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SM1-threaded lens tubes can be threaded onto both the front and back plate of the SPT1N slip plate mount.
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The LM1XY(/M) provides 1 mm travel in both X and Y with250 µm per revolution for careful centering of lenses or pinholes.
Features
- XY Translation Mounts for Ø1/2", Ø1", Ø2", or Rectangular Optics
- Provides Precision XY Travel
- Slip-Plate, Adjuster-Screw, Micrometer, or Differential Drive Translation Modes
- Various Models Compatible with Our SM-Threaded Lens Tubes
- Post Mountable via One or More 8-32 (M4) Tapped Holes
Thorlabs offers a variety of mounts that provide coarse or precise XY translation when positioning optical components. The different models offered include slip plate positioners, Mini-Series compatible XY travel mounts, precision XY mounts,6 mm XY travel mounts, as well as translation mounts for rectangular optics. All items featured on this page can accept Ø1/2", Ø1", Ø2", or rectangular optics directly. With the exception of Item #s XYF1(/M) and XYF2(/M), they can also accept optics mounted inside lens tubes with SM05 (0.535"-40), SM1 (1.035"-40), or SM2 (2.035"-40) threading (see table below).
| General Specifications | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Item # | Description | Optic Size Accomodated | SM Thread Compatibility | XY Travel | Post Mounting | Cage Compatibility |
| SPT1C(/M) | Slip Plate Positioners | Ø1" | SM1 (1.035"-40) | ±0.04" (±1 mm) | 8-32 (M4) Tap | 30 mm |
| SPT1CT(/M) | ||||||
| SPT1N(/M) | N/A | |||||
| MCXY05(/M) | Mini-Series Compatible XY Translation Mounts | Ø1/2" | SM05 (0.535"-40) | ±0.04" (±1 mm) | 4-40 (M3) Tap | 16 mm |
| LM05XY(/M) | Precision XY Translation Mounts | Ø1/2" | SM05 (0.535"-40) | ±0.04" (±1 mm) | 8-32 (M4) Tap | N/A |
| LM1XY(/M) | Ø1" | SM1 (1.035"-40) | ||||
| LM2XY(/M) | Ø2" | SM2 (2.035"-40) | ||||
| ST1XY-x(/M) | 6 mm XYTranslation Mounts | Ø1" | SM1 (1.035"-40) | ±0.12" (±3.0 mm) | Three 8-32 (M4) Taps | 30 mm |
| XYF1(/M) | Translation Mount for Rectangular Optics | 1/2" (12.7 mm) to 3" (76.2 mm) Wide Rectangular Optics | N/A | X: 50 mm (1.97") Y: 30 mm (1.18") | Five 8-32 (M4) Taps | N/A |
| XYF2(/M) | Translation Mount for Rectangular Optics | 2.95" (75.0 mm) to 3.03" (77.0 mm) Wide, 0.98" (25.0 mm) to 3.03" (77.0 mm) Tall, 0.04" (1.0 mm) to 0.07" (1.7 mm) Thick Rectangular Optics | ||||
Reading a Vernier Scale on a Linear Main Scale
Vernier scales are typically used to add precision to standard, evenly divided scales (such as the scales on Thorlabs' rotation, goniometric, or translation mounts). A vernier scale has found common use in many precision measurement instruments, the most common being calipers and micrometers. The vernier scale uses two scales side-by-side: the main scale and the vernier scale. The direct vernier scale has a slightly smaller spacing between its tick marks owing to the vernier scale having N ticks for everyN - 1 ticks on the main scale. Hence, the lines on the main scale will not line up with all the lines on the vernier scale. Only one line from the vernier scale will match well with one line of the main scale, and that is the trick to reading a vernier scale.
Figures 1 through 3 show a linear vernier scale system for three different situations. In each case, the scale on the left is the main scale, while the small scale on the right is the vernier scale. When reading a vernier scale, the main scale is used for the gross number, and the vernier scale gives the precision value. In this manner, a standard ruler or micrometer can become a precision instrument.
The 0 on the vernier scale is the "pointer" (marked by a red arrow in Figures 1 - 5) and will indicate the main scale reading. In Figure 1 we see the pointer is lined up directly with the 75.6 line. Notice that the only other vernier scale tick mark that lines up well with the main scale is 10. Since thepointer lines up with the main scale’s 75.6, the reading from Figure 1 is 75.60 (in whatever units theinstrument measures).
That is essentially all there is to reading a vernier scale. It's a very straightforward way of increasing the precision of a measurement instrument. To expound, let’s look at Figure 2. Here we see that the pointer is no longer aligned with a line on the main scale, but instead it is slightly above 75.6 and below 75.7; thus, the gross measurement is 75.6. The first vernier line that coincides with a main scale line is the 5, shown with a blue arrow. The vernier scale gives the final digit of precision; since the 5 is aligned to the main scale, the precision measurement for Figure 2 is 75.65.
Since this vernier scale is 10% smaller than the main scale, moving the vernier scale by 1/10 of the main scale will align the next vernier marking. This asks the obvious question: what if the measurement is within the 1/10 precision of the vernier scale? Figure 3 shows just this. Again, the pointer line is in between 75.6 and 75.7, yielding the gross measurement of 75.6. If we look closely, we see that the vernier scale 7 (marked with a blue arrow) is very closely aligned to the main scale, giving a precision measurement of 75.67. However, the vernier scale 7 is very slightly above the main scale mark, and we can see that the vernier scale 8 (directly above 7) is slightly below its corresponding main scale mark. Hence, the scale on Figure 3 could be read as 75.673 ± 0.002. A reading error of about 0.002 would be appropriate for
this instrument.
