ORIC® Rotation Stages with Piezoelectric Inertia Drive

- 360° Continuous Motorized Rotation
- Piezo Inertia Drive Ideal for Set-and-Hold Applications
- Model with Maximum Speeds up to 100°/s with 30 µrad Typical Step Size When Driven with PDXC Controller
- Backlash-Free Operation
Mounting Ideas
Two options for mounting the PDR1 rotation stage are shown here:
horizontal mounting using ER cage rods and a UBP2 base plate (left) and vertical mounting on a Ø1/2" post (right).
PDR1C
Compact Piezo Inertia
Rotation Stage
PDR1V
Vacuum-Compatible Piezo Inertia Rotation Stage
U.S. Patent 11,218,090

Please Wait
Key Specifications | |||
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Item # | PDR1C(/M)a | PDR1(/M) PDR1V(/M)b |
|
Rotation Range | 360° Continuous | ||
Typical Step Sizec | 30 μrad | 250 µrad | |
Step Size Adjustabilityd | Up to 100% | Up to 30% | |
Max Step Frequency | 20 kHz | 2 kHz | |
Typical Max Speed (Continuous Stepping) |
100°/se,f | 20°/sg | |
Horizontal Load Capacity | 1 kg (2.2 lbs) | ||
Vertical Load Capacity |
10 mN•mh | 15 mN•mi | |
Holding Torque | 20 mN•m | 25 mN•m | |
Wobble | ≤200 μrad | ||
Required Controller | PDXC, KIM001, or KIM101 | KIM001 or KIM101 | |
Dimensions (W x D x H) | 30.0 mm x 30.0 mm x 18.0 mm |
40.0 mm x 40.0 mm x 18.0 mm |
|
Center Hole |
Thread | 1/4"-20 (M6 x 1.0) | SM05 (0.535"-40) |
Clear Aperture | Ø4.9 mm | Ø9.0 mm | |
Cage System Compatibility | Rotary Platform: 16 mm | Fixed Base: 30 mm | |
Vacuum Compatibility | N/A | PDR1(/M): N/A PDR1V(/M): 10-6 Torr |
ORIC® Piezo Inertia Stage Selection Guide |
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5 mm Translation Stage |
20 mm Translation Stages |
50 mm Translation Stage |
Rotation Stages |
Vacuum-Compatible Stages |

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XY + rotation stage created by mounting a PDR1C(/M) rotation stage on a PD1D(/M) XY stage.

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XY + rotation stage created by mounting a PDR1C(/M) rotation stage on a PD1D(/M) XY stage using a PD1Z(/M) right angle bracket.
Features
- Stainless Steel Stages with Piezo Inertia Drive (See Table to the Right)
- Open-Loop Design Ideal for Applications Requiring High-Resolution Relative Positioning
- Center Bore for Beam Passthrough or Optomech Mounting
- Cage System Compatible (See Table to the Right)
- 8-32 (M4 x 0.7) Holes on Sides for Post Mounting
- Stack with 20 mm or 50 mm Stages to Create XY + Rotation Configurations (See Photos Below)
- Requires a Piezo Inertia Controller (Sold Separately)
- Vacuum-Compatible Stage Suitable for Pressures Down to 10-6 Torr
Thorlabs' PDR1C(/M), PDR1(/M), and PDR1V(/M) ORIC® Piezoelectric Inertia Drive Rotation Stages (U.S. Patent 11,218,090) provide 360° of stable, open-loop piezo-controlled rotary motion in compact packages. Two sizes are available, each with different mounting features and performance characteristics, as shown in the table to the right and on the Specs tab. The step size is dependent on the load and the drive voltage and can be further adjusted by changing the rise and fall voltages used to control the stages. In addition to continuous long-term stepping, the stages can also be used in a rotate-and-hold mode. The PDR1V(/M) stage is a vacuum-compatible version of the PDR1(/M) stage with flying leads.
Compatibility with Other ORIC Stages
These rotation stages can be combined with ORIC 20 mm or 50 mm travel linear stages to create an XY + rotation stage. See the photos to the right for examples using a PD1D(/M) monolithic 20 mm XY stage and the PDR1C(/M) rotation stage.
A PD1U(/M) adapter plate is required to mount a PDR1(/M) or PDR1V(/M) stage on a PD1(/M) linear stage or PD1D(/M) XY stage. A PDR1(/M) or PDR1V(/M) rotation stage can also be mounted on top of a PD3(/M) 50 mm linear stage using ER05-P4 cage rods and the PD3T(/M) adapter plate.

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Simplified Illustration Showing the Operation of the Piezo Inertia Drive

