Benchtop Motion Controllers
1-, 2-, and 3-Channel DC Servo Controllers
1-, 2-, and 3-Channel Stepper Motor Controllers
1- and 3-Channel Open Loop Piezo Controllers
1- and 3-Channel Closed-Loop Piezo Controllers
2-Channel NanoTrak Controllers

BSC203 (Use with our DRV Series of Stepper Motors)

Click to Enlarge

Features

High-Resolution Microstepping Control for Very Fine Positioning Applications
Differential Encoder Feedback (QEP Inputs) for Closed-Loop Positioning
Motor Control I/O Port (Jogging, Interlocks)
Full Software Control Suite Supplied
Intuitive Software Graphical Control Panels
Extensive ActiveX® Programming Interfaces
Fully Integrated Software for Use with Other apt™ Family Controllers

These APT Stepper Motor Controllers are the next generation of enhanced controllers using the familiar APTUser interface. Many new features are provided, including a choice between trapezoidal and S-shaped velocity profiles, a higher theoretical microstep resolution (409,600 for a 200 full step motor), and speeds more than twice that achieved by their predecessors.

Designed for use with our DRV series of actuators, these one-, two- and three-channel 50 W stepper motor controllers are capable of driving high-power, 2-phase bi-polar stepper motors, with or without encoder feedback. They have been designed to drive the higher power, stepper-motor-equipped nanopositioning actuators and stages offered by Thorlabs (e.g., LNR50S and NRT150), or alternatively, any generic two-phase, bi-polar motor of varying powers and varying cardinal step sizes. Please note that these controllers are not suitable for use with our ZST series of stepper motors.

Two cables are available for connecting the DRV series actuator to the controller: the 1 m PAA612 and the 3 m PAA613.

USB connectivity provides easy plug-and-play PC operation. Multiple units 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 with reasonably complex move sequences 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 described in more detail on the Software and APT Tutorials tabs.

Additionally, these APT controllers support Thorlabs' 2-axis joystick console. This joystick console provides intuitive, tactile, manual positioning along with two-axis control. In most applications, the default parameter settings saved within the controller allow the joystick to be used out-of-the-box, with no need for further setup, thereby negating the requirement to be connected to a host PC and allowing true remote operation.

Other Stepper Motor Controllers
T-Cube^TM Single-Channel Controller	1-, 2-, and 3-Channel Benchtop Controller	Modular 2-Channel Rack System Module

Item #	BSC201	BSC202, BSC203
Input and Output
Motor Drive Connector (15-Pin, D-Type Female)	2-Phase Bipolar Motor Drive Output Differential Quadrature Encoder (QEP) Input Forward, Reverse Limit Switch Inputs Encoder 5 V (with Ground)
Control IO Connector (15-Pin, D-Type Female)	Jog Forward/Back Input (TTL) User Logic Input/Output (TTL) Single-Ended Analog Input (0 - 10 V) User 5 V (with Ground) 100 mA Max Trigger Input/Output (TTL)
Motor Resolution
Microsteps per Full Step	2048
For 200 Step Motor	409,600 Microsteps/Rev
Motor Drive Voltage	48 V
Motor Drive Power	Up to 50 W (Peak) / 25 W (Avg)
Motor Speeds	Up to 3000 RPM (200 Full Step Motor)
Encoder Feedback Bandwidth	500 KHz (500,000 Counts/s)
Input Power Requirements^a
Voltage	85-264 VAC
Power	100 W (Peak)	200 W (Peak)
Fuse	3.15 A
General
Housing Dimensions (W x D x H)	152 mm x 244 mm x 104 mm (6" x 9.6" x 4.1")	240 mm x 360 mm x 133 mm (9.5" x 14.2" x 5.2")
Weight	3.18 kg (7 lbs)	6.7 kg (14.75 lbs)
Compatible Motor Specifications
Peak Powers	5 - 50 W
Average Power	25 W (Max)
Step Angle Range	20° to 1.8°
Coil Resistance (Typical)	4 - 15 Ω
Coil Inductance (Typical)	4 - 15 mH
Rated Phase Currents (Typical)	0.1 - 1 A

Location-specific power cord included.

