Micromanipulator

Used in complex experiments in conjunction with our other micromanipulators, or as a stand alone unit in a teaching environment, the MM-33 is available separately for those wishing a small, practical instrument in applications not requiring submicron accuracy.

The MM-33 is the right choice for

Used in complex experiments in conjunction with our other micromanipulators, or as a stand alone unit in a teaching environment, the MM-33 is available separately for those wishing a small, practical instrument in applications not requiring submicron accuracy.

The MM-33 is the right choice for tight environments which require maximum versatility within a small space. The optional rotating base and tiltable X-axis provide even further flexibility.

Stainless steel cross-loaded roller bearings are designed to offer low friction and smooth linear motion with a minimum of side play. The pre-loaded rollers are set at 90 degrees to the hardened steel guides ensuring constant contact and accuracy. This precise rack and pinion drive gives stable, drift free movement with minimal backlash. The controls are placed one above the other which makes for less hand movement and easier positioning. The scales for all axes are calibrated in 0.10mm increments and the fine micrometer adjustment for the X-axis thrust is calibrated at 0.01mm with estimates to 5µm.

The optional rotating base extends the utility of the MM-33 by providing two additional rotating planes. The rotation in the horizontal plane (approximately 120 degrees) has a positive stop, quick release mechanism for fast insertion and removal of pipettes. The second rotating axis allows the MM-33 to be tilted in a vertical plane from 0 to 70 degrees.

The optional tiltable X-axis allows the fine axis to be tilted up to 45 degrees. An optional vertical lock is also available for locking the position of the vertical axis. These options should be ordered at the time of purchase since the modifications are factory installed.

Individual excursions are as follows:
X-axis coarse movement: 37mm
X-axis fine movement: 10mm
Y-axis horizontal movement: 20mm
Z-axis vertical movement: 20mm

Features: MM-33
Compact design allows use in tight environments.
Cross-loaded roller bearings for smooth, low friction movement.
Rack and pinion drive gives stable movement with minimal backlash.

Options: MM-33A
Rotating base allows horizontal rotation and vertical tilting.
Rotating base allows horizontal rotation and vertical tilting.
Vertical axis lock.

The flagship in our line of precision micromanipulators, the motorized MP-285 is affordable yet offers advanced features found in manipulators costing thousands more. Custom engineered stepping motors, precision cross-roller bearing slides and proprietary worm gear capstan drives form the basis of

The flagship in our line of precision micromanipulators, the motorized MP-285 is affordable yet offers advanced features found in manipulators costing thousands more. Custom engineered stepping motors, precision cross-roller bearing slides and proprietary worm gear capstan drives form the basis of the watch-like mechanical system. The controller provides power to the stage motors with a quiet linear power supply to minimize electrical noise radiation in your setup. Pipette holders and headstages are securely mounted to the MP-285 with one of our several unique and rigid mounting systems.

The MP-285 was designed to meet a wide variety of positioning needs for the scientific community, and is suitable for patch clamp experiments, extracellular recording, microinjection, intra-cellular recording and precision robotic positioning applications. An outstanding feature of this system is the unique definable 4th axis for diagonal advancement of the pipette. You select the angle, then activate the 4th axis. As with the other three axes, you may move with adjustable coarse or ultrafine resolution, select the movement speed, and move continuously or in single step increments. To quickly reposition the pipette, simply select the Home function. Axes positions are continuously shown in relative and absolute scales, and are easily readable on the vacuum fluorescent display.

The extremely low backlash of the MP-285 removes traditional drawbacks of “open loop” technology and eliminates drift. This allows submicron resolution down to 0.2 microns in the coarse range and down to 40 nano-meters in the fine range. With over 1 inch of motorized travel on all three axes, and a user designated 4th axis, the MP-285 allows tremendous range of motion while maximizing resolution.

Available with a table-top or rack mounted controller, our manipulator fits in seamlessly with your other components while the compact design and assignable axes of the MP-285 allows you to easily integrate it into your setup at any orientation. To add to its practicality, your choice of one of two manual controls: joystick or rotary optical encoder (ROE), assures a comfortable experimentation environment, customized to the scientist.

For users who require repeatable motion sequences, the MP-285 features easily programmed robotic control from the keypad, or via a remote computer. The system can store up to 500 position instructions, including pauses, and will execute the instruction set once, continuously, or in reverse.

As always, our technical support team is available to address your concerns and answer all questions before, and after your purchase.

Choose one of two Input Device Options

1) Rotary Optical Encoder (ROE). Turning one of three 2-inch knobs produces a movement along one axis proportional to the amount and speed of the turn. Buttons allow the activation of “4th axis”, change of movement resolution, “home” return function, and toggle between continuous pulse movements.

2) Joystick. Our joystick is a modified three-axis game controller. The degree of handle deflection determines the velocity of movement of each axis. In pulse mode, a button commands the manipulator to take a single step in the axis selected by joystick deflection.

Features: MP-285

• Highly stable for experiments intolerant of pipette drift.
• Submicron resolution and integrated coarse positioning.
• 1 inch of motorized travel on all three axes.
• 4th axis with user-selected angle for axial drive.
• Adjustable speed and resolution allows optimization for your experimental setup.
• Programmable robotics for complex motion sequences.
• Continuous display (in microns) of axes positions.
• Switch between continuous or single step movement.
• Absolute and relative origins.
• Convenient Home function allows pipettes to be quickly repositioned.
• Assignable axes permit any orientation of the manipulator.
• Easy to read vacuum fluorescent display.
• Remote computer control via serial interface.
• Compact design easily adaptable to your setup.
• Optional mounting adapters (see price list).

• Now available in thermally stable stainless steel
• Three independent axes - 25mm orthogonal travel in X, Y and Z
• Sub-micron (less than 100nm) resolution
• User selectable angle from 0 - 90 degrees via ROE input
• Fast movement with a top speed of 3mm/sec (while homing)
• Mechanically robust construction for high stability
• Compact, fanless, user-friendly ROE controller preserves bench and rack space
• Carries up to a kilogram
• Push button control of multiple functions - WORK, HOME, LOCK, PULSE and RELATIVE
• Suited for in vivo and in vitro electrophysiological recording
• Universal mounting system for headstage or pipette holder
• DIP switches on ROE select direction of movement produced by turn of ROE knob
• USB interface for computer control