Features

• Two Stepper Motor Drive Channels
• High Resolution Microstepping Control (For Very Fine Positioning Applications)
• Stable and Predictable Low Speed Operation (For Velocity Sensitive Applications)
• Supports 2 Phase Bipolar Steppers up to 48 V/50 W Peak
• Differential Encoder Feedback (QEP Inputs) for Closed-Loop Positioning
• Auto-Configure Function for all Thorlabs Stages
• USB Plug and Play for Multi-Axis Expansion
• Motor Control I/O Port (Jogging, Interlocks)
• Full Software Control Suite Included
• Intuitive Software Graphical Control Panels
• Extensive ActiveX® Programming Interfaces
• Fully Software Integrated with Other apt™ Family Controllers (Integrated Systems Development)

The apt™ MST601 module is a dual-channel, high-resolution, rack-mounted stepper motor driver designed for use with the apt™ MMR601 Motion Control 19" Modular Rack System. It has been designed to drive 2-phase bi-polar stepper motors up to 50 W, with and without encoder feedback, and is compatible with the full range of stepper-motor-equipped nanopositioning actuators and stages offered by Thorlabs or alternatively, any generic two phase bi-polar motor of varying powers and varying cardinal step sizes, making this module very flexible.

This module has been designed specifically to operate with the highly flexible apt™ MMR601 Motion Control 19" Modular Rack System. Multiple MST601 stepper modules can be fitted to this rack system, providing a scalable motion control solution (up to 12 channels of operation per rack) to support larger scale multi-axis motion control applications. For stand-alone controller options, please see the table below.

USB connectivity via the MMR601 Rack Enclosure provides easy plug and play PC operation - multiple modules can be connected to a single PC via standard USB hub technology for multi-axis motion control applications. Coupling this with the very user friendly apt™ software allows the user to very quickly get up and running in a short period of time. For example, all relevant operating parameters are set automatically for Thorlabs stage/actuator products. Advanced custom motion control applications and sequences are also possible using the extensive ActiveX® programming environment, which are described in more detail on the Software and Video Tutorials tabs.

Driver Flexibility

Stepper motors give excellent low speed performance and positioning stability compared to DC servo motors. A wide range of 2-phase bipolar stepper motors and associated actuators are commercially available, each with its own characteristics, such as step resolution, peak phase current or voltage, and lead screw pitch. To support such a wide range of motors, the apt™ MST601 stepper drive modules are fully configurable (parameterized) with key settings exposed through the associated software graphical interface panels. Motor step resolution and lead screw pitch can be set for a particular motor/actuator combination, phase currents can be limited to suitable peak powers as required, and limit switch configuration is accommodated through flexible logic settings.

Moreover, relative and absolute moves can be initiated with move profiles, which are set using velocity profile parameters (including acceleration/deceleration). Similarly, homing (zero position datum) sequences have a full set of associated parameters that can be adjusted for a particular stage or actuator. For simplicity of operation, the apt™ software incorporates pre-configured settings for each of the Thorlabs stages and actuators, while still exposing all parameters individually for use with third party stepper motor driven systems.

For convenience and ease of use, adjustment of all key parameters is possible through direct interaction with intuitive software graphical panels. For example, a move to the next position can be initiated by clicking directly on the position display and entering a new value.

Note that all such settings and parameters are also accessible through the ActiveX® programmable interfaces for automated alignment sequences. Refer to the Software tab for further information on the apt™ software support for the MST601 module.

Encoded Feedback - Positioning Accuracy

The MST601 stepper controllers also support encoder feedback on each channel through dedicated quadrature encoded pulse (QEP) inputs. A “built in” algorithm can be enabled to allow the stepper system to reach and maintain an encoded position through a highly configurable iterative move sequence. For custom closed loop algorithms, the apt™ software exposes the encoder position for access through the ActiveX® programmable interfaces.

Full Software GUI Control Suite & ActiveX® Controls Included

A full and sophisticated software support suite is supplied with the MST601 module. The suite includes a number of 'out of the box' user utilities to allow immediate operation of the unit without any detailed pre-configuration. All operating modes can be accessed manually and all operating parameters changed and saved for next time use. For more advanced 'custom' motion control applications, a fully featured ActiveX® programming environment is also included to facilitate custom application development in a wide range of programming environments. Note that all such settings and parameters described above are also accessible through these ActiveX® programmable interfaces. For further information on the apt™ software support refer to the Software tab. Demonstration videos illustrating how to program the apt™ software are also available for viewing from the Video Tutorial tab.

The ActiveX® apt™ system software shipped with this module is also compatible with other apt™ family controllers including our bench top and smaller optical table mountable 'Cube' controllers. This single unified software offering allows seamless mixing of any apt™ benchtop, table top, or rack based units in any single positioning application.

The key innovation of the apt™ range of controllers and associated mechanical products is the ease and speed with which complete automated alignment/positioning systems can be engineered at both the hardware and software level. All controllers in the apt™ range are equipped with USB connectivity. The 'multi-drop' USB bus allows multiple apt™ units to be connected to a single controller PC using commercial USB hubs and cables. When planning a multi-channel application, simply add up the number and type of drive channels required and connect together the associated number of APT controllers.

Click on the image to the right to download a PDF explaining the benefits and features to system integrators of using the apt^TM modular rack system in multi-axis motion control applications

Software Developers Support CD

A developers’ kit is shipped with all of our apt™ series controllers. This additional software support is intended for use by software developers working on large, system integration projects that incorporate apt™ products. The kit contains an extensive selection of useful code samples as well as a library of Video Tutorials.

Typical APT User GUI

The APT (Advanced Positioning Technology) family covers a wide range of motion controller products ranging from small low powered single channel optomechanical motor drivers (the 'Cube' drivers) to high power multi-channel modular 19" rack nanopositioning systems (the APT Rack System).

All controllers in the APT family share a common software platform, the APT System Software. The software CD supplied with all controllers contains an installation of this system software, together with a wealth of support information in the form of handbooks, help files, tutorial videos, FAQs and other relevant information on using and programming these Thorlabs products.

By providing this common software platform, Thorlabs has ensured that users can easily mix and match any of the APT controllers in a single application while only having to learn one single set of software tools. In this way it is perfectly feasible to combine any of the controllers from the low powered single axis to the high powered multi-axis systems and control all from a single PC based unified software interface.

The APT System Software allows two methods of usage - graphical user interface utilities (supplied) for direct interaction 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 progammed in the development language of choice.

Typical Configuration Screen

Detailed information on both usage modes is provided on the CD.

Also of particular interest is the inclusion on the software CD of a range of software video tutorials (see the Video Tutorials tab). 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++. 

Click here to go direct to the Thorlabs Download Area to access the full APT software CD. Experiment with the software using the simulator mode - refer to the Tutorial Videos for the APTConfig utility to learn how to select simulator mode.

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.

Click here to view the video tutorial

To further assist programmers, a guide to programming the APT software in LabView is also available.

Click here to view the LabView guide