HT HTML13-NS Manual Translation Stage with 13 mm Travel and Left-Side Micrometer Drive

Overview

The HT HTML13-NS is a high-precision manual translation stage engineered for stable, repeatable linear displacement in optical alignment, interferometry, and micro-positioning applications. Based on the NS-series platform architecture, it employs dual-axis precision linear ball bearing rails to ensure minimal wobble, low angular deviation (< 5 arcsec/13 mm), and consistent straightness over its full 13 mm travel range. Unlike motorized or piezo-driven alternatives, this stage relies on a manually actuated micrometer head mounted on the left side of the base—providing tactile feedback, zero power dependency, and intrinsic immunity to electromagnetic interference. Its design follows classical mechanical metrology principles: motion is translated via a hardened stainless steel fine-pitch lead screw (typically 0.25 mm pitch) coupled to a calibrated micrometer drum with 10 µm resolution graduation, enabling sub-micron incremental adjustments when used with appropriate technique and environmental control.

Key Features

• Precision linear ball bearing guide rails with preloaded carriage for minimal hysteresis and axial play
• Left-side micrometer drive configuration—optimized for right-handed users working from the front or for integration into left-access-limited optical breadboard layouts
• Spring-loaded anti-backlash mechanism compensates for thermal drift and mechanical wear, maintaining consistent contact between nut and screw
• Standardized mounting hole pattern (M4 or M6 threaded holes on 25 mm or 30 mm grid centers) compliant with ISO 8015 and common optical table accessories (e.g., Thorlabs, Newport)
• Anodized aluminum alloy structure offering high stiffness-to-weight ratio (E ≈ 70 GPa), dimensional stability across laboratory temperature ranges (15–25 °C), and corrosion resistance
• Interchangeable drive compatibility: accepts standard 0.25 mm pitch micrometers, differential micrometers (10× amplification), or custom fine-thread actuators without structural modification

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The HTML13-NS is compatible with optomechanical components up to 5 kg in mass under static loading conditions. It supports standard optical elements including mirrors (up to Ø50 mm), lens mounts, fiber couplers, and detector carriers. The stage meets mechanical interface requirements defined in ISO 10110-7 (surface form tolerances) and ISO 9001-aligned manufacturing controls. While not certified to ISO/IEC 17025 as a measurement instrument itself, its repeatability performance (≤ ±1.5 µm at 20 °C, 40–60% RH) is validated per internal HT calibration protocol traceable to NIM (National Institute of Metrology, China) standards. It is suitable for use in GLP-compliant laboratories where positional stability—not absolute metrological certification—is the primary requirement.

Software & Data Management

As a purely manual positioning device, the HTML13-NS does not incorporate electronic sensors, encoders, or digital interfaces. Therefore, no proprietary software, drivers, or firmware updates are required or provided. Position recording and documentation must be performed externally using lab notebooks, spreadsheet logs, or third-party coordinate capture systems (e.g., camera-based centroid tracking or laser interferometer readouts). For audit-trail compliance in regulated environments (e.g., FDA 21 CFR Part 11), users may integrate stage position annotations into LIMS or ELN platforms via manual entry or barcode-linked log entries.

Applications

• Fine alignment of collimated beams in Michelson or Mach–Zehnder interferometers
• Adjustment of grating angles and cavity mirror positions in tunable laser cavities
• Positioning of photodetectors or fiber inputs during coupling efficiency optimization
• Staged translation in multi-axis optical testing rigs (e.g., wavefront sensor calibration, MTF measurement setups)
• Integration into educational optics kits for undergraduate physics laboratories requiring hands-on mechanical positioning intuition
• Backup or fail-safe positioning module in hybrid automated/manual optical systems where electrical redundancy is critical

FAQ

Is the micrometer head included with the stage?
Yes—the HTML13-NS ships with a calibrated metric micrometer head (0–13 mm range, 10 µm scale division) pre-installed on the left side.
Can the drive side be reconfigured to right-side mounting?
No—the left-side mounting is integral to the base plate design; relocation would require machining and compromise structural integrity and alignment accuracy.
What is the maximum recommended load for vertical orientation?
Vertical use is not recommended; the stage is optimized for horizontal operation only. For vertical translation, consult HT’s V-series counterbalanced stages.
Does HT provide calibration certificates?
Calibration reports are available upon request at additional cost and include traceability to national standards, but are not supplied by default.
Are replacement micrometer heads available separately?
Yes—HT offers compatible micrometer heads (model MH-025-M4) with interchangeable threads and matching pitch specifications.