A Step-by-Step Guide to 3D Print Motorized Rotation Mounts for Optical Applications

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how to build cost-effective, 3D printed motorized rotation mounts for optical applications, achieving performance comparable to expensive commercial systems and enabling automation in optical setups.

Contribution

It introduces two types of 3D printed motorized rotation mounts for 1" optics, providing a low-cost alternative with comparable performance to commercial systems.

Findings

Performance similar to €2000 systems in velocity, resolution, and accuracy.

Cost less than €200 to build with quick assembly.

Achieves laser intensity control with 0.03% resolution.

Abstract

Motorized rotation mounts and stages are versatile instruments that introduce computer control to optical systems, enabling automation and scanning actions. They can be used for intensity control and position adjustments, etc. However, these rotation mounts come with a hefty price tag, and this limits their use. This work shows how to build two different types of motorized rotation mounts for 1" optics, using a 3D printer and off-the-shelf components. The first is intended for reflective elements, like mirrors and gratings, and the second for transmissive elements, like polarizers and retarders. We evaluate and compare their performance to commercial systems based on velocity, resolution, accuracy, backlash, and axis wobble. Also, we investigate the angular stability using Allan variance analysis. The results show that our mounts perform similar to systems costing more than 2000 Euro, while also being quick to build and costing less than 200 Euro. As a proof of concept, we show how to control lasers used in an optical tweezers and Raman spectroscopy setup. When used for this, the 3D printed motorized rotational mounts provide intensity control with a resolution of $0.03$ percentage points or better.