The "stick-slip" cycle consists of a slow piezo expansion and a fast piezo contraction.
Piezoelectric Inertia "Stick-Slip" Motor
The piezo inertia motor consists of three main parts: a flexure-coupled piezo actuator, a friction element, and a rotating platform. For clockwise rotation, the piezo slowly expands under the ramp voltage during the "stick" part of the cycle, pushing the friction element and the rotating platform in unison. During the "slip" part, the drive voltage drops rapidly, and the piezo element returns to its starting length, with the friction element "slipping." Due to the rotating platform's inertia and the low coefficient of kinetic friction between the friction element and the surface of the platform, the rotating platform does not reverse its direction during this process. The graph to the right shows the piezo drive voltage during one "stick-slip" cycle.
Repeating this cycle produces continuous clockwise rotation of the stage. For rotation in the reverse direction, the opposite drive voltage pattern is required, resulting in rapid piezo expansion and slower piezo contraction, or "slip-stick."
The achieved step size will vary and is not repeatable due to several factors, including the application conditions, piezo hysteresis, component variance, and the axial load. To help overcome this variance, an external feedback system will be necessary.
Item # | PDR1C(/M)a | |
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Driving Controller | PDXC Benchtop Controller |
KIM001 or KIM101 K-Cube Controllers |
Rotation Range | 360° Continuous | |
Step Size | 30 µrad (Typical)b; <60 µrad (Max)c |
150 µrad (Typical)b; <200 µrad (Max)c |
Step Size Adjustabilityc | Up to 100% | None |
Maximum Step Frequencyd | 20 kHz | 2 kHz |
Maximum Speed (Continuous Stepping)e,f |
100°/s (Typical) | 30°/s (Typical) |
Speed Variation Over Travel Range (Average)f |
±10% (Typical) | |
Horizontal Load Capacity | 1 kg (2.2 lbs) | |
Vertical Load Torque Capacityg | 10 mN•m | 15 mN•m |
Holding Torque | 20 mN•m | |
Wobble | ≤200 µrad | |
Lifetimeh | >10 Billion Steps | |
Connector Type | Female SMC | |
Cable Length | 1 m (3.3 ft)i | |
Piezo Capacitance | 170 nF | |
Operating Voltage | 125 V (Max) | |
Operating Temperature | 10 to 40 °C (50 to 104 °F) | |
Dimensions | 30.0 mm x 30.0 mm x 18.0 mm (1.18" x 1.18" x 0.71") |
|
Weight (Including Cable) | 96 g (3.39 oz) | |
Required Controller (Sold Separately Below) |
PDXC, KIM001, or KIM101j |
Item # | PDR1(/M) | PDR1V(/M) |
---|---|---|
Driving Controller | KIM001 or KIM101 K-Cube Controllersa | |
Rotation Range | 360° Continuous | |
Step Size | 250 µrad (Typical)b; <350 µrad (Max)c |
|
Step Size Adjustabilityc | Up to 30% | |
Maximum Step Frequency | 2 kHz | |
Maximum Speed (Continuous Stepping)d | 20°/s (Typical) | |
Speed Variation Over Travel Range (Average)d | ±10% (Typical) | |
Horizontal Load Capacity | 1 kg (2.2 lbs) | |
Vertical Load Torque Capacitye | 15 mN•m | |
Holding Torque | 25 mN•m | |
Wobble | ≤200 µrad | |
Lifetimef | >10 Billion Steps | >10 Billion Stepsg |
Vacuum Compatibility | N/A | 10-6 Torr |
Connector Type | Female SMC | Flying Leads Attached to Stage; Additional Bare Lead-to-SMC Female Cable Included |
Cable Length | 1 m (3.3 ft)h | 0.75 m (2.48 ft) Flying Lead for Vacuum; 1.0 m (3.3 ft)i Cored Cable for Wiring Outside Chamber |
Piezo Capacitance | 170 nF | |
Operating Voltage | 125 V (Max) | |
Operating Temperature | 10 to 40 °C | |
Dimensions | 40.0 mm x 40.0 mm x 18.0 mm (1.57" x 1.57" x 0.71") |
|
Weight (Including Cable) | 151 g (5.33 oz) | 163 g (5.75 oz) |
Required Controller (Sold Separately Below) |
KIM001 or KIM101 |
PDR1C(/M) & PDR1(/M)
Female SMC

0 to 125 V
PDR1V(/M)
Flying Leads

0 to 125 V
PTFE Jacket, 30 AWG
Additional Cable with Female SMC Connector*

0 to 125 V
*The PDR1V(/M) includes an additional bare lead-to-SMC cable.
Software
PDXC Version 1.4.1
The PDXC Software Package, which includes a GUI, drivers, and LabVIEW™/C++/Python SDK for third-party development.
Thorlabs offers the PDXC software package to interface with the PDXC Piezo Stage Controller. This controller is designed to drive the following piezo inertia stages:
- PD2(/M) 5 mm Linear Stage
- PD1(/M) 20 mm Linear Stage
- PD1V(/M) Vacuum-Compatible 20 mm Linear Stage
- PD1D(/M) 20 mm Monolithic XY Stage
- PDX1(/M) 20 mm Linear Stage with Optical Encoder
- PD3(/M) 50 mm Linear Stage
- PDR1C(/M) Rotation Stage
The software package allows two methods of usage: graphical user interface (GUI) utilities for direct interaction with and control of the controllers 'out of the box', and a set of programming interfaces for third-party development of custom-integrated positioning and alignment solutions to be easily programmed in the development language of choice (LabVIEW™/C++/Python SDK).
Thorlabs offers two platforms to drive our wide range of motion controllers: our Kinesis® software package or the legacy APT™ (Advanced Positioning Technology) software package. Either package can be used to control devices in the Kinesis family, which covers a wide range of motion controllers ranging from small, low-powered, single-channel drivers (such as the K-Cubes™ and T-Cubes™) to high-power, multi-channel, modular 19" rack nanopositioning systems (the APT Rack System).
The Kinesis Software features .NET controls which can be used by 3rd party developers working in the latest C#, Visual Basic, LabVIEW™, or any .NET compatible languages to create custom applications. Low-level DLL libraries are included for applications not expected to use the .NET framework. A Central Sequence Manager supports integration and synchronization of all Thorlabs motion control hardware.

