PatchStar
Micromanipulator
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Packing list
The Scientifica PatchStar is a piece of scientific equipment and as such requires
care when handling. If the outside of the shipping packaging is damaged, notify
your shipping department immediately. The shipping department may wish to
notify the carrier at this point.
If the shipping carton is not damaged, carefully remove and identify all of the
components as listed below.
The PatchStar system includes:
• PatchStar Micromanipulator
• Ultra Low Noise Controller rack
• Axis Control Cube
• Joystick Module (optional)
• Operating Manual
• PatchStar 25 Way to 25 Way Cable
• PatchStar breakout box
• Mains Cable
• Mounting screw Kit
• Configuration software
• RS232 cable
If any of these items are missing, contact, Scientifica Ltd. Please retain the
packaging for future storage or transportation of the system.
System Components:
PatchStar Micromanipulator
The Scientifica PatchStar is a highly stable positioning system designed for ultra
precise positioning of electrodes. The micromanipulator utilizes high precision
stepper motors and anti-backlash lead screws to achieve ultimate control. The
stage provides 20mm travel in X Y and Z axis.
Ultra-low noise controller rack
The Ultra-low noise controller rack provides a sophisticated means of driving the
Scientifica range of stepper motor actuated products. This can be driven via any
of the Scientifica Ltd user interfaces or directly from a pc.
Axis Control Cube (ACCi)
The ACC provides a convenient method of controlling the position of the
manipulator.
Optional Joystick Module
The joystick provides an alternative method of positioning the manipulator.
Special function buttons provide programmable position setting.
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Setting Up
Right Handed or Left handed configuration
The manipulator can be set up for use in either a left handed or right handed
configuration. This allows the user to mount the manipulator on either side of the
experiment and maintain the operation of the virtual approach axis as well as
providing easy access to the manual adjusters. In the left handed set up the
dovetail headstage slide projects to the right and the rotary stage and linear
stage knobs are conveniently positioned away from the microscope. The right
handed set up essentially mirrors the left handed one.
Left Handed configuration Right Handed configuration
The Patchstar is designed in a modular fashion in order to make the manipulator
as flexible as possible. This ensures that changing the configuration from left to
right handed is very simple: Firstly loosen the x stage dovetail screws as shown
using a 3mm allen key. Then slide the upper part of the manipulator off the Y axis.
Now remove the Z stage and bracket from the x axis stage. Turn the x axis stage
through 180º so that the manual adjustment knob and cable are positioned on
the right side of the assembly and re-tighten the dovetail screws.
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Now slide the X / Z assembly back onto the Y axis. The vertical rotation stage
locking knob can be located into the left hand side position.
Finally, the head stage slide can be set to project on the left side of the
manipulator. This is achieved by loosening the two button headed screws using a
2mm allen key and sliding the dovetail to the required position.
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Mounting the PatchStar
The PatchStar is designed to mount to either a metric or inch spaced location
using M6 or ¼”-20 socket head cap screws. The rotation base is used to secure the
manipulator to the users table or platform. To do this; first remove the manipulator
assembly from the rotary base by loosening the two dovetail locking screws using
a 3mm allen key and sliding the assembly off the base.
Ensure that the 2 set screws that fix the rotary stop ring are loose thus enabling the
upper plate to rotate 360º. There are 4 mounting holes in the lower plate of the
base that are accessed by rotating the upper plate relative to the lower plate.
Insert two M6 or ¼”-20 socket head cap screws in two of the holes. Now position
the rotation plate in the desired location and tighten the two screws.
Next, rotate the upper plate to reveal the other two mounting holes and insert
and tighten two more screws.
Slide the manipulator assembly back onto the rotation base and tighten the 2
dovetail locking screws.
