FAQ Manual Stage

In principle, all the drawings of stages show when carriages are in the center of the travel ranges.

◆ Manual Stage
The travel range is indicated by +/- from the center. For example, in the case of +/-10mm, centering on the position shown in the trace diagram, the stage move 10mm in negative direction and 10mm in positive direction (* full travel length is 20mm)

◆ Motorized Stage
The travel range represents the full travel length. For example, in the case of 100 mm, centering on the position shown in the trace diagram, the stage move 50mm in positive direction (CW) and 50mm in negative direction (CCW)

[exception]
There is an exception in manual Z-axis stages. In that case, rather than showing travel range by +/-, it shows travel range in each of positive and negative directions.

It is equivalent to general dimension tolerance medium grade .

It is equivalent to general dimension tolerance medium grade.

Parts drawings are not disclosed because they are confidential data.

For B63-80AR, only the X axis stage is opposite of B63-80A, and the horizontal Z-axis. X-axis stage is exactly same.

X-axis (lower stage): clamp position is on reverse side, right vs. left (it is the direction which reflected B63-80A of the dimensional drawing on the mirror). Horizontal Z-axis (upper stage): same as B63-80A.

■ Other products with reverse-type products (R type) where the horizontal Z-axis remains same as standard-type products;.
・ Manual horizontal XZ axis: B63 series
・ Manual horizontal thin-type XYZ axis: B72 series
・ Manual horizontal XYZ axis: B76 series

The specifications for each product are based on installation on a flat surface.
As the load applied to the guide of stages changes, it is difficult to clearly define the load capacity of the installation with upside down.

The followings are only for reference.
◆ It is possible to use if the load point is directly below the stage top (center).
* If load is applied to the overhanging position, the load capacity cannot even be estimated, and therefore we do not recommend the use.

#Less than one third of the horizontal load capacity.
・ Various X axis stages
・ Horizontal Z-axis stage・・・B36 series(discontinued products)
・ Rotary stage(fitting type)・・・BRE series
・ Rotary stage(fitting type)・・・B43 series
・ Rotary stage(cross roller guide)・・・B44 / BS43 / B47 series
・ Various gonio stages

◆ Products that can not be used with upside down
・ Z axis stage・・・BSS(BSB)36 / B31 series
・ Horizontal Z-axis stage ・ ・ ・ B33 series(lever type) / B37-60
・ Rotary stage (ball bearing) ・・・ B48 series (discontinued products)
・ Tilt stage (discontinued product)
・ Z axis-mount・・・B34 seires
・ Lab jack・・・B35 series

■ In the case of the X-axis stage
If there is a model of Z axis stage with bracket attached to the stage, please refer to the load capacity of that.
model (Example: BSS16-40CZ → BSS36-40CU)
* The load capacity is the weight supported by the micrometer head (feed screw).

■ Other products
The specifications for each product are based on installation on a flat surface. Because the load applied to the stage guide changes, the load capacity of the installation with the side perpendicular cannot be clearly defined.


#The following is only for reference.
◆ It can be used if the load point is near the center of the top of the stage.
* If load is applied to the overhanging position, the standard load capacity can not be estimated, therefore we do not recommend the use.
Less than one third of horizontal placement
・ Horizontal Z-axis stage (lever type) ・ ・ ・ B33 series
・ Horizontal Z-axis stage (wedge) ・ ・ ・ B36 series (discontinued product)
・ Rotary stage (fitting type) ・ ・ ・ B43 series
・ Rotary stage (cross roller bearing) ・ ・ ・ B44 / B47 / BS43 series
・ Various gonio stages

◆ Use in side vertical not recommended
・ B15-150 series
・Horizontal Z-axis stage・・・B38 series（discontinued product)
・ Rotary stage (fitting type) ・ ・ ・ BRE series
・ Rotary stage (ball bearing) ・・・ B48 series (discontinued products)
・ Tilt stage (discontinued product)
・ Z axis-mount・・・B34 seires
・ Lab jack・・・B35 series

The specifications for each product are based on installation on a flat surface.
Because the load applied to the stage guide changes, the load capacity of horizontal installation cannot be clearly defined.