Kinesis GUI Screen

APT GUI Screen
Our legacy APT System Software platform offers ActiveX-based controls which can be used by 3rd party developers working on C#, Visual Basic, LabVIEW™, or any Active-X compatible languages to create custom applications and includes a simulator mode to assist in developing custom applications without requiring hardware.
By providing these common software platforms, Thorlabs has ensured that users can easily mix and match any of the Kinesis and APT controllers in a single application, while only having to learn a single set of software tools. In this way, it is perfectly feasible to combine any of the controllers from single-axis to multi-axis systems and control all from a single, PC-based unified software interface.
The software packages allow two methods of usage: graphical user interface (GUI) utilities for direct interaction with 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 programmed in the development language of choice.
A range of video tutorials is available to help explain our APT system software. These tutorials provide an overview of the software and the APT Config utility. Additionally, a tutorial video is available to explain how to select simulator mode within the software, which allows the user to experiment with the software without a controller connected. Please select the APT Tutorials tab above to view these videos.
Software
Kinesis Version 1.14.36
The Kinesis Software Package, which includes a GUI for control of Thorlabs' Kinesis and APT™ system controllers.
Also Available:
- Communications Protocol
Thorlabs' Kinesis® software features new .NET controls which can be used by third-party developers working in the latest C#, Visual Basic, LabVIEW™, or any .NET compatible languages to create custom applications.
C#
This programming language is designed to allow multiple programming paradigms, or languages, to be used, thus allowing for complex problems to be solved in an easy or efficient manner. It encompasses typing, imperative, declarative, functional, generic, object-oriented, and component-oriented programming. By providing functionality with this common software platform, Thorlabs has ensured that users can easily mix and match any of the Kinesis controllers in a single application, while only having to learn a 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 Kinesis System Software allows two methods of usage: graphical user interface (GUI) utilities 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 programmed in the development language of choice.
For a collection of example projects that can be compiled and run to demonstrate the different ways in which developers can build on the Kinesis motion control libraries, click on the links below. Please note that a separate integrated development environment (IDE) (e.g., Microsoft Visual Studio) will be required to execute the Quick Start examples. The C# example projects can be executed using the included .NET controls in the Kinesis software package (see the Kinesis Software tab for details).
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Click Here for the Kinesis with C# Quick Start Guide Click Here for C# Example Projects Click Here for Quick Start Device Control Examples |
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LabVIEW
LabVIEW can be used to communicate with any Kinesis- or APT-based controller via .NET controls. In LabVIEW, you build a user interface, known as a front panel, with a set of tools and objects and then add code using graphical representations of functions to control the front panel objects. The LabVIEW tutorial, provided below, provides some information on using the .NET controls to create control GUIs for Kinesis- and APT-driven devices within LabVIEW. It includes an overview with basic information about using controllers in LabVIEW and explains the setup procedure that needs to be completed before using a LabVIEW GUI to operate a device.
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Click Here to View the LabVIEW Guide Click Here to View the Kinesis with LabVIEW Overview Page |
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Achieving the Specified Performance
In this application note, we will discuss how to achieve the specified velocity and step size for the open-loop PD1(/M), PD1D(/M), and PDR1(/M) ORIC® Stages when driving them with KIM001 or KIM101 K-Cube™ Controllers; examples using the Kinesis® software and the K-Cube's front panel controls are discussed below. There are limitations when using an open-loop system, and we have created this application note to help minimize velocity and step size variation. We recommend using this application note upon initial setup, and/or if you are having issues with velocity and step size variation. For further details on how to change settings, please refer to the manuals of the individual stage and controller.

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Figure 2: These are the recommended channel settings for the PD(R) stage type. They can be changed in Device Settings -> Current Device Settings-> Channel 1.

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Figure 1: When controlling an Oric Stage, the stage type needs to be set to PD(R). This can be found in the Kinesis Software Device Settings -> Startup.

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Figure 4: Depicted in the circle is the jog mode, which should be set to continuous. This can be changed in Device Settings -> Current ->

Figure 3: Circled in black are the jog buttons which can be found in the device GUI.
Kinesis© Software Control with a K-Cube Controller
The Kinesis software defaults the stage type to PIA, which is not applicable to ORIC stages; to change this, we need to change the startup settings. The startup settings can be found by first accessing the device settings in the device GUI panel and then clicking the Startup tab. Under the Configuration tab, change the stage type to PD(R), check the "Persist Settings to the Device" box on the bottom right, and click the "Save" button in the lower left corner. These selections are shown circled in Figure 1. By using these settings, the Kinesis software will use the PD(R) stage type. The other device and channel settings can also be changed in the startup settings.
With the PD(R) stage type, we recommend certain channel settings to achieve the specified speed, speed variation, and force. These settings can be changed in the "Channel 1" tab of the device settings and are depicted in Figure 2. We will be focusing on the settings in the “Drive” box, circled in black, and the "Jog" box, circled in blue.
For the "Drive" box, we recommend setting the "Maximum Voltage" to 85 V, the "Rate" at 2000 steps/s, and "Acceleration" to 10000 Steps/s2. For the settings in the "Jog" box, we recommend setting the "Forward Size" to 250 Steps, the "Reverse Size" to 250 Steps, the "Mode" to "Continuous", the "Step Rate" to 2000 Steps/s, and the "Step Acceleration" to 10000 Steps/s2. To achieve the specified results, it is important to make sure the stage is mounted properly to an even surface, to our recommended mounting plate, or to a compatible adapter plate.
A continuous jog at a step rate higher than 1000 steps/s can only be achieved by using the jog buttons in the device GUI, shown circled in Figure 3. Continuous jog movement is limited to within 1000 step/s when using the joystick on the KIM101 K-Cube Controller or wheel on the KIM001 K-Cube Controller. Single movement or movement by counts is not limited to 1000 step/s when using the joystick or wheel.
Please note that if you change the jog mode in Kinesis to "Continuous" or "Single" this will only influence the jog buttons in the Kinesis GUI, shown circled in Figure 3. This will not change the joystick mode on the KIM001 or KIM101 controller front panel. The jog mode can be found in Kinesis under Device settings -> Channel 1 -> "Jog" box -> "Mode", also shown in Figure 4. More information on this can be found in the Front Panel Control section, located below.

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Figure 6: Kinesis software showing the "Device" tab under Device Settings in the Device GUI. The "Maximum Step Rate" setting is circled in blue. To use the joystick with continuous jogging mode this setting must be less than 1000 steps/s. The Kinesis joystick modes can be selected via the dropdown menu circled in black.

Figure 5: Drawing of the front panel of the KIM101 K-Cube Controller showing option 5, Joystick Mode.

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Figure 8: Kinesis software showing where the step size can be changed using the "Forward Size" and "Reverse Size" settings. The "Mode" setting, also shown, only affects the controls of the jog buttons in the GUI and does not affect the joystick mode.