Control I/O Connector

d-type_long

Motor Drive Connector

d-type lon

Pin	Description	Return	Pin	Description	Return
1	User 5 V I/O	9	9	User 0 V	-
2	Jog Forwards^a	9	10	Jog Backwards^a	9
3	Not Used	9	11	Analog In^b	9
4	Trigger In	-	12	Trigger Out	4
5	Not Used	-	13	Not Used	5
6	For Future Use	-	14	For Future Use	6
7	Digital (User) In	-	15	Digital (User) Out	9
8	Keyed Pin	-

Pin	Description	Pin	Description
1	Encoder A +ve	9	CW Limit Switch
2	Encoder A -ve	10	CCW Limit Switch
3	Encoder B +ve	11	0 V User
4	Encoder B -ve	12	Not Used
5	5 V User	13	Not Used
6	Not Used	14	Phase B+
7	Phase B-	15	Phase A+
8	Phase A-

Jog inputs must be short circuit to User 0 V (pin 9) in order to function.
Analog In is 0 to 5 V with respect to 0 V (pin 9). The input can be read by calling the LLGetADCInputs method in the APT software - see the APTServer help file for more details.

Computer Connection

USB Type B

USB Type B to Type A Cable Included

Driver Flexibility

Stepper motors provide better low-speed performance and positioning stability than their DC servo motor counterparts. 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™ BSC200 Series Stepper Controller is 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 set using velocity profile parameters (including acceleration/decelleration). 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 Thorlabs stage and actuator, 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.

BSC101 GUI

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 BSC200 Series.

Full Software GUI Control Suite & ActiveX® Controls Included

A full and sophisticated software support suite is supplied with the BSC200. 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 may be 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 for the BSC200 series, refer to the Software tab. Demonstraton videos illustrating how to program the apt™ software are also available for viewing on the Video Tutorial tab.

ActiveX

The ActiveX® apt™ system software shipped with these stepper motor controllers is also compatible with other members of the apt™ family of controllers, including our multi-channel, rack-based system and smaller optical table mountable 'Cube' controllers. This single, unified software offering allows seamless mixing of apt™ benchtop, table top, and rack-based units in any single positioning applicaiton.

MMR601

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 commerical 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.

Encoded Feedback - Positioning Accuracy

These stepper motor controllers also supports encoder feedback 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.

Software Developers Support CD

A developer's 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 control products, ranging from small, low-power, single-channel optomechanical motor drivers (our 'T-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-power, single-axis line with the high-power, multi-axis systems and control all from a single unified PC-based software interface.

The APT System Software allows two methods of usage: graphical user interface utilities (supplied) for direct interaction and out-of-the-box control of the controllers 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

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Posted Comments:

Poster: tcohen

Posted Date: 2013-02-26 14:42:00.0

Response from Tim at Thorlabs: That is correct. The current APT software uses ActiveX components that are intrinsically 32bit. Our APTUser runs on WoW64 when using a 64bit Windows OS, but any client environments (such as LabVIEW) must be 32bit. We are addressing this in the next generation of software, which will be 64bit compatible natively.

Poster: jlow

Posted Date: 2012-12-20 08:45:03.723

Response from Jeremy at Thorlabs: The list and description of all the available ActiveX methods can be found at the following location Start Menu>>All Programs>>Thorlabs>>Help>>APT Server Help. If you are looking for information on a particular method please let us know and we can send you the relevant information. We do not get many requests for HP VEE so do not currently have any support documentation to supply you with. However if you can tell us what you are aiming to do with your controller/stage or what problems you may be then please let us know and we would be happy to work through this with you. You can contact us directly through techsupport@thorlabs.com if you have any questions.

Poster: ebramire

Posted Date: 2012-11-30 12:50:55.357

Im trying to develop some HP VEE code to operate a T-cube DC servo motor driver controller. However, I am unable to locate reference documentation for the methods available through the ActiveX routines. I noticed that in the "User Guide to LabVIEW & APT" document there is a mention of an "APT Programming Guide" in the "User Guide to LabVIEW & APT", but I cannot find this on my system or on the Thorlabs web site. Could you please point me to any available documentation for the methods included in the ActiveX library? Also if there is a guide similar to the "User Guide to Labview & APT" but for HP VEE, could you please let me know where I can find it? Thank You.

