Rev B Dec 2019
Page 1
Chapter 1 Overview
Chapter 1 Overview
1.1 Description
The HDR50 motorized rotation stage provides arc-second resolution when driven from a microstepping stepper motor
controller. The low profile design, measuring just 44 mm high, is made possible by the use of two compact precision bearings.
The rotating carriage of the stage provides continuous rotation of loads up to 50 kg and has a 50 mm clear aperture to allow
the passage of the optical path directly through the stage. The main body of the stage is made from lightweight aluminum and
can attach directly to an optical table, or be mounted at any orientation via the 10 mounting holes provided along four surfaces
of the device. A worm gear assembly is used to transfer the rotary motion of the stepper motor into rotary motion of the
carriage. There is a mechanical reduction in this gear assembly that provides one revolution of the carriage for every 66 turns
of the stepper motor.
An electrical limit switch has been fitted to allow the user to datum the stage but this limit switch is only active in the negative
direction. This means that the stage will run to infinity in the positive direction, but will not pass zero in the negative direction.
If a movement is programmed that takes the manipulator past its negative limit, the limit switch will trip and stop the motor. It
is then only possible to execute moves in the positive direction until the limit switch is no longer tripped.
The HDR50 is designed specifically to operate with the BSC20x benchtop stepper motor controllers or the MST602 modular
stepper motor control unit.
For further information on these controllers, please refer to the relevant manuals.
1.2 Accessories
Several mounting plates are available which allow the stage to be fixed to an optical table in either horizontal or vertical
configurations. The adapter plates allow device holders to be fitted to the rotating platform. The stage can also be mounted
onto one of our NST or TravelMax long travel stages.
NR360SP2 - Vertical Mounting Bracket
: Allows the HDR50 rotation stage to be mounted in a vertical orientation.
NR360SP4 (/M) - Grooved Carriage Plate
: This adapter plate provides an easy means to integrate all of the miscellaneous
accessories from our fiber launch systems product line. These accessories include optical mounts, tip-tilt mounts, as well as
fiber holders.
NR360SP5 - Mounting Plate
: This mounting plate allows the HDR50 stage to be attached to a LNR50 TravelMax, or NRT
stage.
NR360SP8 - SM1 Adapter Plate
: This mounting plate features an SM1 threaded through hole and allows 1" optics and our
SM1 product line to be mounted to the HDR50. It also provides compatibility with our 30 mm cage system.
NR360SP9(/M) - 1/4"-20 (M6) Threaded Adapter Plate
: Features 17 1/4"-20 (M6) Mounting holes, providing numerous options
for attaching devices to the HDR50.
Please see the HDR50 stage web page at www.thorlabs.com for more details on the range of accessories available.