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Figure 7: The drive rate can be changed in the Kinesis software under Device Settings -> Current -> Channel 1. This is equivalent to Front Panel Control option 3, "Set Velocity".
KIMx01 Front Panel Control and Related Settings in Kinesis
There are 10 options on the front panel control menu. These can be accessed using the two buttons and joystick on the KIM101 K-Cube Controller or the button and wheel on the KIM001 K-Cube Controller.
Option 5, Joystick Mode, shown in Figure 5, has 3 modes: "Jog to Count", "Jogging in Steps", and "Velocity Control". The Joystick mode in the Kinesis software is related to option 5, Joystick Mode, on the front panel. The three options for the Joystick Mode in the Kinesis software are "Step Rate", "Jog", and "Goto Position". This setting is circled in black in Figure 6.
"Jog to Count" mode will move the stage to the target count, which is defaulted at 0, under the velocity that is set by option 3, "Set Velocity" on the front panel. The setting for option 3 is the velocity at which the stage will move for option 5’s “Jog to Count” mode and for option 1, "Goto Pos Count". There is an equivalent setting in Kinesis which can be found in Device Settings -> Channel 1 -> "Drive" box -> "Rate". This is shown in Figure 7.
In "Jogging in Steps" mode, option 3, "Set Velocity" does not change the stage's velocity. The velocity in this mode must be changed in the Kinesis software. This can be changed in Device settings -> Channel 1 -> "Jog" box -> "Step Rate". Instead of changing the step rate to increase the stage speed, the step size can be changed to increase the stage speed. The step size can be changed on the front panel of a KIM001 or KIM101 device through option 4, "Jog Step Size". This can also be achieved in Kinesis through Device settings -> "Channel 1" -> "Jog" box-> "Forward Size" and "Reverse Size", shown in Figure 8.
In option 5 "Velocity Control" mode, the joystick can be used to achieve continuous jogging, but only if the velocity is less than 1000 step/s. This velocity cannot be changed by option 3 on the front panel. The velocity can only be changed in the Kinesis software under the Device settings -> Device -> "Maximum Step Rate", shown in Figure 6. A value of 10000 may appear initially, but this value is not accepted by the software and must be revised to a number between 1 and 1000.
In Kinesis, the joystick mode "Step Rate", is related to the "Velocity Control" mode on the front panel and can use the setting of "Maximum Step Rate". The "Direction Sense" can be used to switch the travel direction when using the joystick or wheel.
The APT video tutorials available here fall into two main groups - one group covers using the supplied APT utilities and the second group covers programming the APT System using a selection of different programming environments.
Disclaimer: The videos below were originally produced in Adobe Flash. Following the discontinuation of Flash after 2020, these tutorials were re-recorded for future use. The Flash Player controls still appear in the bottom of each video, but they are not functional.
Every APT controller is supplied with the utilities APTUser and APTConfig. APTUser provides a quick and easy way of interacting with the APT control hardware using intuitive graphical control panels. APTConfig is an 'off-line' utility that allows various system wide settings to be made such as pre-selecting mechanical stage types and associating them with specific motion controllers.
APT User Utility
The first video below gives an overview of using the APTUser Utility. The OptoDriver single channel controller products can be operated via their front panel controls in the absence of a control PC. The stored settings relating to the operation of these front panel controls can be changed using the APTUser utility. The second video illustrates this process.
APT Config Utility
There are various APT system-wide settings that can be made using the APT Config utility, including setting up a simulated hardware configuration and associating mechanical stages with specific motor drive channels. The first video presents a brief overview of the APT Config application. More details on creating a simulated hardware configuration and making stage associations are present in the next two videos.
APT Programming
The APT Software System is implemented as a collection of ActiveX Controls. ActiveX Controls are language-independant software modules that provide both a graphical user interface and a programming interface. There is an ActiveX Control type for each type of hardware unit, e.g. a Motor ActiveX Control covers operation with any type of APT motor controller (DC or stepper). Many Windows software development environments and languages directly support ActiveX Controls, and, once such a Control is embedded into a custom application, all of the functionality it contains is immediately available to the application for automated operation. The videos below illustrate the basics of using the APT ActiveX Controls with LabVIEW, Visual Basic, and Visual C++. Note that many other languages support ActiveX including LabWindows CVI, C++ Builder, VB.NET, C#.NET, Office VBA, Matlab, HPVEE etc. Although these environments are not covered specifically by the tutorial videos, many of the ideas shown will still be relevant to using these other languages.
Visual Basic
Part 1 illustrates how to get an APT ActiveX Control running within Visual Basic, and Part 2 goes on to show how to program a custom positioning sequence.
LabVIEW
Full Active support is provided by LabVIEW and the series of tutorial videos below illustrate the basic building blocks in creating a custom APT motion control sequence. We start by showing how to call up the Thorlabs-supplied online help during software development. Part 2 illustrates how to create an APT ActiveX Control. ActiveX Controls provide both Methods (i.e. Functions) and Properties (i.e. Value Settings). Parts 3 and 4 show how to create and wire up both the methods and properties exposed by an ActiveX Control. Finally, in Part 5, we pull everything together and show a completed LabVIEW example program that demonstrates a custom move sequence.
Part 1: Accessing Online Help
Part 2: Creating an ActiveX Control
Part 3: Create an ActiveX Method
Part 4: Create an ActiveX Property
Part 5: How to Start an ActiveX Control
The following tutorial videos illustrate alternative ways of creating Method and Property nodes:
Create an ActiveX Method (Alternative)
Create an ActiveX Property (Alternative)
Visual C++
Part 1 illustrates how to get an APT ActiveX Control running within Visual C++, and Part 2 goes on to show how to program a custom positioning sequence.
