ZOLIX ASM25-XY-2(2A) Two-Axis Manual Translation Stage

Overview

The ZOLIX ASM25-XY-2(2A) is a manually operated, high-stability two-axis orthogonal translation stage engineered for precise positioning in optical alignment, laser beam steering, interferometry setup, and micro-optical component adjustment. Designed according to fundamental mechanical metrology principles, it implements a dual-stage cascaded architecture where two identical TSM25-2(1A) precision manual translation units are orthogonally mounted and mechanically coupled to achieve synchronized XY motion. Each axis employs a hardened stainless-steel lead screw with fine-pitch threading (typically 0.5 mm pitch), actuated via a knurled brass adjustment knob featuring a 100-division vernier scale for sub-millimeter repeatability. The stage body is CNC-machined from stress-relieved aluminum alloy (6061-T6), anodized for corrosion resistance and dimensional stability across ambient laboratory conditions (15–30 °C, <60% RH). Its kinematic design minimizes parasitic motion—pitch, yaw, and roll deviations remain below ±15 arcsec over full travel—ensuring optical path integrity during iterative alignment procedures.

Key Features

• Orthogonal XY configuration with independent, decoupled manual control for each axis
• 25 mm linear travel per axis, calibrated and verified per ISO 230-2:2014 (Test Code for Machine Tools — Part 2: Determination of Accuracy and Repeatability of Positioning Numerically Controlled Axes)
• Integrated vernier scale on both knobs enabling resolution down to 0.025 mm (25 µm) under optimal operator technique
• Low-profile structural design (height ≤ 42 mm) optimized for stacking in multi-layer optical benches or compact optomechanical assemblies
• Standard M4 and M6 threaded mounting holes on base and top plate for compatibility with Thorlabs, Newport, and ZOLIX optical rails and posts
• No lubricant migration risk: dry-running PTFE-coated bronze nut ensures long-term positional stability without outgassing—critical for vacuum-adjacent or cleanroom-qualified optical enclosures

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The ASM25-XY-2(2A) is not a sample-measuring instrument but a positioning platform; therefore, “sample compatibility” refers to payload interface and mechanical integration. It supports payloads up to 2.5 kg uniformly distributed, maintaining bidirectional repeatability ≤ ±1.5 µm (3σ, 10 repeated cycles at mid-travel). Mounting surfaces conform to ISO 8015 geometric tolerancing standards, with flatness ≤ 8 µm over the 75 × 75 mm top plate. While not certified to ISO/IEC 17025, the stage’s manufacturing traceability includes batch-specific dimensional inspection reports aligned with GB/T 1800.2–2009 (Chinese national standard equivalent to ISO 286-2). It is routinely deployed in setups compliant with ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratories performing optical calibration (e.g., collimator alignment per ISO 10110-5), and its material selection meets RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU requirements.

Software & Data Management

This is a purely manual mechanical stage with no embedded electronics, motorization, or digital interface. Consequently, it requires no firmware, drivers, or software installation. Position recording and documentation must be performed externally—users commonly log coordinates using lab notebooks, spreadsheet templates, or LIMS-integrated forms. For automated workflows, the ASM25-XY-2(2A) serves as a reference foundation: many customers integrate it into hybrid systems by replacing one or both TSM25-2(1A) stages with motorized equivalents (e.g., ZOLIX ESM25 series) while retaining the same footprint and kinematic interface—enabling seamless upgrade paths without redesigning optical layouts.

Applications

• Precision alignment of fiber optic couplers, photonic integrated circuits (PICs), and free-space-to-fiber coupling optics
• Iterative null testing in Fizeau interferometers where sub-pixel detector registration demands micron-level stage reproducibility
• Positioning of apertures, filters, or neutral density wedges in spectral characterization rigs (e.g., monochromator output calibration)
• Calibration artifact staging in coordinate measuring machine (CMM) auxiliary optical probing stations
• Teaching platforms in university optics labs for demonstrating Cartesian coordinate transformation, parallax error, and Abbe offset effects

FAQ

Is the ASM25-XY-2(2A) compatible with vacuum environments?
No—it is designed for ambient atmospheric use only. The anodized aluminum body and PTFE-coated nut are not vacuum-rated; outgassing rates and thermal contraction mismatch preclude use below 10⁻² mbar.
Can I mount this stage directly onto an optical table with M6 bolts?
Yes. The base plate includes four symmetrically arranged M6×1.0 threaded holes on 60 mm centers, matching standard optical table hole patterns (e.g., Thorlabs TR series, Newport RS series).
What is the maximum angular deviation (yaw/pitch) over full travel?
Measured per ISO 230-1 Annex C, angular error remains ≤ ±12 arcsec in pitch and ≤ ±10 arcsec in yaw across the entire 25 mm range on either axis.
Does ZOLIX provide calibration certificates with traceability to NIM?
Upon request and subject to additional lead time and fee, ZOLIX can supply a factory calibration report referencing measurements taken with a Renishaw XL-80 laser interferometer, traceable to the National Institute of Metrology (NIM), China.
Can I replace one axis with a motorized stage while keeping the other manual?
Yes. Due to its modular design based on the TSM25-2(1A) platform, single-axis motorization is fully supported using ZOLIX’s ESM25 series or third-party 25 mm travel stages with identical mounting interfaces and height profiles.