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Schematic of MPM250(/M) Top Platform
Dimensions of the metric platform are given in parentheses.

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Diagram of Minimum and Maximum Stand Height

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View Imperial Product List

Item #	Qty	Description
MPM250	1	Motorized Vertical Rigid Stand, Imperial
XT66C4	1	Clamping Platform for 66 mm Rails, 1/4" Counterbored Slot, 40 mm Long
MPRM	1	Large Rectangular Insert Holder, 66 mm Dovetail, 1/4"-20 Taps
MLS203P5	1	Imperial 1/4"-20 Breadboard Plate
SH25LP38	1	1/4"-20 Low-Profile Channel Screw, 3/8" Long, 100 Pack
SH25S038	1	1/4"-20 Stainless Steel Cap Screw, 3/8" Long, 25 Pack
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View Metric Product List

Item #	Qty	Description
MPM250/M	1	Motorized Vertical Rigid Stand, Metric
XT66C4	1	Clamping Platform for 66 mm Rails, 1/4" Counterbored Slot, 40 mm Long
MPRM/M	1	Large Rectangular Insert Holder, 66 mm Dovetail, M6 x 1.0 Taps
MLS203P4	1	Metric M6 Breadboard Plate
SH6M10LP	1	M6 x 1.0 Low-Profile Channel Screw, 10 mm Long, 100 Pack
SH6MS10	1	M6 x 1.0 Stainless Steel Cap Screw, 10 mm Long, 25 Pack
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Sample Platform Attached Using Dovetail Clamp

• Precise Height Adjustment with 1" of Travel
• Combine with PLSXY Translation Stage (Sold Separately Below) to Build an XYZ Stage
• Minimum Height at Top of Stand: 9.84" (250.0 mm)
• Maximum Load Capacity: 33.1 lbs (15.0 kg)
• Controllers and Power Supplies Sold Separately

The MPM250(/M) stand provides 1" of vertical, linear travel and can be combined with the PLSXY XY Translation Stage (sold separately below) to provide three axes of motion. The minimum height of the MPM250(/M) rigid stand is 9.84" (250.0 mm) not including the base plate. With the base plate attached, the minimum height is 10.19" (258.9 mm). A 6' (1.8 m) long permanently-attached cable allows the stand to be connected to the MCM301 Controller (available below).

Each vertical stand includes a 3.00" x 4.50" (76.2 mm x 114.3 mm) base plate that contains four 1/4" (M6) counterbored slots for securing the stage to an optical table or workstation.

Mounting Equipment to the Rigid Stand
The top of this motorized stand has five 1/4"-20 (M6 x 1.0) threaded holes for mounting accessories. Thorlabs' Ø1.5" post accessories and post clamps with tapped mounting surfaces fit directly around the Ø1.49" (Ø37.8 mm), 2.24" (56.9 mm) long section at the top of the stand. Other microscopy accessories such as platforms and holders for slides, petri dishes, and recording chambers can be mounted to the top of the vertical rigid stand by attaching an XT66C4 rail clamp using 1/4"-20 (M6 x 1.0) fasteners (not included). This clamp allows the use of the dovetail rails and insert holder arms that are sold separately below. The image to the right shows the MPRM insert holder with a MLS203P5 insert attached to the MPM250 rigid stand using the XT66C4 clamp.

Mounting Rigid Stands to PLS Translation Stages
Thorlabs' MPM250(/M) motorized stand can be mounted directly to the PLSX or PLSXY translation stage to create a motorized XZ or XYZ stage. To mount the vertical stand to the translation stage, first detach the base plate included with the stand by removing the four 4-40 cap screws. Then use the two included Ø3 mm dowel pins to align the stand to the top of the PLS stage and use a 3/32" balldriver to secure four 4-40 cap screws at the corners.

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The PLSXY translation stage is used with a motorized rigid stand for holding samples.

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This schematic of the PLSX top plate shows the mounting holes. Features are identical for the PLSXY top plate but rotated 90° with respect to the base plate.

• Add XY Translation to a Motorized Vertical Rigid Stand
• Maximum Horizontal Load Capacity: 33.1 lbs (15.0 kg) (See Table Below)
• Compact Footprint: 3.00" x 4.50" (76.2 mm x 114.3 mm)
• One or Two Axes of Travel:
  • PLSX: One-Axis Translation Stage
  • PLSXY: Two-Axis Translation Stage

These versatile 1D or 2D stepper motor translation stages provide 1" of travel for use in a wide variety of applications. The PLSX provides linear travel along one axis, while the PLSXY provides linear travel along two axes. Combining the PLSXY stage with the MPM250(/M) motorized rigid stand above creates an XYZ stage useful for home-built microscopy setups. A 6' (1.8 m) long permanently-attached cable allows the PLS stages to be connected to the MCM301 Controller (available below).