MATLAB
For assistance when using MATLAB and ActiveX controls with the Thorlabs APT positioners, click here.
To further assist programmers, a guide to programming the APT software in LabVIEW is also available here.
Posted Comments: | |
Oriol A.
 (posted 2021-06-18 04:50:39.913) How well do they compare with the elliptec motors, in particular the ELL14? For discrete positioning of optical elements the ELL14 is sometimes not accurate enough, does this one have better resolution and repeatability? cdolbashian
 (posted 2021-06-25 11:25:33.0) Thank you for contacting us at Thorlabs! What of resolution and repeatability are you looking for? What kind of limitations have you experienced with your ELL14? I have reached out to you with some more questions, and look forward to finding a suitable solution for your application! Xiao Wang
 (posted 2021-04-21 20:00:45.52) Hi, the product page says that the piezo inertia drive is self-locking when the stage is at rest and no power is supplied to the piezo, but I find I can still rotate it manually without power supply. Is that normal??? YLohia
 (posted 2021-04-22 10:58:36.0) Thank you for contacting Thorlabs. The PD1R stage has a holding torque of 25 mN•m. Considering its 34mm rotation plate diameter, a 0.73 N force tangent to the rim would move the plate. The holding torque is intended for locking the stage to make it impervious to vibrations from the setup or environment. Mark Saffman
 (posted 2020-07-18 16:37:55.52) A question about the PDR1. The product page says the stages emit a high pitched noise and generate heat when they rotate. DO the stages cause vibration when rotating? I am concerned about vibrations affecting laser locks. YLohia
 (posted 2020-07-21 10:21:56.0) Thank you for contacting Thorlabs. PDR1 utilizes a piezoelectric inertia drive that is driven by signals of frequencies up to 2 kHz. These frequencies are audible to humans as high pitch noise. The influence of this 2 kHz vibration is much smaller than the overall wobble of the device. |
Rotation Mount and Stage Selection Guide
Thorlabs offers a wide variety of manual and motorized rotation mounts and stages. Rotation mounts are designed with an inner bore to mount a Ø1/2", Ø1", or Ø2" optic, while rotation stages are designed with mounting taps to attach a variety of components or systems. Motorized options are powered by a DC Servo motor, 2 phase stepper motor, piezo inertia motor, or an Elliptec™ resonant piezo motor. Each offers 360° of continuous rotation.
Manual Rotation Mounts
Rotation Mounts for Ø1/2" Optics | |||||||
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Item # | MRM05(/M) | RSP05(/M) | CRM05 | PRM05(/M)a | SRM05 | KS05RS | CT104 |
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Features | Mini Series | Standard | External SM1 (1.035"-40) Threads |
Micrometer | 16 mm Cage-Compatible | ±4° Kinematic Tip/Tilt Adjustment Plus Rotation | Compatible with 30 mm Cage Translation Stages and 1/4" Translation Stagesb |
Additional Details |
Rotation Mounts for Ø1" Optics | ||||||||
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Item # | RSP1(/M) | LRM1 | RSP1D(/M) | DLM1(/M) | CLR1(/M) | RSP1X15(/M) | RSP1X225(/M) | PRM1(/M)a |
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Features | Standard | External SM1 (1.035"-40) Threads |
Adjustable Zero | Two Independently Rotating Carriages | Rotates Optic Within Fixed Lens Tube System |
Continuous 360° Rotation or 15° Increments |
Continuous 360° Rotation or 22.5° Increments |
Micrometer |
Additional Details |
Rotation Mounts for Ø1" Optics | ||||||
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Item # | LM1-A & LM1-B(/M) |
CRM1T(/M) | CRM1LT(/M) | CRM1PT(/M) | KS1RS | K6XS |
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Features | Optic Carriage Rotates Within Mounting Ring | 30 mm Cage-Compatiblea | 30 mm Cage-Compatible for Thick Opticsa |
30 mm Cage-Compatible with Micrometera |
±4° Kinematic Tip/Tilt Adjustment Plus Rotation | Six-Axis Kinematic Mounta |
Additional Details |
Rotation Mounts for Ø2" Optics | |||||||
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Item # | RSP2(/M) | RSP2D(/M) | PRM2(/M) | LM2-A & LM2-B(/M) |
LCRM2(/M) | KS2RS | K6X2 |
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Features | Standard | Adjustable Zero |
Micrometer | Optic Carriage Rotates Within Mounting Ring | 60 mm Cage-Compatible | ±4° Kinematic Tip/Tilt Adjustment Plus Rotation | Six-Axis Kinematic Mount |
Additional Details |
Manual Rotation Stages
Manual Rotation Stages | ||||||
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Item # | RP005(/M) | PR005(/M) | MSRP01(/M) | RP01(/M) | RP03(/M) | QRP02(/M) |
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Features | Standard | Two Hard Stops | ||||
Additional Details |
Manual Rotation Stages | ||||||
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Item # | XRNR1(/M) | XRR1(/M) | PR01(/M) | CR1(/M) | XYR1(/M) | OCT-XYR1(/M) |
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Features | Fine Rotation Adjuster and 2" Wide Dovetail Quick Connect |
Fine Rotation Adjuster and 3" Wide Dovetail Quick Connect |
Fine Rotation Adjuster and SM1-Threaded Central Aperture |
Fine Pitch Worm Gear | Rotation and 1/2" Linear XY Translation | |
Additional Details |
Motorized Rotation Mounts and Stages
Motorized Rotation Mounts and Stages with Central Clear Apertures | ||||
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Item # | DDR25(/M) | PDR1C(/M) | PDR1(/M) | PDR1V(/M) |
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Features | Compatible with SM05 Lens Tubes, 16 mm Cage System, & 30 mm Cage System |
Compatible with 16 mm Cage System | Compatible with SM05 Lens Tubes & 30 mm Cage System |
Vacuum-Compatible; Also Compatible with SM05 Lens Tubes & 30 mm Cage System |
Additional Details |
Motorized Rotation Mounts and Stages with Central Clear Apertures | |||||
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Item # | K10CR1(/M) | PRM1Z8(/M)a | DDR100(/M) | ELL14 | HDR50(/M) |
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Features | Compatible with SM1 Lens Tubes & 30 mm Cage System | Compatible with SM1 Lens Tubes, 16 mm Cage System, 30 mm Cage System |
Compatible with SM1 Lens Tubes, Open Frame Design for OEM Applications |
Compatible with SM2 Lens Tubes |
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Additional Details |
Motorized Rotation Mounts and Stages with Tapped Platforms | ||
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Item # | PRMTZ8(/M)a | ELL18(/M)b |
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Features | Tapped Mounting Platform for Mounting Prisms or Other Optics | Tapped Mounting Platform, Open Frame Design for OEM Applications |
Additional Details |