#The following is only for reference.

◆ It can be used if the load point is near the center of the top of the stage.
* If load is applied to the overhanging position, the standard load capacity can not be estimated, therefore we do not recommend.
Less than one third of horizontal placement
・X axis stage
・ Horizontal Z-axis stage (lever type) ・ ・ ・ B33 series
・ Horizontal Z-axis stage (wedge) ・ ・ ・ B36 series (discontinued product)
・ Rotary stage (fitting type) ・ ・ ・ B43 series
・ Rotary stage (cross roller bearing) ・ ・ ・ B44 / B47 / BS43 series
・ Various gonio stages

◆ Use in side horizontal not recommended
・Horizontal Z-axis stage・・・B38 series（discontinued product)
・ Rotary stage (fitting type) ・ ・ ・ BRE series
・ Rotary stage (ball bearing) ・・・B48 series (discontinued products)
・ Tilt stage (discontinued product)
・ Z axis-mount・・・B34 seires
・ Lab jack・・・B35 series

The dovetail stage has a gap on the sliding surface. There is individual difference in the size of the gap, and the difference in inclination when a moment is given also increases. Therefore, the moment rigidity is not specified.

If there is severe slope due to the moment, please select linear ball guide or cross roller guide products which the moment rigidity value is specified.

In the case of a rack rail, there is a possibility that the table may come off because there is no stopper. So, we do not recommend using it on the Z axis.Please consider to take measures such as providing a stopper externally, or to use the B05 / B06 series which has a built-in stopper.

1) Read the 0 position of the vernier of A in 1 mm increments with the B scale. (29 mm in the case of the figure)
2) Look at the scale of A and read the scale C at the same position as the scale of B, and make it a numerical value of 0.1 mm place. (0.6 mm in the case of the figure) 3) The sum of above 1) and 2) shows the current position of the stage. (29.6 mm in the case of the figure)

* In the case of reading of micrometer head 0.01 mm
1) Read in 0.5 mm increments how many mm the sleeve position (A) shows at the end of the thimble. (7.5 mm in the case of the figure)
2) Read the value of the thimble at the position where the reference line of the sleeve and the thimble match (B). (0.38 mm in the case of the figure)
3) The sum of above 1 and 2 shows the current position of the stage. (In the case of the figure, 7.5 mm + 0.38 mm = 7.88 mm)

The scale (0 to 360 deg) is all clockwise. It is same for both standard (L) and reverse type (R) rotary stages.

B33-40A → 3.75 mm
B33-40 KGA → 3.25 mm
B33-60A → 3.75 mm
B33-60 KGA → 6 mm
B33-70 KGA → 6 mm
B33-80A → 5.5mm
* In practical use, mounting dimensional error of about ± 0.5 mm may occur.

◆ Standard clamp
Tighten the clamp knob, then push and fix the clamp plate on the side of stage by using resin ring.

◆ Disk clamp
Fix the disk attached to the side of the stage by tightening the clamp knob.The load on the stage body can be reduced, and it is possible to suppress the gap when fixed.

◆ Opposite clamp
Press the bolt from the opposite direction of the micrometer. In order to prevent further loosening with a nut, a large fixing force can be obtained.

There is a clamp option called "opposite clamp".
It presses the bolt from the opposite direction of the micrometer (or feed screw). Furthermore, a large fixing force can be obtained because the nut is used to prevent loosening.
* The holding power is improved, and the looseness can be reduced.

There is a clamp option called "disk clamp".
Fix the disk attached to the side of the stage by tightening the clamp knob. The load on the stage body can be reduced, and it is possible to suppress the gap when fixed.

