Motorized Filter Wheel Chapter 3: Description
Rev H, October 2, 2014 Page 5
Chapter 3 Description
The FW102C, FW102CNEB, FW212C, and FW212CNEB are high-precision, motor-driven filter wheels used for a
host of applications, including color CCD photography, fluorescence microscopy, and photometry. The
FW102CNEB and FW212CNEB are the same as the FW102C and FW212C, respectively, with preloaded filters.
(See which filters on page 7)
All units consists of a control unit, filter wheel housing, and a removable Ø4" filter wheel. The FW102C Filter
Wheel accommodates up to six Ø1" optical filters, while the FW212C can accommodate up to twelve Ø1/2"
optical filters. Note: The FW102CNEB and FW2121CNEB Filters Wheels come with preloaded filters.
Filter selection can be made manually from the push button controls on the display panel or remotely from a USB
2.0 interface, a serial port, or a TTL level active low (BNC) input. Both filter wheels contain an active display to
indicate the selected filter: two separate aperture openings exist, the first opening at the top of unit 12 o’clock
position or 0° and the second opening at the 7 o’clock position or 210° degrees. (see drawing on page 14)
All units are designed to ensure an accuracy of greater than ±1°. The FW102C filter wheel housing easily mounts
to our Ø1” lens tube systems and optical instruments via two SM1 (1.035"-40) threaded mounts. The FW212C
housing includes four SM1A6FW SM1 to SM05 (0.535”-40) adapters for mounting our Ø1/2” lense tube systems.
Other adapters are available to interface to other popular camera, microscope, and telescope thread sizes. All
units are also compatible with Thorlabs’ 30 mm cage systems; each port has the required four 4-40 tapped holes
to mount the cage rods. They also also feature #8 and M6 tapped holes for mounting to steel posts. Two 1/4"-20
and M6 tapped holes allow the filter wheel to be mounted to a plate (See Drawing on Page 7). The flexible
mounting system makes these filter wheels ideal for both instrument and laboratory applications.
All units come with a CD-ROM that contains a Windows
TM
-based, standalone application program. In addition, an
OCX is provided to allow easy integrated instrumentation software development. Sample code is provided for
LabVIEW
TM
and C++ code development. The filter wheels can also be controlled via a set of command line
prompts using terminal server software, allowing users to create scripts in their own programs. The unit is
powered via a 12 VDC input (converter supplied with unit).
Features
3.1.
• Automated Computer Control Capability (Application Software Provided)
• Wheel Size: Ø4”
• Filter Wheel Options:
o FW102C: 6-Position for ∅1” Filters
o FW102CNEB: 6-Position with Preloaded ∅1” filters (See Page 8 for Included Filters)
o FW212C: 12-Position for ∅1/2” Filters
o FW212CNEB: 12-Position with Preloaded ∅1/2” Filters (See Page 8 for Included Filters)
• External Trigger In (Increment Control)
• External Trigger Out (Provisioned from Software)
• Bidirectional Controls
• Selectable Aperture Openings at 0° (12 o’clock position) and 210° (7 o’clock position)
• Dimmable Display
New Design
3.2.
The FW102C and FW212C lines feature a new, more robust design compared to the older FW102B. The filter
wheel is turned using a powerful and reliable stepper motor and worm gear. This design will provide millions of
wheel changes over its life time.
ATTENTION
Due to play in the gears, some noise can be heard during operation and when moving or shaking
the device. There are virtually no small parts that can come loose inside the device. This noise is
normal and not indicative of a problem.
!
!
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