HTMR25-NS Manual Translation Stage with 25 mm Travel and Right-Side Micrometer Drive

Overview

The HTMR25-NS is a high-precision manual translation stage engineered for stable, repeatable linear displacement in optical alignment, interferometry, microscopy, and photonics integration applications. Built upon a rigid aluminum alloy base with hardened stainless steel components, it employs a precision-ground linear ball bearing rail system to ensure low-friction, high-stiffness motion with minimal wobble or pitch/yaw deviation. Its 25 mm travel range is actuated via a right-side mounted micrometer head—providing intuitive, tactile control with sub-micron incremental resolution dependent on the attached micrometer’s graduation (typically 10 µm per division for standard 0.01 mm pitch units). The stage utilizes a spring-preloaded nut mechanism to eliminate axial backlash, ensuring consistent positioning repeatability across bidirectional movement without manual re-homing.

Key Features

• Precision linear motion enabled by dual-axis preloaded ball bearing rails for high straightness (< ±1.5 µm over full travel) and minimal roll/pitch error
• Right-side micrometer drive configuration optimizes workspace ergonomics and avoids interference with rear-mounted optics or fiber couplers
• Integrated spring-loaded backlash compensation eliminates play between lead screw and nut, enabling reliable zero-backlash positioning
• Standardized mounting interface featuring a grid of M4 threaded holes (25 mm spacing) compliant with ISO 8573-1 and common optomechanical breadboard patterns
• Modular drive compatibility: accepts standard 0.5 mm pitch micrometer heads, fine-pitch (e.g., 0.25 mm) lead screws, or differential micrometers for enhanced resolution (down to ~1 µm)
• Anodized aluminum construction ensures dimensional stability across ambient lab conditions (15–30 °C), with corrosion resistance suitable for cleanroom-class environments

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The HTMR25-NS is designed for use with optical components up to 150 mm × 150 mm and ≤ 2 kg mass, maintaining positional stability under static loading. Its mechanical design conforms to widely adopted optomechanical interoperability standards, including compatibility with Thorlabs, Newport, and Standa mounting accessories. While not certified to ISO 9001 or CE for industrial automation, the stage meets functional requirements for laboratory-grade instrumentation under GLP-aligned workflows. It supports traceable calibration when paired with NIST-traceable micrometer heads and is routinely deployed in setups requiring alignment reproducibility compliant with ISO 10110-7 (optical component surface form testing) and ANSI Z80.10 (ophthalmic instrument alignment protocols).

Software & Data Management

As a purely manual mechanical stage, the HTMR25-NS does not incorporate electronic sensors, encoders, or embedded firmware. Position tracking and documentation rely on external metrology tools—including digital calipers, laser interferometers (e.g., Keysight 5530 series), or vision-based coordinate measurement systems. For integration into automated test sequences, it serves as a passive positioning node within larger platforms where motorized stages handle closed-loop motion; its standardized footprint enables straightforward retrofitting with stepper-motorized variants (e.g., HTMR25-SM series) when upgrading to computer-controlled operation. No proprietary software or driver installation is required.

Applications

• Coarse and fine alignment of laser diodes, collimators, and fiber ports in free-space coupling setups
• Positioning reference mirrors and beam splitters in Michelson, Mach-Zehnder, and Twyman-Green interferometers
• Stage for sample translation in confocal fluorescence microscopy and Raman mapping systems
• Adjustment platform for spectral filters, waveplates, and polarizers in polarization-sensitive experiments
• Base module in multi-axis kinematic mounts (e.g., XYZ stacks) for beam steering and focus tuning
• Teaching platform in undergraduate optics labs for demonstrating linear motion principles, Abbe error, and mechanical hysteresis

FAQ

What is the typical bidirectional repeatability of the HTMR25-NS?
Under controlled lab conditions and using a calibrated 0.01 mm resolution micrometer head, the stage achieves ≤ ±2 µm bidirectional repeatability over 10 consecutive cycles.
Can this stage be mounted vertically or inverted?
Yes—its symmetrical rail geometry and spring-loaded preload allow reliable operation in any orientation; however, gravitational sag may reduce effective load capacity by ~30% in vertical configurations.
Is the micrometer head included with the stage?
No—the HTMR25-NS is supplied as a bare stage; users must select and attach a compatible micrometer head based on required resolution and ergonomic preference.
Are custom hole patterns or black anodization available?
OEM modifications—including non-standard tap patterns, black hard-anodized finish (per MIL-A-8625 Type III), and engraved scale markings—are available upon request with minimum order quantities.
Does the stage meet vacuum compatibility requirements?
Standard units are not vacuum-rated due to lubricant outgassing and adhesive use; however, vacuum-compatible versions with dry-film lubricants and brazed construction can be commissioned separately.