Each stage includes a 3.00" x 4.50" (76.2 mm x 114.3 mm) base plate that contains four 1/4" (M6) counterbored slots for securing the stage to an optical table or workstation.

Thorlabs' MPM250(/M) motorized rigid stands can be mounted directly to the PLSX or PLSXY stage to create motorized XZ or XYZ stages as seen in the image to the right. To mount the MPM250(/M) stand to the translation stage, simply remove the base plate included with the rigid stand by extracting the four 4-40 cap screws and attach the stand to the PLSX or PLSXY stage using the 4-40 holes in the top plate. The PLSX adds 1.13" (28.6 mm) of fixed height to motorized rigid stands while the PLSXY adds 2.25" (57.1 mm).

With the addition of the PLST(/M) top plate (sold seprately), the PLS stages can mount many Thorlabs’ components including manual rigid stands. The plate has an array of 1/4"-20 (M6) and 8-32 (M4) holes as well as a 3" dovetail feature. Please see the full web presentation for details.

Note: The PLSX and PLSXY translation stages are shipped with an attached locking bracket to prevent damage during transportation. This bracket must be removed prior to use.

Software

Version 1.0 (November 10, 2023)

The software package contains the installation files
for the GUI interface, driver, and SDK. The software is compatible with Windows^® 7 (64 bit) and later systems.

• Designed for Motorized Rigid Stand, Rigid Stand Translation Stages, and Motorized Focusing Module
• Provides Control for up to Three Axes
  • Separately Available Joystick Allows Hand-Operation
• Each Axis can be Individually Disabled to Prevent Unintended Movements or to Retain a Position
• Remotely Control Translation Using Standalone Software (Requires 64-Bit Windows^® 7 or Later)

The MCM301 3-Axis Controller is designed for use with Thorlabs' Motorized Vertical Rigid Stand, Motorized Rigid Stand Translation Stages, and Motorized Focusing Module. The MCMK3 3-Knob Joystick, available separately, can be connected to provide hand-operation. The controller can also be operated remotely using standalone software.

When using the optional MCMK3 joystick, each side face of the joystick includes a rotating knob and a push-button switch that are dedicated to a single axis. The push-button switch on the joystick enables and disables the axis and is lit in green when the axis is enabled. Disabling the axis lets the user preserve a position or prevent accidental movements. A smaller knob on the top face adjusts the velocity per rotation of the knob. For more information on the MCMK3 joystick and how to utilize the USB HID protocol, please see the full web presentation.

Since each MCM301 controller has three channels, a single controller can be used to drive both the MPM250 Vertical Rigid Stand and a PLSXY 2-Axis Linear Translation Stage.

For more information, as well as compatible software and a LabVIEW™/C++/Python SDK, please see the full web presentation for the MCM301 controller.

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An XT66C4 rail clamp attaches to the top platform of the MPM250 rigid stand to enable mounting of microscopy accessories.

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An MPRM insert holder with an MLS203P5 insert is attached to the MPM250 rigid stand using the dovetail feature of the XT66C4 clamp.

• Attach XT66C4 Clamp to MPM250(/M) Mounting Platform Using 1/4"-20 (M6) Fasteners
• Slide Desired Attachment Along Rail
  • MPR4(/M) and MPR8(/M) Tapped Dovetail Rails
  • MPRM(/M) Rectangular Insert Arm
  • MPRC(/M) Recording Chamber Arm
• Fasten Locking Screws with 2.5 mm Balldriver or Hex Key

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Rails and Arms for Rigid Stands

66 mm Rail Clamp
The XT66C4 rail clamp attaches directly to the mounting platform of the MPM250(/M) rigid stand using three 1/4"-20 (M6) cap screws (not included). The clamp is designed to hold the single dovetail rails and insert holder arms detailed below. An example is shown in the images to the right. An example is shown in the images to the right.

Dovetail Rails
The MPR4(/M) and MPR8(/M) Dovetail Rails are 4" (100 mm) or 8" (200 mm) long, respectively, and provide an array of tapped holes for mounting micromanipulators and other experimental equipment. Both rail platforms are 59.9 mm wide and feature 1/4"-20 (M6 x 1.0) tapped holes at 1" (25.0 mm) spacings. When the platform is extended fully (i.e., both dovetail locking screws can still be engaged), the outermost edge of the platform will support a load of 20 lbs (9 kg).