Poster: jlow

Posted Date: 2012-10-11 16:55:00.0

Response from Jeremy at Thorlabs: You can download the latest software for the APT at http://www.thorlabs.com/software_pages/ViewSoftwarePage.cfm?Code=APT. Once that is installed, you could open up the APT Firmware (under "Start" -> "All Programs" -> "Thorlabs" -> "APT") and click on Flash Firmware if you do not have the latest version.

Poster: dcfortin

Posted Date: 2012-10-09 16:02:43.71

Do you have a firmware upgrade to this controller. I think we are running v 1.03... Thanks, Dave

Poster: jlow

Posted Date: 2012-07-31 14:20:00.0

A response from Jeremy at Thorlabs: Can you make sure the USB cable is connected between the computer and the unit before it is powered on please? Also, can you check to make sure that "Enable Simulator Mode" is unchecked in "APTConfig" please?

Poster: pier-luc.fortin.2

Posted Date: 2012-07-26 11:43:25.0

Hi,I have a problem with the BSC 101 controller and I saw on this page that anyone already has had the same problem before. When I connect the USB cable between my computer and the BSC101 module, the computer doesn't recognize the peripheral. I tried to use another cable, to enable and disable the controller, to unistall and and reinstall the software (and unplugging the controller during the installation), but nothing works. Moreover, when I open "APT Config", the serial number of the device doesn't appear when I want to make stage association. I also want to specify that I use another FW103H with the BSC101 Controller on my other computer and I have no problem with it. But when I connect the new controller on this computer, the peripheral isn't recognize again. Do you have any solution to propose?

Poster: tcohen

Posted Date: 2012-03-28 15:02:00.0

Response from Tim at Thorlabs: Thank you for your feedback. This may be due to a corrupted installation of an APT or Labview driver. The first thing to do would be to remove APT and all associated drivers and reinstall APT which will reinstall the drivers. I will contact you directly for troubleshooting.

Poster: cfredricksen

Posted Date: 2012-03-28 11:19:45.0

We are using this controller with APT through Labview on a Windows XP machine. After running our Labview program several times, we eventually get the blue screen of death with an IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error. Are you aware of this problem and do you know of a fix? From what I have seen on the internet it appears to be some kind of interrupt conflict. Thanks

Poster: bdada

Posted Date: 2012-02-24 15:02:00.0

Response from Buki at Thorlabs to m.musterd: Thank you for your feedback. Please refer to pages 40 to 47 of the manual linked below for more information on the Trigger Out function. http://www.thorlabs.com/Thorcat/13900/13956-D01.pdf We have contacted you to provide additional support.

Poster: m.musterd

Posted Date: 2012-02-02 11:48:23.0

Hi, I am using the BSC101 controller with the NR360S NanoRotator. I am recording the motion of a substrate on the NR360 with a camera and I would like to use the Trigger Out (pin 4) to flash a light at the moment the rotation starts so I have a t=0 for my camera recording. Is this possible? If so, how does this work?

Poster: bdada

Posted Date: 2011-10-03 10:47:00.0

Response from Buki at Thorlabs: Thank you for your feedback. It sounds like your stage needs to be repaired. We have contacted you to set up a return and repair for the stage.

Poster: pzagrajek(at)wat.edu.pl

Posted Date: 2011-09-30 11:09:47.0

Hi, I am using BSC103 controller and NRT150P1/M stages. In one of them I cannot move stage to home position properly. Even a stage is at the end (near a motor), when I press home/zero button on APTUser GUI, a position on display becomes more and more negative, motor is trying to work (I hear sound) and stage is not moveing.

Poster: jjurado

Posted Date: 2011-08-18 18:31:00.0

Response from Javier at Thorlabs to lili4research: Each channel of the BSC103 stepper motor controller contains an I/O connector which features digital and analog pins for interface with external hardware. Pin 4 of the I/O connector is used for triggering a move from an external TTL level signal. The triggering mode and move type can be set up in the Advanced tab of the Motor Settings window in the APT User utility, along the step distance and velocity profile. This information can be found in pages 42, 46 and 49 of the BSC103 manual: http://www.thorlabs.com/Thorcat/13900/13958-D01.pdf I will contact you directly for further support.

