M3-LS Linear Smart Stage has integrated drive electronics for smallest size, fast and simple system integration.

The M3-LS Linear Smart Stage is the latest addition to the M3 micro-mechatronic smart module family. The miniature 28 x 20 x 9.5 mm USB stage offers: 

• 0.5 �m resolution
• Less than 10 �m run-out
• Less than 1 mrad pitch and yaw
• 6 mm travel range
• Low power use (3.3 V DC, 500 mW when moving)   

All electronics are completely integrated in the tiny stage housing, making system integration simple and fast. No external control board is needed. Input to the stage is simple high-level motion commands via USB, using New Scale's Pathway™ PC software. Control multiple stages from a single screen, and use the powerful script generator to create command sequences for automated operations.  

 

VIEW THE VIDEO of the M3-LS Linear Smart Stage in action

The stage can also be driven directly from a system processor via I2C or SPI standard serial interface.

 

The New Scale M3-LS Smart Stage provides significant advancements in features and performance over the company's M3-L Smart Actuator introduced in 2010. An actuator, intended for pushing and pulling axial loads, does not tolerate side forces. In contrast, this new ultra-compact stage supports side loads of up to 20 grams without loss of precision or speed. No separate bearing or guide mechanism is required.

 

 

The 6 mm travel stage requires only 3.3 V DC input and uses just 500 mW (when moving), which can be supplied by standard batteries, USB or other common power source. No power is required for the motor to hold position, and the integrated electronics can be switched to sleep mode for extreme low-power applications.

 

The M3-LS Linear Smart Stage is ideal for use in hand-held or portable OEM instruments for high-resolution RF tuning, precision photonics, laser beam targeting, UAV/UGV controls, miniature cameras, metrology, biomedical automation and more.

Learn more:

• Watch the video (3:19)
• Get details and specifications 
• Download data sheet with drawings (736Kb PDF)