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Setting the rotation stages
Each PatchStar manipulator includes two rotation stages which have user
settable stops. The rotary base has two magnetic stops which allow the user to
rotate the manipulator away from the experiment and then return to the original
position without having to undo any locking mechanism or use any tools. The
vertical rotary stage uses mechanical stops and a locking screw to allow the user
to rotate vertically. In addition, the vertical rotary stage incorporates a sensor that
measured the angle that the front plate is set to. The manipulator controller
automatically reads this angle and uses it to drive the manipulator in the virtual
fourth axis.
To set the stops for the rotary base; first ensure that the 2 set screws that fix the
rotary stop ring are loose thus enabling the manipulator to rotate 360º relative to
the base plate.
Rotate the manipulator until one of the magnetic stops engages with its mating
part. Rotate the manipulator (with the stop engaged) to the required orientation.
Now tighten the 2 set screws using a 1.5mm allen key to secure the rotary stop
ring. Ensure that the manipulator can be rotated in the direction and return as
required.
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To set the stops for the vertical rotation stage; first ensure that the 2 set screws that
fix the rotary stop ring are loose and that the thumb screw lock is loose thus
enabling the front plate to rotate 360º.
Rotate the front plate 1 full rotation (this has the effect of pushing the stop around
with it). Once past one full revolution, continue rotating until the desired angle is
reached. Now tighten at least one of the set screws to fix the rotational stop.
Attaching the headstage
The dovetail slide assembly is mounted to the front of the vertical rotation plate.
This can be mounted using any pair of the mounting holes on the vertical rotation
plate to suit the application. The sliding carriage is locked in the required position
on the dovetail slide using the thumb screw. The sliding carriage is designed to
accommodate a range of dovetail based headstages including the Axon. The
dovetail headstages are secured by tightening the dovetail clamp using a 3mm
allen key. In addition there are two M3 mounting holes on the underside of the
sliding carriage that can be used to attach a sub-mounting plate to attach a
wider range of headstages.
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Connecting the cables
Caution:
Never plug or unplug either end of the stage cable or joystick module to a rack
controller with the power switched on.
Connect the manipulator RJ45 connectors to the PatchStar breakout box aligning
the colour of the connector boots with the reference dots on the breakout box.
Connect the 25 way parallel cable to the other side of the breakout box and
connect the remaining end to the 1U rack.
Connect the ACC (Axis Control Cube) or joystick module to the 1U rack.
Connect the power cord to the rack and mains power outlet.
Turn the instrument on using the power switch located on the front panel, the
Scientifica logo should now be illuminated.
The manipulator can now be driven by rotating the wheels on the ACC or
deflecting the joystick. To drive at a fast speed switch the upper toggle switch on
the ACC or if using a joystick; deflect the joystick whilst depressing the “Turbo”
button on the top of the joystick.
Should your instrument fail this initial check, please contact Scientifica Ltd for
further instructions.
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Driving the Manipulator
The Manipulator can be controlled by 3 methods; most commonly by using the
ACC (Axis Control Cube), a Joystick or by computer control.
ACC Control
A manipulator axis is moved be rotating a wheel on the ACC; the blue wheel
moves the left and right axis (X), green moves front and back (Y) and red the
vertical axis (Z). The manipulators can be driven in two speed ranges fast for
course positioning or slow speed for fine control. The speed range is selected
using the toggle switch on the top of the ACC.
Virtual approach axis
The PatchStar has the ability to be driven in a virtual 4th “approach” axis as
opposed to 3 orthogonal axes. This is used to approach the sample on the axis of
the pipette. There is a rotary sensor embedded in the vertical rotary stage. When
the rotation plate is moved, the angle of the plate is measured. When the
approach axis is activated the X wheel will now drive the Z and X axis stages
proportionally so that they precisely follow the angle of the front rotation plate.
The approach axis is activated using the toggle switch on the top left corner of
the ACC I turns compound approach on and O turns it off.
Step
Momentarily pressing the Step button causes the manipulator to advance by the
amount set in the “Set Step Size After Home In” setting within the LinLab software.