Poster: lili4research

Posted Date: 2011-08-17 18:09:02.0

I use NRT150 with BSC103. I want the stage to move a single step after receiving a trigger. Do you have documents on how to configure triggered motion control? Cant find information anywhere in manuals.

Poster: jjurado

Posted Date: 2011-08-08 12:29:00.0

Response from Javier at Thorlabs to jm.rodriguez.oyarzun: Thank you very much for contacting us. I will contact you directly to help you troubleshoot your application.

Poster: jm.rodriguez.oyarzun

Posted Date: 2011-08-06 11:34:06.0

Hi, we have a problem with our BSC101 controller. The USB connection it’s not detected by the computer. We follow the step by step installation guide on the manual, but when we connect the controller to the PC the hardware installation (drivers) does not work. Note that the computer does not detect any device connected to the USB port. We have tried with several different USB cables and computers but with the same results. The USB ports of the computers works fine with other devices.

Poster: jjurado

Posted Date: 2011-08-05 09:58:00.0

Response from Javier at Thorlabs to last poster: At the moment, we are not planning the release of an updated APT communications protocol document. However, we can gladly help you with additional information that might be missing from the documentation. Please contact us at techsupport@thorlabs.com so that we can assist you directly.

Poster:

Posted Date: 2011-08-03 20:41:22.0

Hi, Is there going to be a more recent update on the communication protocol for APT controllers? It would be nice to include the following commands that are missing in the manual: messageID 0x0060 0x042E 0x0213

Poster: jjurado

Posted Date: 2011-03-28 17:02:00.0

Response from Javier at Thorlabs to bluepb: Thank you for contacting us with your request. A change in the default settings for the pitch of the lead screw could very well explain the fractional translation. You can double check the pitch setting in the APT User utility. I would also suggest reconfiguring the BSC102 controller with the DRV001 actuator in order to ensure that the correct association is used. Also, we would recommend running the actuator with our APT software prior to using the LabVIEW application; this could help determine where the discrepancy is coming from. I will contact you directly for further assistance.

Poster: bluepb

Posted Date: 2011-03-23 21:02:28.0

We have one problem on using bsc102, nanomax301, DRV001 with labview program. when I use apt user software, there is no problem. However, when I use the labview, the actual movement is not correct. we set 2mm to move with labview program, but it moves only 1mm. when we set 100um, it actually moves only 50um. Did I miss something to write a code with labview? or can you give me an advice? Also I wonder how to change or increase the velocity using the labview program. is it "setvelparams"?

Poster: bdada

Posted Date: 2011-03-07 13:42:00.0

Response from Buki: In order for the APT controller to run the NRT150 stage it must be associated and configured. The BSC102 can run many devices so you have to tell it to run the NRT150. This means the APT Config utility must be run first. 1. Make sure the current software is installed APT 2.11.0 2. Make sure the USB cable is connected before power is turned on. 3. Run the APT Config utility software 4. Make sure the simulation mode is off (unchecked) 5. Associate channel 1 or channel 2 (by serial number, user option) 6. Associate and add the NRT150. Then run the APT User utility. The NRT150 can now be controlled by the APT GUI panel. If a black screen is observed follow option 2 again. We have contacted you with this information and would be happy to discuss this further with you if you have any questions.

Poster: tie-jun.wang.1

Posted Date: 2011-03-04 16:30:43.0

We have one problem on using BSC102 to control the NRT150. When we run the APT user, the software can not find the delay stage. We even try the APT config, it still does not work. The problem happened several times in our lab. Can you provide some technical solutions for that? Thanks,

Poster: jjurado

Posted Date: 2011-02-01 18:12:00.0

Response from Javier at Thorlabs to tstier: Thank you very much for submitting your inquiry. The Motor Drive as well as the Motor I/O connectors on the back of the BSC103 are female. We will updated the information on the manual shortly.

Poster: tstier

Posted Date: 2011-01-28 16:39:28.0

Are the motor drive connectors on the back of the BSC103 male or female? We would like to begin building our cables while waiting for delivery.

