SKR Series Stainless Steel Precision Manual Rotary Stage (Vacuum-Compatible)

Overview

The SKR Series Stainless Steel Precision Manual Rotary Stage (Vacuum-Compatible) is an engineered optical positioning solution designed for high-stability angular alignment in demanding laboratory and industrial environments. Built upon a monolithic 304/316 stainless steel chassis, the stage is fully UHV-compatible—suitable for integration into vacuum chambers operating down to 10⁻⁷ mbar without outgassing or thermal drift concerns. Its core kinematic architecture employs either crossed-roller bearings or angular contact ball bearings, selected per model variant to optimize load capacity, wobble error (< 5 arcsec), and axial/runout repeatability (±1.5 arcsec typical over repeated 360° cycles). The stage operates on a dual-range motion principle: coarse 360° unlimited rotation via manual knob engagement, coupled with fine angular positioning via a calibrated micrometer drive (0–1 mm travel, 10 µm graduation, 1 µm effective resolution under optimal loading). This design satisfies rigorous requirements in interferometry, laser cavity alignment, polarization control, and synchrotron beamline instrumentation where sub-arcsecond reproducibility and mechanical hysteresis < 0.5 arcsec are mandatory.

Key Features

• Vacuum-rated 304/316 stainless steel body and hardware—no anodized aluminum or polymer components; compliant with ISO 10100 cleanroom assembly standards.
• Micrometer-driven fine adjustment with engraved scale and locking collar—enables repeatable angular increments down to 0.001° (3.6 arcsec) under nominal load (≤5 kg).
• Two bearing architecture options: crossed-roller for ultra-low wobble (<3 arcsec) and high moment rigidity; angular contact ball bearings for higher dynamic speed tolerance and lower torque requirements.
• Standardized mounting interface: 1/4″-20 UNC and M6 threaded holes on top plate (grid pattern per ISO 841); matching counterbored holes on base for rigid stacking with linear or goniometric stages.
• Zero-backlash preloaded bearing preload system—factory-adjusted to balance stiffness and smoothness without user recalibration.
• No-lubrication operation in vacuum—solid-film MoS₂ coating on lead screws and bearing races eliminates volatile organic compound (VOC) emission.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The SKR series accommodates optical components up to Ø100 mm diameter and 5 kg mass, including mirrors, waveplates, polarizers, fiber collimators, and detector mounts. All variants meet ISO 9001:2015 manufacturing controls and undergo 100% functional verification—including angular repeatability testing using autocollimator traceable to NIM (National Institute of Metrology, China). Vacuum models conform to ASTM E595 low-outgassing specifications (TML < 0.9%, CVCM < 0.1%). Mechanical interfaces align with common OEM platforms including Thorlabs, Newport, and Standa—enabling drop-in replacement in multi-axis optomechanical assemblies. No RoHS exemptions apply; all materials are fully compliant with EU Directive 2011/65/EU.

Software & Data Management

As a purely manual, non-motorized stage, the SKR series requires no firmware, drivers, or software integration. However, its deterministic mechanical behavior supports full traceability in GLP/GMP-aligned workflows: each unit ships with a calibration certificate listing measured runout, eccentricity, and angular hysteresis at three radial load points (1 kg, 3 kg, 5 kg), referenced to ISO 230-2:2014 test methodology. Optional engraved serial-number laser marking enables asset tracking in regulated environments. For automated systems, the stage serves as a stable passive reference platform compatible with external encoder-based feedback loops (e.g., Renishaw RESOLUTE™ readheads mounted externally).

Applications

• Laser cavity mirror alignment in Ti:sapphire and fiber laser systems requiring long-term angular stability.
• Polarization state control in ellipsometry and Mueller matrix measurement setups.
• Beam steering and optical path length tuning in Michelson and Mach–Zehnder interferometers.
• Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) manipulators within UHV sample chambers.
• Multi-axis coordinate measurement machines (CMMs) where orthogonal rotational degrees of freedom must maintain orthogonality within ±2 arcsec over thermal cycling (15–35°C).
• Educational optics labs—used to demonstrate diffraction grating orientation sensitivity and Brewster angle verification.

FAQ

Is the SKR stage suitable for ultra-high vacuum (UHV) applications?

Yes. All vacuum-rated SKR models use helium-leak-tested stainless steel housings, ceramic-coated micrometer screws, and solid-lubricant bearing surfaces certified to ASTM E595 and ESA SCC 320001.

Can multiple SKR stages be stacked to create a goniometer configuration?

Yes. The standardized base and top plate hole patterns (M6 and 1/4″-20) allow rigid mechanical coupling with optional kinematic spacers or direct bolt-down integration per ISO 10100 stacking guidelines.

What is the maximum allowable off-center load before angular deviation exceeds specification?

At 5 kg centered load, runout remains ≤3 arcsec. With 2 kg applied 30 mm off-center, deviation increases to ≤6 arcsec—still within ISO 230-2 Class 3 tolerances for precision positioning stages.

Does ZOLIX provide NIST-traceable calibration documentation?

Each unit includes a factory calibration report with measurement uncertainty budgets per ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Annex A. NIST-traceable autocollimator verification is available as an optional add-on service.