Our manual rotary stage is designed to enable fine adjustment after coarse positioning. The coarse clamp must be tightened first. Specifically, the procedure is as follows.
1. Coarse adjustment with the feed knob to the desired position (the knob turns 360 degrees)
2. Tighten and fix the coarse clamp
3. Fine adjustment with a micrometer to the desired position
4. Tighten and fix the micromotion clamp

The operating environment of the stage is as follows.
Operating environment: 10 to 50 °C, 20 to 70% RH (non-condensing)
Recommended operating environment: 22 ± 5 °C, 20 to 70% RH (non-condensing)

It is possible to use.
However, thermal expansion and contraction occur in the temperature change. It is recommended to use at a constant temperature if it is used for precise measurement. If the temperature change is large, let the stage adapt to that temperature for several hours before using.
* We do not measure data for temperature change.

The use environment of the stage is as follows.
Operating environment: 10 to 50 ° C, 20 to 70% RH (non-condensing)
Recommended operating environment: 22 ± 5 ° C, 20 to 70% RH (non-condensing)

Please avoid using in the following places.
・ A place with many dust and powder (especially metal powder)
・ A place exposed to direct sunlight and radiant heat
・ A place near fire
・ A place where corrosive gas or flammable gas is generated
・ A place where water or oil gets caught
・ A place where vibrations and shocks are transmitted
・ A place where there are many solts or organic solvents

Our standard stages are not designed for vacuum environment.
Grease replacement (Solvay Specialty Polymers Japan Inc., Grease for vacuum, Fomblin YVAC2) is available for limited models (see below).You can order with the option code "-L" at the end of the model number.

■ Grease-replaceable products
・ Support only SS stage (model BSS / BSB)
Operation side clamp & multiple mounting postures are not supported

Our standard stages are not designed for clean environment.
Grease replacement (only compatible with THK company, clean environment grease, AFF) is available for limited models (see below). You can order by option code (adding "-J" at the end of model number).

■ Grease-replaceable products
・ Support only SS stage (model BSS / BSB)
Operation side clamp & multiple mounting postures are not supported

There is a clamp option called "opposite clamp".
It presses the bolt from the opposite direction of the micrometer (or feed screw). Furthermore, a large fixing force can be obtained because the nut is used to prevent loosening.

* The holding power is improved, and the looseness can be reduced.
* In principle, please avoid the use under environment where vibration or shocks are trasmitted

When used at high humidity, rust may occur in the guide part of the stage. We do not recommend the use under such environment.

Manufacturer name: THK
Product Name: Grease for clean environment
Model: AFF
* Please note that there is a possibility to change without notice for product improvement.

Manufacturer name: Shell Lubricants Japan
Product Name: Albania Grease
Model: S2
* Please note that there is a possibility to change without notice for product improvement.

There is no provision for product life.
Operating environment (temperature, humidity, etc.), load conditions, frequency of use, etc.
It is not possible to estimate the usage period of the guideline because it totally depends on the factors on the user side.

There are no regular standards, regardless of the type of grease.
Depending on the driving conditions and guide type, check the grease condition about once a month and apply it as needed.

1) Remove old grease within visible range.
2) Apply with a syringe etc.
3) Make the full stroke operation several times.
4) Wipe out any excess grease.

There are some products that additional work, bracket remodeling, replacement to specified grease, etc. are possible, but others are not.We will answer the possibility after hearing your required specification.

Please contact us with the details of the situation (desired custom specification) from the contact form.

Products with stainless steel stages are not available for additional work.

The product is not intended to be modified by the customer.Improper accuracy, product wear, deterioration, etc. may occur.

We can take special order in such case. Please contact us from the contact form.

* For your information, we do not sell only the connecting block(BDL-40).

If the customer changes the clamp to the other side, the top plate and the clamp plate may interfere with each other and may cause scrape.Therefore, we do not recommend to do so.

Yes, it will follow (return to the original point). The mechanism is to push it back by spring.

