Load Capacity	Horizontal: 2.5 lbs / 1.2 kg Vertical: 0.55 lbs / 0.25 kg	Horizontal: 88 lbs / 40 kg Vertical: 22 lbs / 10 kg

Item #	NF15AP25(/M)	NFL5D(/M)	NFL5DP20(/M), KPZNFL5(/M) (Stage + Controller)	NFL5DP20S(/M)
Resolution	Manual: 0.25 mm/rev Piezo: 0.76 nm (Theoretical)	Coarse: 0.5 mm/rev Fine: 50 µm/rev	Coarse: 0.5 mm/rev Fine: 50 µm/rev Piezo: 0.6 nm (Theoretical)
Mounting Holes	4-40 (M2), 5 Places 8-32 (M4), 1 Place	6-32 (M3), 4 Places 8-32 (M4), 4 Places 1/4"-20 (M6), 4 Places
Load Capacity	Horizontal: 1.1 lbs / 0.5 kg Vertical: 0.55 lbs / 0.25 kg	Horizontal: 2.2 lbs / 1 kg Vertical: 1.1 lbs / 0.5 kg

Item #	MVS05(/M)	MVS1(/M)	VAP4(/M)	VAP10(/M)
Precision	0.025" (0.5 mm) per Adjuster Revolution		0.05" (1.27 mm) per Adjuster Revolution
Mounting Holes	8-32 (M4), 12 Places 1/4"-20 (M6), 13 Places		8-32 (M4), 31 Places 1/4"-20 (M6), 33 Places
Load Capacity	4.4 lbs / 2 kg		50 lbs / 23 kg (Max Moment: 150 in-lbs / 16.9 N•m)