Click for Details
Rotation Stage Features. Dimensions for the metric stage are given in parentheses.
- Continuous 360° Rotation at Speeds Up to 100°/s When Driven with the PDXC Controller
- Typical Step Size: 30 µrad When Driven with the PDXC Controller
- Platform Size: Ø1.10" (Ø28.0 mm)
- Internal 1/4"-20 (M6 x 1.0) Threads
- Ø0.19" (Ø4.9 mm) Clear Aperture
- Four 8-32 (M4 x 0.7) Threaded Holes
- Four 4-40 Threaded Holes for 16 mm Cage System
- Platform Height: 18.0 mm
- Compact Footprint: 30.0 mm x 30.0 mm
- Integrated 1 m (3.3 ft) Cable with Female SMC Connector
- Requires a PDXC, KIM001, or KIM101 Piezo Controller (Sold Separately Below)
The PDR1C(/M) ORIC® Open-Loop Piezo Inertia Compact Rotation Stage can operate at speeds up to 100°/s with no backlash and with a typical step size of 30 µrad when driven with the PDXC controller; when driven with the KIM001 or KIM101 controllers, the stage can operate at speeds up to 30°/s and a typical step size of 150 µrad. The piezo inertia drive is self-locking when the stage is at rest and no power is supplied to the piezo. These features make the PDR1C(/M) stage ideal for set-and-hold applications that require resolutions smaller than a milliradian and long-term alignment stability.
Mounting Features
The PDR1C(/M) stage can be mounted vertically or horizontally. Three sides of the stage each have one 8-32 (M4 x 0.7) tapped hole for mounting to a Ø1/2" post. We recommend using SS8S038 (SS4MS10) setscrews when mounting the stage on a Ø1/2" post to not exceed the depth of these holes (3.5 mm [0.14"]). Two #2 (M2) mounting slots, located on opposite corners of the stage, can be used to mount the stage to a flat, even surface (flatness ≤5 μm is recommended) or to one of our ORIC 20 mm linear stages when constructing an XY + rotation configuration.
The rotating top plate features four 8-32 (M4 x 0.7) threaded holes, four 4-40 threaded holes for compatibility with 16 mm cage systems, and a 1/4"-20 (M6 x 1.0) thru hole in the center for mounting optomech or for applications that require an optical path to pass through the body of the stage; the clear aperture of the center hole is Ø0.19" (Ø4.9 mm).
Compatible Accessories
The PD1B(/M), PD1B2(/M), and PD1U(/M) adapter plates each provide a flat surface for mounting the PDR1C(/M) stage; each plate also offers a unique variety of additional mounting features. The PD1T(/M) adapter plate can be mounted below the PDR1C(/M) stage and features a central 8-32 (M4 x 0.7) tapped hole for post mounting. The PD1Z(/M) right-angle bracket allows the PDR1C(/M) stage to be mounted in an XY+θY rotation configuration.
Each stage has an integrated 1.0 m cable; the PAA101 1.5 m SMC extension cable and T5026 male-to-male SMC adapter can be used to extend the cable length. Due to the capacitance of the cables, please note that the total length of the control cable should not exceed 2.5 m.
Required Controller
A PDXC Piezo Inertia Stage Controller, KIM001 Single-Channel K-Cube™ Piezo Inertia Motor Controller, or KIM101 Four-Channel K-Cube Piezo Inertia Motor Controller, available below, is required to operate this stage; the piezo inertia drive cannot be driven using a standard piezo controller. The KIM101 controller must be the 2019 or newer version and have firmware revision 010004 or higher installed. Earlier versions of this controller or those with older firmware will not function properly and may cause failure of the stage and/or the controller. The previous-generation TIM101 controller is not compatible. The specifications for this stage were measured using the PDXC benchtop controller and the KIM101 K-Cube controller; the KIM001 controller provides similar performance to the KIM101 controller. Since the PDXC operates at higher frequencies but outputs a lower maximum voltage than the K-Cube controllers, it can drive the PDR1C(/M) stage at a higher speed with a smaller step size and lower driving torque.
Note: During operation, the stage makes a high-pitch noise and may generate some heat. This is normal behavior in the performance of the device and does not indicate a fault condition.