If Approach is set to (I) the step will be made in the compound axis, otherwise the
step will be in Z only. This value can be set from ±1µm to 10mm in 1µm steps.
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M+
Momentarily depressing the M+ button will store the current position of the
manipulator as a memory position. Moving the manipulator and pressing M+
again will store another position etc. Up to 25 memory positions can be stored.
MR
Momentarily depressing the MR button will recall the first memory position. If more
than one position is stored, repeated button presses allow you to cycle through all
of the memory positions.
Clearing Memory Positions
In order to clear stored memory positions, simultaneously depress the M+ and the
MR.
Home In
Home In can work in two different modes. As standard the system is shipped in
Mode1. If you wish to change to Mode 2; move to the desired Home In position
and hold down the Home In button for 3 seconds. To switch back to Mode 1;
simultaneously hold down the Home In and Home Out buttons for 3 seconds.
Mode 1 (Standard Mode)
Home In becomes active only after the manipulator has been Homed Out. From
the Home Out position, pressing the Home In button will cause the manipulator to
return its original position prior to Home Out, minus any safety offset that has been
set in the Set Home In Offset setting within the LinLab software.
Mode 2
This allows the user to set a specific position as the Home In point. Move the
manipulator to the desired Home In position, and then depress the Home In
button and hold down for 3 seconds. This stores the current position as the Home
In point. No home in offsets will be applied using this mode.
Home Out
Press and hold down this button for approx. 3 seconds to store the current
manipulator position as the home out location. This will be permanently stored
until an alternative Home Out position is stored. Momentary pressing of this button
will cause the manipulator to drive out to the stored Home Out position.
Joystick Control
If using a joystick to control the manipulators, deflect the joystick in the direction
of travel required. The joysticks used are proportional, so the speed varies with the
amount of deflection applied. Left and right motion is achieved by deflecting the
joystick to the left or right, back and forth, by deflecting the joystick backwards or
forwards and vertical motion is achieved by rotating the knurled top of the
joystick. If you wish to move at high speed; press the Turbo button on top of the
joystick whilst deflecting the joystick. As soon as the button is released; the motion
will revert to fine control.
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Memory and Step
The MEMORY key stores the current position of the stage. Pressing the STEP key
changes the position of the stage to the stored memory points in a cyclic fashion.
Therefore, if three different memory points were stored: A, B, and C using the
MEMORY key, pressing STEP would drive the stage to position A, the next press of
the step key would drive the stage to B, the next to C, and then the next would
go back to A etc.
Troubleshooting
Manipulator Instability
The following is a list of the most common issues liable to cause positional
instability:
1. Pipette glass – is it the right size for the pipette holder?
2. Pipette holder – have any of the rings been changed recently? Do the
rings fit snugly with the pipette glass?
3. Is the cooling headstage switched off (you should allow half an hour after
switching off before re-testing stability)
4. Ensure that any wires are not straining the manipulator? Sometimes a wire
can become snagged which puts a tension onto the manipulator or
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headstage and causes movement. There should be a soft loop on any
wires from the manipulator, ideally anchored to a point close to the
manipulator mount ie: the post from a post and platform.
5. Are the rotation locks tightened when in place – they should be lightly
tightened. It is not necessary to do them up with a lot of force – this could
be counter productive.
6. Rotary base – when locked in place the rotary base magnetic lock should
feel firm, Any movement or slop in this could cause undesired movement.
7. Air conditioning – Is there an air conditioning vent close to the set up? The
motion of air and frequent changes in temperature can cause thermal
issues.
8. Have there been any other changes to the rig recently?
General Specifications
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Number of axis 3 with virtual 4
axis
Travel 20 mm
Step size <50nm
Speed (minimum) 4µm per second
(maximum) 4 mm per second
Mechanical Resolution <1µm
Load Capacity >0.2Kg
Temperature range Operation 15 to +40ºC
Storage 0 to +60ºC
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