Sutter Instrument Lambda 10-3, Operation Manual

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LAMBDA 10-3 OPERATION MANUAL – REV. 3.03 (20110829)
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1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 SmartShutter SmartShutter SmartShutter SmartShutter
The SmartShutter is a lightweight motor-driven aluminum vane under microprocessor
control. Because of the microprocessor control, the motion of the vane can be tailored for
different roles. The vane starts and stops under motor control, eliminating the sharp jolt
typical of other fast shutters.
1.4.1 1.4.1 1.4.1 1.4.1 Step Motor Based Shutter Advantages Step Motor Based Shutter Advantages Step Motor Based Shutter Advantages Step Motor Based Shutter Advantages
The new step motor-based shutter is made from a handful of parts, any of which can be
replaced if it fails. The speed of opening and closing of the shutter is practically the same as
the traditional shutters, and the mechanism is more robust. The shutter blade is stopped by
action of the motor rather than by mechanical stops that might fail. Because the motion
profile of the shutter is controlled by a microprocessor, the motion can be optimized for speed
or for smoothness. The microprocessor-based controller also offers the potential for a very
adaptable controller, which could include additional functions and modes of operation. If the
electronics fail, the motor can be disconnected and the blade set open or closed by hand.
Operation does not require over-driving the windings, so it can maintain operation at up to
40 Hz continuously. The unit can operate on modest voltages, which are typically available in
the Lambda 10 series controllers. The package size is comparable to the traditional shutters
and can be customized when needed.
Another advantage of step motor-based shutter is the ability to control the aperture of
shutter blade in its opened state. This mode is called Neutral Density and is used to control
the intensity of the light coming through the opened shutter without affecting the light’s
wavelength. The neutral density aperture size of the shutter is determined by the number of
microsteps (1 through 144) specified for the motor to open the shutter.
The following instructions describe how to set up the Lambda SmartShutter and selecting
filters in manual mode. More detailed discussions on the controller functions, installing
filters, and remote communications are found in other sections of this manual.