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Figure 1: An example of how to read a vernier scale. The red arrow indicates what is known as the pointer. Since the tick mark labeled 10 on the vernier scale aligns with one of the tick marks on the main scale, this vernier scale is reading 75.60 (in whatever units theinstrument measures).
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Figure 2:The red arrow indicates the pointer and the blue arrow indicates the vernier line that matches the main scale. This scale reads 75.65.
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Figure 3:The red arrow indicates the pointer, and the blue arrow indicates the vernier line that matches the main scale. This scale reads 75.67 but can be accurately read as
75.673 ± 0.002.
Reading a Vernier Scaleon aRotatingMain Scale
The vernier scale may also be used on rotating scales where the main scale and vernier scale do not share units. Figures 4 and 5 show a vernier scale system for two different situations where the main scale is given in degrees and the vernier scale has ticks every 5 arcmin (60 arcmin = 1°). In each case, the scale on thetop is the main scale, while the small scale on thebottom is the vernier scale.
In Figure4 we see the pointer is lined up directly with the 341° line. Notice that the only other vernier scale tick marks that line up well with the main scale are ±60 arcmin. Since thepointer lines up with the main scale at 341°, the reading from Figure4 is 341.00°.
There are two ways to determine the reading if the zero on the vernier scale line is between two lines of the main scale. For the first method, take the line on the left side of thepointer on the vernier scale and subtract that value (in arcmin) from the value on the main scale that is to the right on the main scale. As an example, in Figure 5 the vernier pointer is between342° and343°; using the left blue arrow of the vernier scale results in
As we've seen here, vernier scales add precision to a standard scale measurement. While it takes a bit of getting used to, with a little practice, reading these scales is fairly straightforward. Vernier scales, whether they are direct or retrograde*, are read in the same fashion.
*A retrograde vernier scale hasa larger spacing between its tick marks withN ticks for everyN + 1 ticks on the main scale.
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Figure 4: An example of a vernierscale where the main scale and the vernier scale are in different units (degrees and arcmins, respectively). The red arrow indicates the pointer. This scale reads 341.00°.
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Figure 5:The red arrow indicates thepointer and the blue arrows give the precision value from the vernier scale.
This scale reads 342.75°.
| Posted Comments: | |
user (posted 2019-07-26 10:28:59.56) I would like this product a lot more if it had locking screws on the adjusters like the cage mount version. I am leaning towards using a competitors product at the moment because of the lack of locking screws. Alternately, could you add post mounting to the CXY1? YLohia  (posted 2019-07-29 09:41:39.0) Hello, thank you for your feedback. We are currently in the process of developing a post-mountable version of the CXY1. I have posted your suggestion regarding the lockable adjusters on our internal engineering forum for further consideration. sebastien.sauvage  (posted 2016-12-08 08:13:44.477) When I add the metric LM1XY/M in my metric basket, the interface tells me that in red "There is a mixture of Imperial and Metric items in your shopping cart.". tfrisch  (posted 2016-12-14 01:31:38.0) Hello, thank you for contacting Thorlabs. I have reached out to you directly for more details on the contents of your cart. scottie730318  (posted 2014-04-18 12:15:12.64) Do the LM1XY and LM1XY/M has the same Ø1"(25.4 mm)?Are the LM1XY and LM1XY/M are different at the LM1XY for 8-32 Mounting Hole and LM1XY/M for M4 x 0.7 Mounting Hole, respectively?ThanksBest Regards jlow  (posted 2014-04-18 03:10:52.0) Response from Jeremy at Thorlabs: Yes, the only difference between the LM1XY and the LM1XY/M is the mounting hole on the bottom (#8-32 vs. M4). Thorlabs  (posted 2010-08-26 13:47:57.0) Response from Javier at Thorlabs to Daniel: Thank you for your feedback. We will modify the LM1XY mount accordingly. I will keep you updated of the progress, and will also send you a prototype. daniel.sauder  (posted 2010-08-26 10:34:46.0) Please incorporate 2 mounting points to the LM1XY stages, opposite both adjustment screws, so that the mount can be used in either orientation. The side adjustment screw interferes with my setup, and I can not turn it around, since the adjustments only work on one side. Laurie  (posted 2009-01-22 10:52:27.0) Response from Laurie at Thorlabs: Thank you for your interest in our LM2XY Translation Mount. Due to the use of adhesives, you will not be able to take this component fully apart. It is also not intended for high vacuum use above 1E-3 Torr due to the anodizing, grease, and epoxy used. However, we are able to create custom items that would be suitable for vacuums up to 1E-6 Torr values. If you are interest in pursuing that avenue, please contact our technical support staff. daniel.s.barber  (posted 2009-01-20 16:20:56.0) I want to take apart an LM2xy and a lm1xy so that they can be cleaned for high vacuum use. How do I take them apart? Dan mtortoreto  (posted 2007-12-13 11:36:56.0) HPT1 added to page. jmills  (posted 2007-12-12 17:08:24.0) I see a picture of the HPT1 and it is discussed in the over view but it does not appear to order from this page |