Mounting an object with a rough surface or attaching it to a surface with a rough surface will deform the stage surface and may affect the accuracy.(The standard of flatness is within 10 μm.) Please confirm the flatness of the monting object and the mounting location.

The configuration of the Z axis stage is "X axis stage + Z axis bracket".Therefore, each stage can be purchased separately as an X-axis stage.

* Example. BSS36-60A → "X-axis stage: BSS16-60AZ" + "Z-axis bracket: ASS60Z-1"

For BSS, BSB and B11 series, some models have feed mechanism option of a coarse/fine motion micrometer (minimum reading 0.5 μm) or a fine pitch feed screw (0.25 mm/one knob rotation).

For dovetail stages, there is a type with a coarse and fine movement handle.
* BDLXB ・ B06-11BM ・ B05-11BM etc

Mounting an object with a rough surface or attaching it to a surface with a rough surface may deform the stage surface and affect the accuracy. (The standard of flatness is within 10μm.) Please check the flatness of the object and the mounting location.

It has a mechanism to return by coil spring. Please check if the clamp screw is left tightened.

Even if the clamp is tightened, the stage will move if you turn the micrometer.If you want to improve the holding power, we have an opposing clamp option.
However, some products do not have the opposing clamp option. Please check the option code for details on each product page of the catalog.
* BSS/BSB Series (X-axis/XY-axis)
* Some products do not offer the opposing clamp option.

Please check if the clamp screw is left tightened.

◆ Pitching:
Rotating movement around the axis perpendicular (left and right) to the traveling direction (front and back)
→ Inclination of up and down

◆ Yawing:
Rotating movement around the axis perpendicular (up and down) to the traveling direction (front and back)
→ Inclination of left and right

◆ Rolling:
Rotating movement around the axis of travelling direction (forward and backward)

◆ Straightness [unit: μm]
Maximum displacement amount (distance) in the horizontal and vertical directions with respect to the ideal movement axis.

◆ Pitching [unit: "]
Maximum displacement angle in the vertical swing direction .

◆ Yawing [unit: "]
Maximum displacement angle in the horizontal swing direction.

◆ Straightness of movement [unit: μm]
・ Maximum displacement amount (distance) in the horizontal and vertical directions with respect to the ideal movement axis

◆ Verticality of movement [unit: μm]
・ Fix the horizontal plane Z axis stage and right angle reference on reference plane
・ Measure the displacement between the right angle reference and the measuring equipment set on the top of the stage.
・ The maximum difference among the values shall be the "Perpendicularity".

◆ Eccentricity [unit: μm]
・ Displacement of center axis of rotation in horizontal direction.

◆ Runout [unit: μm]
・ Maximum difference of displacement with respect to the reference plane when making one rotation with outer circumference as measurement point.

◆ Parallelism [unit: μm]
· Fix the stage on the reference plane.
· A numerical value indicating how parallel the stage carriage and the reference plane are.

◆ Motion parallelism [unit: μm]
· Fix the stage on the reference plane.
· Place equipment for measuring the height with the reference plane on the stage carriage.
· Maximum difference of measured values ​​by moving the stage

◆ Allowable moment load [unit: N · m] (manual stage)
It is a numerical value that specifies how far the load can be applied away from the stage surface.
* Criteria within tolerance
1. The feeling of operation is not significantly impaired.
2. Accuracy after disconnecting the load can fit within the catalog guaranteed values.

◆ Moment rigidity [Unit: "/ N · cm]
・ The displacement angle per 1 N · cm when moment load is applied toward the stage carriage in the direction of the respective pitch, yaw & roll.
* Based on the distance from the center of the stage carriage (upper surface)
* The moment rigidity value in the catalog is described as a representative actual measurement value.

It is the direction which reflected the manual stage in the mirror.
・In the side push type, the operating position (micrometer / feed screw) and the position of the clamp are switched.
・In the center push type, only the clamp is on the opposite side of the stage carriage.