Poster: tor

Posted Date: 2011-01-05 18:46:14.0

Response from Tor at Thorlabs to Petr: Thank you for your positive feedback and your interest in our BSC101. I will send a document containing communications protocol, which should get you started.

Poster: kubanek

Posted Date: 2010-12-14 12:31:47.0

We would like to control BSC101 from Linux, using custom C/C++ environment (RTS2 - we use this to control telescopes and labs, this particular application is for CCD testing lab). Will you be willing to provide us specification of the USB protocol? We will hardly use ActiveX, and even LabView is pain for us on Linux. We do regularly develop own drivers for devices, including USB devices, so we shall not have problems writing driver for BSC101. We enjoyed your Laser products, which have simple RS232 USB bridge and comes with protocol description, but we miss protocol description for BSC101. Thank you in advance. Petr Kubanek

Poster: tor

Posted Date: 2010-11-23 22:04:29.0

Response from Tor at Thorlabs to Rober: We do not have RS232 commands, as the BSC103 interfaces with ActiveX. The system can be controlled through LabView, Visual C++, and Visual Basic. Please see our video tutorials under the "APT Tutorials" tab on this page for further details. Please do not hesitate to contact us at techsupport@thorlabs.com if you need further assistance.

Poster: rll

Posted Date: 2010-11-23 10:18:00.0

Dear Sirs, We bought last year a BSC103 controler with RS232 option, but the manual does not content the rs232 direct commands. Please, could you send me the list of these commands inj order to can control manualy the system. thank you in advance, Rober

Poster: Thorlabs

Posted Date: 2010-07-14 08:50:29.0

Response from Javier at Thorlabs to tim.rausch: thank you for your feedback. There is actually no part 2 of the LabWindows/CVI help file. However, if you have particular questions about programming in this environment, we may be able to help. Also, we have an open forum were you may be able to find help regarding software-related questions. You can sign up at http://forums.thorlabs.com/index.php. I will follow up with you directly.

Poster: tim.rausch

Posted Date: 2010-07-13 18:19:29.0

Javier, where is part 2 of the CVI demo. I would like to be able to control the stages with my own code. The help file is NOT clear at all.

Poster: Javier

Posted Date: 2010-06-10 10:06:03.0

Response from Javier at Thorlabs to john.radle: you can download a tutorial for integration of our APT software with NI CVI from our ftp site. The address is ftp://63.161.211.72 Username: thortech Password: password. The name of the file is APT CVI Demo.zip. I will contact you directly in case you need further assistance.

Poster: Oli

Posted Date: 2010-03-19 11:39:50.0

A respone from Oli at Thorlabs to cvisone: Th jog inputs are indeed digital inputs as described in A.1.2. It should be possible to drive them in the same way (and with the same cautions) as the other digital inputs. We will change the manual to state that these pins be interpreted as a logic low (0V < Vin < 0.8V) will cause the motor to jog. The idle state is logic high (2.4V < Vin < 5.0V).

Poster: cvisone

Posted Date: 2010-03-19 09:04:00.0

Are the jogging lines in the control i/o connector digital inputs as described in A.1.2 of the manual of the BSC102? Instead of using a handset I would like to drive those lines with the output of an FPGA.

Poster:

Posted Date: 2010-03-05 09:14:39.0

A response from Oli at Thorlabs to Arash.farhang: There are no sub vis as the active X objects talk directly to the APT server. However, what you are trying to do is entirley possible with the existing commands. I will contact you directly with support for this.

Poster: arash.farhang

Posted Date: 2010-03-05 05:29:30.0

I have a question about one of the activeX objects available in labview, particularly the MGMotor Control object. With this control, I can change the angle at which the rotational stage is currently at, however, I cannot figure out how to add additional custom commands of my own. For example one of things I would like to do is be able to have the motor take one step, stop for 10 seconds, take one step, stop for 10 seconds, take one step, stop for 10 seconds and so on, until N number of steps have been made. I set up a VI just like the examples on the web show (with a while loop as well) and then added a wait timer set to 10 seconds in the while loop, but this did not work of course because the motor control icon is outside the while loop. I then proceeded to put everything in the while loop, but this did not work either. It seems like I dont understand the structure of dataflow from this control. Is there anyway for me to observe the subvis that define this contol? I know that if I can view them, I will have a very good chance of creating my own custom vi that will perform the tasks I want it to perform. Thanks Arash Farhang

Poster: apalmentieri

Posted Date: 2010-02-03 10:44:02.0

A response from Adam at Thorlabs to cooljkpark: The motion you recieve in the backward direction is related to the backlash compenstation. It is possible to turn this off, but it is not recommended as this will reduce the accuracy of the stage. Unfortunately, we did not get your email address. If you would like more help regarding this inquiry, please email us at techsupport@thorlabs.com.

