National Aperture - MC-4B - MicroMini™ Micropositioning Controller

The National Aperture MC-4B is a closed-loop micropositioning controller designed to provide precise position control of light-load motorized positioners, particularly the MicroMini™ Stages from National Aperture, Inc. This controller is ideal for applications requiring accurate and repeatable positioning, such as microscopy, photonics, and semiconductor inspection.  

Key Features:

• Closed-Loop Control: Utilizes feedback from quadrature incremental encoders to maintain precise motor position and velocity over a wide range of speeds. 

• Compatibility: Controls any 6–12 V DC brush-type motor equipped with a quadrature incremental encoder, making it versatile for various micropositioning applications. 

• User-Friendly Interface: Features a 2-line, 16-column alphanumeric LCD and a keypad for intuitive operation and configuration. 

• Programmable Parameters: Allows customization of operational settings, including jog rates, acceleration, and PID coefficients, to tailor performance to specific applications. 

• Memory Functions: Supports storage of up to 100 trajectories for automated or stepwise playback, facilitating complex motion sequences. 

Technical Specifications:

• Motor Voltage Compatibility: 6–12 V DC brush-type motors.

• Encoder Compatibility: Quadrature incremental encoders with a default of 40 counts per motor revolution. 

• Speed Range: Dual, independently adjustable speeds ranging from 1 to 13,333 counts per second. 

• Display: 2-line, 16-column alphanumeric LCD. 

• Control Processor: National Semiconductor LM628 motion control coprocessor. 

• Microcontroller: 8051-family microcontroller with nonvolatile SRAM for data storage.