Click for Details
Rotation Stage Features. Dimensions for the metric stage are given in parentheses.

Click to Enlarge
XY + rotation stage created by mounting a PDR1(/M) rotation stage on two PD1(/M) 20& mm travel linear stages. Two 5/16" (8 mm) long, 8-32 (M4 x 0.7) screws are required to mount the bottom PD1(/M) stage to the UBP2(/M) base.

Click to Enlarge
XY + Rotation Stage created by mounting two PD1(/M) linear stages on a PDR1(/M) rotation stage using the included accessories. Note that the cables from the PD1(/M) stages will limit the rotation in this configuration.
- Continuous 360° Rotation at Speeds Up to 20°/s
- Typical Step Size: 250 µrad
- Platform Size: Ø1.34" (34.0 mm)
- Internal SM05 (0.535"-40) Threads
- Ø0.35" (Ø9.0 mm) Clear Aperture
- Four 8-32 (M4 x 0.7) Threaded Holes
- Platform Height: 18.0 mm
- Small Footprint: 40.0 mm x 40.0 mm
- Integrated 1 m (3.3 ft) Cable with Female SMC Connector
- Requires a KIM001 or KIM101 Piezo Controller (Sold Separately Below)
The ORIC® Open-Loop Piezo Inertia Rotation Stage can operate at speeds up to 20°/s with no backlash and with a typical step size of 250 µrad. The piezo inertia drive is self-locking when the stage is at rest and no power is supplied to the piezo. These features make the PDR1(/M) stage ideal for set-and-hold applications that require resolutions smaller than a milliradian and long-term alignment stability.
Mounting Features
The PDR1(/M) stage can be mounted vertically or horizontally. Ø6 mm through holes at each corner accept ER cage rods, allowing the rotation stage to be incorporated into a 30 mm cage system or mounted on our ORIC 50 mm linear stage using a PD3T(/M) adapter plate. The rods are secured in place with 5/64" (2.0 mm) hex setscrews. Additionally, two sides of the stage each have one 8-32 (M4 x 0.7) tapped hole for mounting to a Ø1/2" post.
The bottom of each stage has two 8-32 (M4 x 0.7) tapped holes spaced 1" (25.0 mm) apart that can be used to mount the stage to a flat, even surface or to one of our ORIC 20 mm linear stages when constructing an XY + rotation configuration. Note that when mounting the stage using these holes, the mounting surface must have a flatness of ≤20 µm.
The rotating top plate features four 8-32 (M4 x 0.7) holes and four holes for Ø2 mm dowel pins that can be used for mounting components or an ORIC linear stage. SM05 (0.535"-40) internal threads in the center of the top plate surround a Ø9 mm (0.35") bore through the center of the stage, enabling applications that require an optical path to pass through the body of the stage.
Compatible Accessories
The UBP2(/M) adapter plate features a central 1/4" (M6) slot, four 4-40 tapped holes spaced for 30 mm cage systems, and an array of additional mounting holes. The PD1U(/M) adapter plate provides a convenient means of mounting a PDR1(/M) rotation stage on top of a PD1(/M) linear translation stage.
Each stage has an integrated 1.0 m cable; the PAA101 1.5 m SMC extension cable and T5026 male-to-male SMC adapter can be used to extend the cable length. Due to the capacitance of the cables, please note that the total length of the control cable should not exceed 2.5 m.
Required Controller
A KIM001 Single-Channel K-Cube™ Piezo Inertia Motor Controller or KIM101 Four-Channel K-Cube Piezo Inertia Motor Controller, available below, is required to operate these stages; the piezo inertia drives cannot be driven using a standard piezo controller. The KIM101 controller must be the 2019 or newer version and have firmware revision 010004 or higher installed. Earlier versions of the controller or those with older firmware will not function properly and may cause failure of the stage and/or the controller. The previous-generation TIM101 controller is not compatible. The specifications for this stage were measured using the KIM101 K-Cube Controller; similar performance is provided by the KIM001 controller.
Note: During operation, the stage makes a high-pitch noise and may generate some heat. This is normal behavior in the performance of the device and does not indicate a fault condition.


Click for Details
Vacuum Rotation Stage Features. Dimensions for the metric stage are given in parentheses.
- Vacuum-Compatible Down to 10-6 Torr
- Continuous 360° Rotation at Speeds Up to 20°/s
- Typical Step Size: 250 µrad
- Platform Size: Ø1.34" (34.0 mm)
- Internal SM05 (0.535"-40) Threads
- Ø0.35" (Ø9.0 mm) Clear Aperture
- Four 8-32 (M4 x 0.7) Threaded Holes
- Platform Height: 0.71" (18.0 mm)
- Small Footprint: 1.57" x 1.57" (40.0 mm x 40.0 mm)
- Integrated 0.75 m (2.48 ft) Cable with Bare Leads
- Additional 1.0 m (3.3 ft) Bare Lead-to-SMC Cable Included
- Requires a KIM001 or KIM101 Piezo Controller (Sold Separately Below)
The ORIC® Open-Loop Piezo Inertia Rotation Stage can operate at speeds up to 20°/s with no backlash and with a typical step size of 250 µrad. The piezo inertia drive is self-locking when the stage is at rest and no power is supplied to the piezo. These features make the PDR1V(/M) stage ideal for set-and-hold applications that require resolutions smaller than a milliradian and long-term alignment stability.
This stage is vacuum compatible down to 10-6 Torr. It is recommended that before the unit and any adapter plates are installed in the vacuum chamber, all components are pre-baked to remove volatile compounds and moisture from the unit, which could potentially spoil the vacuum. During the pre-bake, the temperature must be limited to 120 °C. The stage has an integrated 0.75 m long vacuum-compatible cable with flying leads for connecting the actuator to the vacuum chamber bulkhead. The leads are PTFE-coated, 30 AWG wires; the red lead is positive and the white lead is negative. A 1.0 m dual-core cable with an SMC connector is also included.
Mounting Features
The PDR1V(/M) stage can be mounted vertically or horizontally. Ø6 mm through holes at each corner accept ER cage rods, allowing the rotation stage to be incorporated into a 30 mm cage system or mounted on our ORIC 50 mm linear stage using a PD3T(/M) adapter plate. The rods are secured in place with 5/64" (2.0 mm) hex setscrews. Additionally, two sides of the stage each have one 8-32 (M4 x 0.7) tapped hole for mounting to a Ø1/2" post.
The bottom of each stage has two 8-32 (M4 x 0.7) tapped holes spaced 1" (25.0 mm) apart that can be used to mount the stage to a flat, even surface or to one of our ORIC 20 mm linear stages when constructing an XY + rotation configuration. Note that when mounting the stage using these holes, the mounting surface must have a flatness of ≤20 µm.
The rotating top plate features four 8-32 (M4 x 0.7) holes and four holes for Ø2 mm dowel pins that can be used for mounting components or an ORIC linear stage. SM05 (0.535"-40) internal threads in the center of the top plate surround a Ø9 mm (0.35") bore through the center of the stage, enabling applications that require an optical path to pass through the body of the stage.
Required Controller
A KIM001 Single-Channel K-Cube™ Piezo Inertia Motor Controller or KIM101 Four-Channel K-Cube Piezo Inertia Motor Controller, available below, is required to operate these stages; the piezo inertia drives cannot be driven using a standard piezo controller. The KIM101 controller must be the 2019 or newer version and have firmware revision 010004 or higher installed. Earlier versions of the controller or those with older firmware will not function properly and may cause failure of the stage and/or the controller. The previous-generation TIM101 controller is not compatible. The specifications for this stage were measured using the KIM101 K-Cube Controller; similar performance is provided by the KIM001 controller.
Note: During operation, the stage makes a high-pitch noise and may generate some heat. This is normal behavior in the performance of the device and does not indicate a fault condition.

