Corner Micro Operating System

Illustration: TRIO MPC-145-2 equipped with Sutter dPatch® probe (not included)

TRIO™ MPC-145 System
3-Axis / 0-90 Diagonal Micropositioning System

Product Description 
Stainless Steel MP-845 
Specifications 
Pricing 
Technical Information
The MPC-145 system consists of an MPC-100 controller and an MP-845 micromanipulator.
The new MP-845 micromanipulator is constructed based on the lead screw design of the TRIO-245, with the addition of precision crossed roller bearings for tighter tolerances. A 25-pin connector ensures future compatibility with our other controllers. The MP-845, available in aluminum or stainless steel (see the "Stainless Steel MP-845" tab above), is a highly stable three-axis manipulator with 25 mm of travel per axis. The TRIO MPC-100 controller provides the MP-845 with a synthetic fourth axis, which can be set via software to any angle between 0 and 90 degrees for diagonal movement. With its lead screw design, the MP-845 has a smaller overall size and footprint than most manipulators, making it ideal for applications requiring two pipettes in the same setup or for setups with limited space.
The integrated Rotary Optical Encoder (ROE) controller is compact, occupying minimal bench space; it operates quietly with no fan; and is easy to use. No rack mounting is required for the controller. Position coordinates (relative or absolute) are displayed directly on the ROE. The TRIO MPC-100 uses a logarithmic acceleration algorithm, eliminating the need to select speeds. The faster the knob on the ROE is turned, the greater the acceleration. This allows for smoother and more intuitive control of electrode positioning without the need to stop and change speeds or remove hands from the controller. When the motor is stationary, it is turned off, reducing electrical noise in the system to immeasurable levels, keeping the motor cool, and eliminating thermal drift.
Five conveniently placed buttons control all the functions needed for normal operation. Hold the [WORK] button to quickly store a work position; pressing the [WORK] button later returns the arm to that position. The [HOME] button moves the arm to a second position, typically set to the point farthest from the microscope for quick pipette changes. Press the [SPEED] button to select from 4 speed ranges. With practice, you may not need to change speeds, but we provide three low-speed ranges for users requiring very high magnification operation. Hold the [SPEED] button for three seconds to lock the knob to prevent accidental movement. Press the [RELATIVE] button to toggle between relative and absolute coordinates; hold the button to zero the relative coordinates. Finally, the [PULSE] button activates pulse movement mode, producing small, rapid bursts of motion that are beneficial for cell penetration with sharp electrodes. Hold [PULSE] for three seconds to set or modify the fourth axis angle between 0 and 90 degrees.
The controller is designed with flexibility in mind, featuring DIP switches that allow the user to change the direction of movement generated by turning the ROE knob according to their preference. Additionally, a Y-axis lock (controllable via DIP switch) allows for X/Z-only movement during HOME and WORK repositioning. TRIO comes standard with a universal mounting system for the most commonly used probe or pipette holders.
Features: TRIO MPC-100 controller controls one or two manipulators
Sub-micron (less than 100 nm) resolution
User-selectable angle from 0 - 90 degrees via ROE input
Fast movement, up to 3 mm/s (when homing)
Compact, fanless, user-friendly ROE controller saves bench and rack space
Button control for multiple functions—Work, Home, Lock, Pulse, and Relative
DIP switches on ROE select the direction of movement generated by turning the ROE knob
USB interface for computer control
Features: MP-845 mechanics now available in thermally stable stainless steel (see tab above)
Mechanically robust construction with high stability
Precision crossed roller bearings
Three independent axes—X, Y, and Z with orthogonal travel of 25 mm
Capable of carrying one kilogram
Suitable for in vitro and in vivo electrophysiological recording
Universal mounting system for probe or pipette holders