MTSCREW
Encapsulated piezo positioning screw
The MTSCREW is a positioning screw and piezo actuator in one part, with both coarse and fine adjustment. Turn the knob for 12 mm of manual travel, then apply a voltage for piezo fine adjustment of up to 22 µm at a resolution of 0.013 µm per 0.1 V step.
It replaces an ordinary adjustment screw, so an existing manual stage or mount gains nanometre scale control without being redesigned around a separate actuator.
Specifications
| Travel, screw drive | 12 mm |
| Travel, piezo drive | 17 µm minimum, 22 µm maximum |
| Resolution, mechanical | About 0.25 mm per revolution |
| Resolution, piezo | 0.013 µm for a 0.1 V step (calculated) |
| Recommended load | 100 N (estimated output force) |
| Adjuster | Manually adjustable M6 x P0.25 screw with a built in piezo element |
| Piezo control voltage | -5 to 75 V |
| Piezo connector | Male SMB |
| Piezo capacitance | 0.8 µF |
| Mounting | A machined hole is required to take the bushing |
| Vacuum compatibility | Not compatible. A version for vacuum environments is available separately. |
| Operating temperature | -25 to 85 ℃ |
How to adjust it
Turn the knob
The screw drive gives 12 mm of travel at roughly 0.25 mm per revolution. Lock the position with the nut once you are close.
Apply a voltage
Between -5 and 75 V the piezo element moves the tip by up to 22 µm, resolving 0.013 µm for every 0.1 V step.
Application examples
Piezo precision stage
Add fine positioning to a stage that would otherwise be adjusted only by hand.
Mirror mount
Set the mirror angle coarsely by knob, then trim it under voltage control.
Main components
- Rotating knob
- Lock nut, M6 x P0.25, 1.5 mm thick
- Screw section, M6 x P0.25
- M6 x P0.25 fine adjustment screw with a built in piezo element
- Bushing
Mounting
- Before gluing the bushing into the mating part, remove the actuator, that is the male thread side, from the bushing.
- The mating part has to be thinner than the length of the bushing.
- Machine a hole in the mounting part to take the bushing, then glue the bushing in place and refit the actuator.
The datasheet includes the outline drawing with the hole dimensions.
Precautions
- Do not drop the MTSCREW. An external impact can damage it.
- The MTSCREW is very sensitive to external force, so handle it with care.
- Store it between -5 and +40 ℃ at 40 %RH or less, with no condensation.
- Using it in high humidity, 70 %RH or above, with a constant DC voltage applied for a long period can cause migration at the internal electrodes of the piezo element and degrade the insulation resistance.
- The operating range is -20 to +85 ℃. Allow for the temperature rise of the piezo element itself during operation.
- Rapid charging and discharging, such as a pulse waveform, can damage a piezo actuator. Change the input voltage gradually, or fit a resistor between the amplifier and the MTSCREW. Always switch the power off before connecting the SMB cable, to avoid unintended charging or discharging.
- Voltages below -10 V or above 75 V can permanently damage the piezo element.
Ask about the MTSCREW
Tell us the screw size and travel your mount uses and we will confirm the fit, including the vacuum compatible version.
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