Horizontal Linear Translation Stage 50 mm
Compact Motorized Single-Axis Precision Positioning Stage with 5 μm Accuracy for Defence and Aerospace Research Applications
The Horizontal Linear Translation Stage 50 mm is a compact, motorized single-axis positioning system delivering 50 mm of precise linear travel with 5 μm straight line accuracy, 5 μm repeatability and 0.1 mm resolution. Driven by a stepper motor through a precision lead screw mechanism with roller guide ways and encoder position feedback, it is engineered for optical path length control, interferometry, spectrum analysis and precision sensor alignment in defence research, aerospace integration and laboratory environments where sub-millimetre positional accuracy is a baseline requirement, not a preference.
What is the Horizontal Linear Translation Stage 50 mm?
The Horizontal Linear Translation Stage 50 mm (Model No. SC-SYS-1042-A-000-001) is a motorized linear translational stage that converts stepper motor rotation into controlled linear displacement through a precision lead screw and nut assembly. Roller guide ways provide the low-friction, smooth travel path required for high accuracy positioning, while integrated extreme end limit switches protect the stage and payload at both ends of the operating range. An encoder provides position feedback for closed-loop verification of stage displacement. The aluminium alloy construction keeps stage weight to 1.5 kg while supporting load capacities up to 8 kg across the full 50 mm travel range.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Model No. | SC-SYS-1042-A-000-001 |
| Type of Actuator | Motorized Linear Translational Stage |
| Travel Range | 50 mm |
| Degree of Freedom | 1 |
| Straight Line Accuracy | 5 μm |
| Repeatability | 5 μm |
| Resolution | 0.1 mm |
| Maximum Speed | 15 mm/sec |
| Stage Weight | 1.5 kg |
| Load Capacity | Up to 8 kg |
| Drive | Precision Lead Screw |
| Guide Ways | Roller Guides |
| Feedback | Encoder |
| Limit Switches | Extreme End Limit Switch / Sensors |
| Motor | Stepper |
| Material | Aluminium Alloy |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to 50°C |
What 5 μm Actually Means for Precision Positioning
Five microns is one twentieth of a millimetre — thinner than a human hair. At this level of accuracy and repeatability, the Horizontal Linear Translation Stage 50 mm is operating in territory where conventional mechanical positioning methods simply cannot deliver consistent results. In optical systems, a 5 μm positional error can introduce measurable phase deviation in an interferometric setup or shift a spectral peak beyond acceptable measurement tolerance. In sensor calibration, it means the reference position you set is the position you get, repeatedly, without drift or correction cycles between runs. The 5 μm specification on both accuracy and repeatability is not a headline figure — it is the working tolerance within which the stage performs its core function reliably.
Stepper Motor with Micro-Stepping for Smooth, High-Resolution Motion
The stepper motor drive provides inherent position holding without continuous power draw and a deterministic relationship between commanded steps and stage displacement. Micro-stepping subdivides each full motor step into finer increments, producing smoother carriage motion and reducing the micro-vibrations that a full-step drive introduces at low travel speeds. For optical experiments and precision measurement setups, these micro-vibrations would be transmitted directly to the payload — a lens, mirror, detector or sensor — introducing noise and instability into the measurement environment. Micro-stepping addresses this at the drive level, before vibration has any opportunity to reach the payload.
Precision Lead Screw and Roller Guide System
The mechanical heart of this stage is the combination of a precision lead screw and roller guide ways. The lead screw converts each increment of stepper motor rotation into a proportional, predictable linear displacement. Its pitch is ground to tight tolerances to minimise axial play and cumulative pitch error across the 50 mm travel range — the two mechanical variables most responsible for positioning inaccuracy in screw-driven stages. The roller guide ways constrain the moving carriage to a straight, consistent travel path, eliminating the lateral wandering and rotational deviation that degrade straight line accuracy in systems using plain bearing guides. Together these two elements establish the mechanical foundation that makes the 5 μm specification achievable and sustainable across the operating life of the stage.
Encoder Feedback and End-of-Travel Protection
The encoder provides position feedback that allows external control systems to verify actual stage displacement against commanded position, enabling closed-loop correction when system-level accuracy demands it. Extreme end limit switches at both ends of the 50 mm travel range provide hardware-level travel protection, cutting motor drive before the carriage can contact the mechanical hard stops. This protects both the stage mechanics and any payload mounted to the carriage from impact damage during automated motion sequences, high-speed traversal and unattended operation in laboratory and integration environments.
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In defence and aerospace research, horizontal linear translation stages are used for optical component alignment, interferometry, spectrum analysis, sensor calibration and precision optical path length control. They provide the sub-millimetre positional accuracy required for these applications in a compact, motorized platform suited to laboratory and system integration environments at DRDO, ISRO and HAL facilities.
Accuracy is how closely the stage reaches a commanded position relative to the true target. Repeatability is how consistently it returns to that same position across multiple motion cycles. Both are 5 μm on this stage, meaning it positions accurately to within 5 μm of the target and returns to that position within 5 μm across repeated commands — essential for experiments and alignments requiring consistent repositioning without manual recalibration between cycles.
Optical path length control involves precisely adjusting the distance a light beam travels within an optical system, used in interferometry, laser systems and spectroscopy setups. Sub-millimetre deviations in component position introduce phase errors and measurement inaccuracies in these applications. A stage with 5 μm accuracy and 0.1 mm resolution provides the fine positional control needed to maintain optical path length within the tolerances these experiments require.
Micro-stepping subdivides each full motor step into smaller increments, producing smoother carriage motion and reducing mechanical vibration transmitted to the payload at low travel speeds. For precision optical and measurement applications, smoother motion directly improves measurement quality and reduces vibration-induced errors in sensitive payloads like detectors, mirrors and sensors.
The encoder provides position feedback that allows control systems to verify actual stage displacement against the commanded position. This enables closed-loop correction for applications demanding the highest positional accuracy and supports reliable automated operation in unattended laboratory and integration sequences.
Yes. The 50 mm Horizontal Linear Translation Stage is designed for integration into high precision measurement systems, optical test benches and laboratory setups. Its compact aluminium alloy construction, encoder feedback and standardised mounting make it compatible with a range of test configurations in defence research and aerospace integration facilities.