Key Specificationsa | ||
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SMC Port | Number of Ports | Two |
Voltage | 0 to 40 V | |
Frequency | 20 kHz Max | |
D-Sub Port | Number of Ports | One |
Voltage | -10 to 50 V | |
Frequency | 20 kHz Max | |
Max Current Limit | 10 A | |
Front USB | Type A, USB Host 2.0 | |
Back USB | Type B, USB Device 2.0 | |
Voltage of Analog In/Out | -10 to 10 V, ±2% | |
Voltage of Trigger In/Out | 0 to 5 V, TTL | |
Input Power | 100 - 240 VAC, 50 - 60 Hz |
- Controller for ORIC Piezo Inertia Linear Stages and PDR1C(/M) Rotation Stage
- Supports Both Open- and Closed-Loop Operation
- SMC and 15-Pin D-Sub Ports Available
This controller is designed to control our ORIC piezo-inertia-driven linear stages and the PDR1C(/M) rotation stage. It offers two channels that support open-loop stage control using SMC outputs and one channel that can provide open- or closed-loop stage control using a 15-pin D-sub output.
Embedded software allows this unit to be fully controlled using the buttons, LCD display, and knob on the front panel. Alternatively, built-in external trigger modes support single-channel operation. By connecting multiple controllers together, multi-channel operation in D-sub mode such as a raster scan is possible. Users can select the output port(s), switch between open-loop and closed-loop modes, and perform homing and encoder calibration without being connected to a PC. In addition to these on-unit controls, USB connectivity provides simple PC-control with our available software platform.
The unit comes with a compatible region-specific power cord. For all applications, use an IEC320 compatible power cord fitted with a plug appropriate for your particular power socket. Ensure the line voltage rating marked on the rear panel agrees with your local power supply.
For more information, please see our full web presentation.

Key Specificationsa | ||
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Item # | KIM001 | KIM101 |
Piezoelectric Outputs (SMC Male) | One | Four |
Piezo Output Voltage | 85 to 125 VDC | 85 to 125 VDC per Channel |
Top Panel Controls | Scroll Wheel | Dual-Axis Joystick |
External Input (SMA Female) |
±10 V ± 2% | |
Input Power | +15 VDC @ 2 A | |
Housing Dimensionsb |
60.0 mm x 60.0 mm x 47.0 mm (2.36" x 2.36" x 1.85") |
121.0 mm x 60.0 mm x 47.0 mm (4.76" x 2.36" x 1.85") |
Compatible Software | Kinesis & Legacy APT | |
Compatible Piezo Inertia Stagesc |
5 mm Linear Stage, 20 mm Linear Stages, 50 mm Linear Stage, & Rotation Stages |
- Compact Footprints
- Adjustable Voltage Output from 85 V to 125 V
- Single-Channel and Four-Channel Versions Available
- Standalone Operation via Top Panel Controls and Display or PC Control via USB Plug and Play
- See Table for Compatible Stages
These compact K-Cube Controllers provide easy manual and PC control of our piezo inertia stages that use SMC connectors, piezo inertia actuators, and optic mounts. They are also compatible with our PD2(/M) 5 mm or PD3(/M) 50 mm linear stages when used with a PD2AD adapter cable (sold separately). The controllers feature adjustable voltage output from 85 V to 125 V. The top panel display screen enables operation as soon as the unit is turned on, without the need for connection to a PC. Alternatively, both controllers have USB connectivity that provides 'Plug-and-Play' PC-controlled operation with our Kinesis® software package (included). These controllers can also be operated with our legacy APT™ (Advanced Positioning Technology) software package.
These units have small footprints and may be mounted directly to the optical table using the 1/4" (M6) counterbored slots in the base plate. Their compact size allows these controllers to be positioned close to the motorized system for added convenience when manually adjusting motor positions using the top panel controls. Tabletop operation also allows minimal drive cable lengths for easier cable management.
KIM001 Single-Channel Controller
This single-channel piezo inertia controller provides a voltage output for a single piezo inertia stage or actuator. The top panel features a spring-loaded scroll wheel for driving the stage or actuator as well as selecting menu options.
KIM101 Four-Channel Controller
This four-channel controller features four SMC outputs to drive piezo inertia devices. The channels can be controlled independently or simultaneously in pairs using the dual-axis joystick on the controller's top panel. The controller can be configured to operate up to four PD series piezo inertia stages, up to four PIA series piezo inertia actuators, or up to two PIM series piezo inertia optic mounts; one KIM101 can only concurrently drive devices that use the same "Select Stage" configuration in the controller's menu options (see the manuals for more details).
For more information, please see the full web presentation.
Operation
Set the stage configuration on the KIM001 or KIM101 controller to "PD(R)" before driving this stage. Select the "Select Stage" option, change it from "PIA" to "PD(R)", and then restart the controller. The display will show "Stage is PD(R)" and the configuration will be changed to drive the ORIC PD Series stage. For additional front panel configuration details, please see the KIM001 or KIM101 controller manuals by clicking the red Docs icons () below. These drivers have an internal sawtooth voltage signal generator capable of sending sub-millisecond pulses (steps) with controllable amplitudes from 85 V to 125 V.
Power Supply
The KIM001 and KIM101 Motor Controllers do not ship with a power supply. The compatible KPS201 Power Supply is sold separately below.
Note: Due to the nature of its design, and its non-linear high frequency switching, the KIM001 and KIM001 units are not compatible with the KCH301 and KCH601 hubs. Only use the KPS201 power supply unit. These controllers are also not compatible with the PDX1(/M) stage. Compatibility with the PD2(/M) 5 mm and PD3(/M) 50 mm stages require the PD2AD adapter cable.

- Power Supply Compatible with KIM001 and KIM101 Motor Controllers
- Universal Input: 100 - 240 VAC
- Region-Specific Adapter Plug Shipped with Power Supply
The KPS201 power supply outputs +15 VDC at up to 2.66 A and can power a single K-Cube or T-Cube with a 3.5 mm jack. It plugs into a standard wall outlet. One region-specific plug adapter, selectable at checkout, is included with each power supply.