HTDL100-X Manual Linear Translation Stage with Precision Dove-Tail Guide Rails

Overview

The HTDL100-X is a manually operated linear translation stage engineered for high-stability optical positioning in research-grade laboratory environments. It employs a dual dovetail rail guidance system—comprising hardened and ground steel rails with precisely mated sliding surfaces—to deliver superior load capacity, lateral rigidity, and repeatability over its full 100 mm travel range. Unlike ball-bearing or crossed-roller stages, the dovetail design inherently resists moment loading and minimizes axial play, making it especially suitable for applications requiring sustained static alignment under moderate mechanical load (e.g., mounting heavy optical components such as monochromators, beam expanders, or collimators). Motion is actuated via a precision-ground stainless steel lead screw with fine-pitch threading (typically 0.5 mm or 1.0 mm pitch), coupled to a knurled brass or aluminum adjustment knob offering tactile feedback and controlled incremental displacement. The stage’s structural integrity derives from anodized aluminum alloy construction (6061-T6), ensuring dimensional stability across ambient temperature fluctuations typical in non-climate-controlled labs.

Key Features

• Dual precision-machined dovetail guide rails provide enhanced resistance to tipping moments and improved load distribution—rated for static loads up to 15 kg (33 lbs) without measurable hysteresis or backlash.
• 100 mm unidirectional travel with sub-10 µm repeatable positioning accuracy under consistent manual torque application.
• Top and base plates feature standardized tapped hole patterns (M4 at 25 mm grid spacing), fully compatible with Thorlabs, Newport, and Standa optical mounting systems.
• Integrated right-angle bracket compatibility enables rapid reconfiguration into vertical, inverted, or orthogonal multi-axis arrangements without custom machining.
• Corrosion-resistant surface finish and lubrication-free operation ensure long-term reliability in low-dust optical enclosures and cleanroom-adjacent setups.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The HTDL100-X is designed for integration into optical benches, breadboards, and modular optomechanical assemblies where deterministic, non-motorized positioning is required. Its mechanical interface conforms to ISO 10110-7 specifications for optical component mounting tolerances and aligns with widely adopted lab infrastructure standards—including 1/4″-20 and M6 thread compatibility, 25 mm grid spacing, and nominal 12.7 mm (0.5″) height clearance above mounting surface. While not certified to ISO 9001 or CE for industrial automation use, the stage meets functional requirements for academic and industrial R&D laboratories operating under GLP-aligned documentation practices. No electrical or vacuum-rated variants are offered; this is strictly an ambient-pressure, room-temperature mechanical positioning solution.

Software & Data Management

As a purely manual mechanical stage, the HTDL100-X requires no firmware, drivers, or software integration. Position tracking and documentation must be performed externally using calibrated rulers, dial indicators, or digital calipers traceable to NIST standards. For labs implementing electronic lab notebooks (ELNs) or LIMS platforms, users may log positional settings manually or integrate with third-party motion capture systems (e.g., Mitutoyo IP67-compatible digital readouts mounted via optional adapter plates). No proprietary software, API, or USB/RS-232 interface is provided or supported.

Applications

• Precise alignment of laser diodes, fiber couplers, and free-space optical paths in undergraduate and graduate optics laboratories.
• Adjustment of sample-to-lens distance in Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer sample compartments.
• Coarse positioning of detectors or apertures in custom-built interferometric or ellipsometric test beds.
• Stable platform for mounting and translating objective lenses during microscope objective characterization.
• Integration into teaching kits for wave optics experiments involving path-length variation (e.g., Michelson or Mach-Zehnder interferometry).

FAQ

Is the HTDL100-X compatible with motorized actuators?
No—the stage lacks threaded motor-mounting interfaces or encoder mounting provisions. Retrofitting requires custom brackets and does not guarantee positional fidelity or warranty validity.
What is the maximum recommended load for dynamic (moving) operation?
For smooth, low-friction translation under hand operation, the recommended moving load is ≤8 kg (17.6 lbs) to preserve long-term screw and rail wear characteristics.
Can this stage be used in vacuum environments?
Not without modification—standard anodization and factory-applied lubricants are not UHV-compatible. Vacuum-ready versions require dry-film lubricants and alternative surface treatments upon special order.
Are replacement lead screws or dovetail rails available as spare parts?
Yes—Han Ding supplies OEM-grade replacement screws (P/N HTDL-Screw-100) and rail sets (P/N HTDL-Rail-DT2) through authorized distributors, with lead times typically 4–6 weeks.
Does the stage include locking mechanisms?
No integrated lock is included; however, the inherent friction of the dovetail interface provides passive holding force. Optional clamp-style locking plates (e.g., SPL-LK-100) are available separately for vibration-sensitive configurations.