Poster: cooljkpark

Posted Date: 2010-02-03 08:55:10.0

I have question about control max324/m(step motor part) with bsc103. when I order move absolute position For forward direction motor stopping at ordered position as soon as it reach ordered position but For backward direction motor dose not stop ordered position as soon as it reach position. Little bit over moving and move agaion forward finally stopping at ordered position. I want to know why backward moving work like that and how can i do for backward moving same as forward moving.

Poster: klee

Posted Date: 2009-11-20 16:05:21.0

A response from Ken at thorlabs to enes_eken1986: The serial number you have entered is not the serial number of the 3 channels drivers but the controller box. Run the APT Config utility program. Here you will need to associate three stepper motors to the three driver boards in the controller box. The number you see in the association (motor) is the serial number to use. There will be three unique numbers..

Poster: enes_eken1986

Posted Date: 2009-11-20 03:26:23.0

hi I bought a bsc103 stepper motor driver and I want to use this product with visual basic. So I added activexs file to visual components. And then I want to use apt motor controller like mg17motor. after that I must enter HW serial number. My problem is this point. my divers serial number is 70811358 but apt motor controller properties dont accept this number but give default number 12345678 what must I do? thanks

Poster: klee

Posted Date: 2009-10-08 16:12:41.0

A response form Ken at Thorlabs to jarosik: After you have installed the software, go to Start Menu > All Programs > Thorlabs > APT > Help > APT Server Help. Then click on Prgramming Guide > Motor Control > Motor Control Methods.

Poster: jarosik

Posted Date: 2009-10-08 15:48:19.0

Im trying to develop some LabVIEW code to operate a BSC101 stepper motor controller. I have down loaded the support CD and found the "User Guide to LabVIEW & APT" document very useful. However, I am unable to locate reference documentation for the methods available through the ActiveX routines. There a mention of an "APT Programming Guide" in the "User Guide to LabVIEW & APT", but I cannot find this on my system or on the Thorlabs web site. Could you please point me to any available documentation for the methods included in the ActiveX library? Thank You. Norm Jarosik Princeton University jarosik@princeton.edu

Poster: jens

Posted Date: 2009-06-30 13:41:54.0

A reply from Jens at Thorlabs: the NRT100 should come with the connector cable PAA613 that allows you to connect the NRT100 to the BSC101 controller. I will send you an email to arrange shipment of such a cable.

Poster: parkh6

Posted Date: 2009-06-30 13:27:54.0

Dear Thorlabs, What if I would like to use a NRT100 with BSC101. The connector does not match. If you let me know the pin connection between NRT100 and BSC101, it will be great help. Thanks,

Poster: Tyler

Posted Date: 2008-11-03 16:11:48.0

A response from Tyler at Thorlabs to xiaomei.chen: A member of our technical support department will email you step by step instructions for dealing with this error. Basically, this is caused by execution setting in Labview. Under "VI Properties" choose the category "Execution" and then choose "User Interface". The instructions being sent to you have screen shots to help guide you. Thank you for choosing the BSC stepper motor controller and if you need any further assistance please dont hesitate to ask.

Poster: xiaomei.chen

Posted Date: 2008-11-03 09:41:03.0

We tried to use the basic example vi attached with software to control the motor, there is always the error 3006, we cant find the reason, the VIs are provided by your company. Could you please possiblly tell me what kind of error this is?

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apt™ Stepper Motor Controllers

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Control I/O Connector

Motor Drive Connector

Computer Connection

USB Type B

Driver Flexibility

Full Software GUI Control Suite & ActiveX® Controls Included

Encoded Feedback - Positioning Accuracy

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