NARISHIGE SR-5B Base Plate

Overview

The NARISHIGE SR-5B Base Plate is a precision-engineered mounting platform designed exclusively for integration with the NARISHIGE SR-5B motorized micromanipulator system. As a foundational mechanical interface, it serves as a rigid, vibration-damped foundation that ensures optimal positional stability and repeatability during high-resolution micro-positioning tasks—particularly in electrophysiology, patch-clamp recording, intracellular injection, and stereotaxic neurophysiology applications. Constructed from high-density anodized aluminum alloy, the base plate features precisely machined T-slots and threaded mounting holes (M4 and M6) aligned to NARISHIGE’s standardized accessory interface pattern. Its structural design adheres to principles of static rigidity and low resonant frequency, minimizing parasitic motion under dynamic load conditions typical of piezoelectric or stepper-driven manipulators. Unlike generic lab platforms, the SR-5B Base Plate is dimensionally and functionally co-developed with the SR-5B manipulator head, enabling zero-backlash coupling and sub-micrometer alignment fidelity across X-Y-Z axes.

Key Features

• Dimensionally optimized footprint (400 × 300 × 110 mm) for balanced center-of-gravity distribution and compatibility with standard optical tables and vibration isolation systems
• Integrated T-slot rail system (8 mm groove width) supporting rapid, tool-free attachment of auxiliary stages, electrode holders, and camera mounts per NARISHIGE’s modular accessory ecosystem
• Pre-drilled and tapped mounting points conforming to ISO 20/ISO 25 metric thread standards (M4 at 25 mm pitch, M6 at 50 mm pitch), ensuring interoperability with third-party positioning hardware
• Surface flatness tolerance ≤ ±5 µm over full top plane, verified via coordinate measuring machine (CMM) calibration report included with each unit
• Anodized aluminum construction (hardness ≥ 60 HV) providing corrosion resistance, non-magnetic properties, and thermal expansion coefficient matched to SR-5B manipulator housing (23.1 × 10⁻⁶ /°C)
• Weight-optimized mass (6.5 kg) to suppress resonant amplification below 12 Hz when mounted on passive air-isolation tables

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The SR-5B Base Plate does not interact directly with biological or chemical samples; rather, it functions as a passive mechanical substrate enabling reproducible spatial registration of instruments relative to specimens. It is routinely deployed in GLP-compliant electrophysiology rigs where traceable mechanical setup integrity is required per ISO/IEC 17025:2017 clause 6.4.2 (equipment suitability). The base plate’s material composition complies with RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU and is certified free of nickel release (EN 1811:2011+A1:2015), making it suitable for use in cleanroom-classified environments (ISO 14644-1 Class 5). No regulatory submission (e.g., FDA 510(k), CE IVD) applies, as it is classified as a Class I non-active laboratory accessory under MDR 2017/745 Annex XVI.

Software & Data Management

As a purely mechanical component, the SR-5B Base Plate requires no firmware, drivers, or software integration. However, its geometric consistency directly supports data traceability in automated workflows: when used with NARISHIGE’s S-1000 controller and optional digital position encoder modules, the base plate’s fixed reference frame enables absolute coordinate mapping within the SR-5B’s internal coordinate system. This facilitates post-hoc spatial reconstruction of electrode trajectories in neuroanatomical datasets—critical for publication-grade reporting under FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data principles. All dimensional specifications are digitally archived in NARISHIGE’s product lifecycle management (PLM) system and available upon request as STEP/AP214 CAD files for integration into custom rig simulation models.

Applications

• Stereotaxic alignment of SR-5B manipulators in rodent brain slice or in vivo recording setups, ensuring <10 µm positional drift over 8-hour acquisition sessions
• Multi-probe coordination in dual-patch configurations, where parallel base plates maintain inter-manipulator orthogonality within ±0.1° angular deviation
• Integration with motorized microscope stages (e.g., Prior ProScan III) via shared dovetail interfaces, enabling synchronized sample-stage–manipulator navigation
• Support for cryo-electrophysiology rigs operating at −20 °C ambient, validated for thermal cycling stability between −40 °C and +50 °C without delamination or warpage
• Modular expansion of multi-modal rigs combining optogenetics (LED/laser coupling), calcium imaging (sCMOS camera mounts), and electrical stimulation (ground-plane-integrated PCB adapters)

FAQ

Is the SR-5B Base Plate compatible with older NARISHIGE manipulators such as the MO-10 or MM-10?

Yes—the mounting hole pattern maintains backward compatibility with MO-10 and MM-10 series via optional adapter plates (part #AP-SR5B-MO10), available separately.
Can this base plate be bolted directly to an optical table with M6 threads?

Yes. The underside features four countersunk M6 × 1.0 threaded inserts spaced at 320 × 220 mm centers, matching standard optical table grid pitches.
Does the base plate include leveling feet or height-adjustable supports?

No. It is intended for use with externally adjustable leveling mounts (e.g., Thorlabs KM100) or integrated optical table height compensation systems.
What surface finish options are available beyond standard hard-anodizing?

Custom black epoxy coating (per MIL-DTL-5541F Type II) and electropolished stainless steel variants (model SR-5B-SS) are available under OEM agreement with minimum order quantity of 10 units.