Rectangular Insert Arm
The MPRM(/M) Rectangular Insert Arm has a rectangular slot that is compatible with the 6.70" x 5.13" inserts sold separately below. These inserts can be used to mount samples or experimental equipment in or near the optical path of a microscope, such as our Cerna systems, enabling a variety of experimental configurations beyond those achievable with our more basic sample holders. Eight 1/4"-20 (M6 x 1.0) tapped holes at 1" (25.0 mm) spacings on top of the arm can be used to mount additional experimental equipment.

Recording Chamber Holder Arm
The MPRC(/M) Recording Chamber Holder is designed for easily mounting a recording chamber at the desired location in a microscope's optical path. The top platform has a Ø110 mm opening with a 5 mm wide lip and four clamps to securely mount a recording chamber in the optical path. We also offer the MPSH2 and MPSH2SS slide holder inserts (sold separately below) for mounting a microscope slide (up to 26.0 mm x 76.2 mm). The MPSH2 slide holder has a base plate made of nonmagnetic aluminum, while the MPSH2SS slide holder is stainless steel and ideal for experimental setups that require a magnetic surface. Additionally, both slide holders have a low-profile design, reducing the potential for collisions with microscope objectives and facilitating the exchange of slides. For custom plate inserts, please contact Tech Support. Additionally, fifteen 1/4"-20 (M6 x 1.0) tapped holes at 1" (25.0 mm) spacings on top of the arm can be used to mount additional experimental equipment.

Horizontal Rail or Arm Adjustment
To allow users to fine tune the position of the rail or arm underneath the objective, each of the platforms above features a dovetail on the underside. This dovetail, which is also used in Thorlabs' 66 mm optical rails, is held in place by the XT66C4 clamp and its two screws that accept a 2.5 mm balldriver (shown in images to the right above). Loosening these screws lets the rail or arm translate horizontally over the range indicated in the table to the left. This adjustment range also allows the rigid post holder be positioned over a range of locations on the tabletop.

• Rectangular Inserts Compatible with the MPRM(/M) Insert Holder (Sold Separately Above)
  • Options Include Slide Holders, Z-Axis Stage, Breadboards, and a Blank Plate
• Circular Inserts Compatible with MPRC(/M) Recording Chamber Holders (Sold Separately Above)
  • Available in Aluminum or Stainless Steel

These inserts can be used to mount samples or experimental equipment in or near the optical path of the Cerna microscope, enabling a variety of experimental configurations beyond those achievable with our more basic sample holders. The MLS203P10 and MLS203P13 multi-slide holders feature precise spring-loaded slide retention mechanisms, unobstructed bidirectional objective access to the slides and a high degree of parallelism in the XY translation plane.

Rectangular Inserts for MPRM(/M)
Item #	Features	Photoa
MLS203P2	Holds One Petri Dish or Slide at a Time Petri Dishes (Ø30 mm to Ø60 mm) Microscope Slides up to 26.5 mm Wide
MLS203P10	Compatible with 26 mm x 76.7 mm (Max) Microscope Slides Holds up to Four Slides
MLS203P13	Compatible with One 54.5 mm x 76.7 mm (Max) Slide and Two 26 mm x 76.7 mm (Max) Microscope Slides Alternately Holds Four 26 mm x 76.7 mm (Max) Slides
MLS203P1	Mount the C4SH01 Four-Slide Holder and Standard Well Plates Clip Holder to Secure Samples in Place
MZS500-E	500 µm of Z-Axis Travel with 25 nm Resolution Includes BPC301 Controller Link to Full Web Presentation for More Details and All Compatible Inserts
MLS203P5	35 1/4"-20 Taps at 1" Spacings
MLS203P4	35 M6 x 1.0 Taps at 25.0 mm Spacings
MLS203P3	Constructed from Anodized Aluminum Easily Drilled or Tapped in Your Own Machine Shop

• Click image to enlarge.

Circular Inserts for MPRC(/M)
Item #	Features	Photoa
MPSH2	Aluminum Construction Center Bore for Compatibility with Ø35 mm Petri Dishes
MPSH2	Stainless Steel Construction Center Bore for Compatibility with Ø35 mm Petri Dishes

• Click image to enlarge.