Motorized Filter Wheels, Stepper Motor Driven
- 6- and 12-Position Filter Wheel Options
- Remote or Manual Operation
- Programmable Filter Sequences
- Interchangeable Filter Wheels
FW102C
6-Position Filter Wheel System
for Ø1" Optics
FW212CWNEB
Additional 12-Position Filter Wheel for Ø1/2" Optics
(Also Available Without ND Filters)
FW102CWNEB
Additional 6-Position Filter Wheel
for Ø1" Optics (Also Available
Without ND Filters)
OVERVIEW
Click to Enlarge
The filter wheel housing contains top-located push buttons for manual filter selection as well as a USB interface, BNC input/output, and an RS-232 connection for remote operation. It is also compatible with our 30 mm cage systems.
| Motorized Filter Wheel Selection Guide | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Item # | # of Slots | Filter Size | Preloaded ND Filters | Features |
| FW212C | 12 | Ø1/2" (Ø12.5 mm) | No | BNC, RS-232 and USB Interfaces Integrated Controller |
| FW212CNEB | 12 | Ø1/2" (Ø12.5 mm) | Yes | |
| FW102C | 6 | Ø1" (Ø25 mm) | No | |
| FW102CNEB | 6 | Ø1" (Ø25 mm) | Yes | |
| FW103(/M) | 6 | Ø1" (Ø25 mm) | No | 55 - 60 ms Switching Time |
To switch out filter wheels, simply remove the housing cover and place in the new wheel. Replace the cover and, if necessary, hold the top-located arrow buttons to open the mode select menu and change the filter setting from a 6-position wheel to a 12-position wheel or vice versa. Hold the buttons down again to resume normal operation with the new wheel.
Features
- Motorized Housing Contains 6- or 12-Position Filter Wheel
- 6-Position Wheels Accept Ø1" (Ø25 mm) Filters up to 0.25" (6.35 mm) Thick
- 12-Position Wheels Accept Ø1/2" (Ø12.5 mm) Filters up to 0.25" (6.35 mm) Thick
- Locally or Remotely Controllable via BNC, RS-232, or USB Interface
- Spare Wheels Available With or Without Preloaded Absorptive Neutral Density (ND) Filters
- SM1-Threaded (1.035"-40) Access Ports
- Compatible with 30 mm Cage Systems (See Photo to the Right)
- One 8-32, One M4, Two 1/4"-20, and Two M6 Taps for Post Mounting
These stepper-motor-driven filter wheels are designed for use in a host of automated applications including color CCD photography, fluorescence microscopy, and photometry. Each unit consists of a motorized housing and a preinstalled filter wheel with either 6 positions for Ø1" (Ø25 mm) optics or 12 positions for Ø1/2" (Ø12.5 mm) optics. Filter wheels of either type can also be purchased separately and installed by the user.
The housing contains two ports equipped with internal SM1 (1.035"-40) threading on both sides to accommodate our Ø1" lens tubes; each port is also surrounded by four 4-40 tapped holes on both sides for compatibility with our 30 mm cage systems, as shown in the image to the right. The 12-position motorized filter wheels for Ø1/2" optics (Item #'s FW212C and FW212CNEB) also come with four SM1A6FW adapters for converting the two SM1-threaded ports to an internal SM05 (0.535"-40) thread.
Interchangeable Filter Wheels
Additional 6- or 12-position filter wheels are available below with or without preloaded absorptive, uncoated ND filters. The motorized housings are compatible with both types of wheels. Refer to the animation below to see how to switch between the different filter wheel options.
Manual or Remote Operation
The filter position can be manually selected using the push button arrows on the top of the unit or remotely selected using the USB 2.0 interface, BNC input, or RS-232 connection (please see chapter five of the manual). The BNC input rotates the filter wheel when a TTL-level signal is applied. This BNC connection can also be configured as an output trigger in the software. An easy-to-read display indicates the filter selection. The display intensity can be adjusted, making this filter wheel appropriate for light-sensitive environments.
Automation of filter sequences is available through the USB 2.0 or RS-232 interfaces along with a simple-to-use GUI application program. A simple command language facilitates the filter selections and the retrieval of filter status. For driver software, as well as an SDK manual and sample code for LabVIEW™ and Visual C++, please see the Software tab. Older versions of the motorized housing sold before April 23, 2014 may require a firmware update, which is also available for download from the Software tab.
Mounting Options
As described above, each filter wheel port is internally SM1 threaded, allowing for easy connection to externally SM1-threaded optomechanics. Four 4-40 taps are also centered around each port, making the filter wheel compatible with our 30 mm cage systems. Thorlabs offers an extensive selection of adapters for mating our SM1-compatible components to other threads, such as C-mount, microscope, and telescope standards. The bottom of the housing features one 8-32 tap, one M4 tap, two 1/4"-20 taps, and two M6 taps, creating a multitude of options for mounting the filter wheel housing to a Ø1/2" or Ø1" post.
| Key Specificationsa | ||
|---|---|---|
| Item # | FW102C FW102CNEB |
FW212C FW212CNEB |
| Filter Diameters Accommodated | 1" (25 mm) | 1/2" (12.5 mm) |
| Filter Thicknesses Accommodated | ≤0.25" (6.35 mm) | |
| Access Time for Adjacent Locations (Typical) | <1 s | <0.5 s |
| Clear Apertures | 0.90" (22.9 mm) | 0.40" (10.2 mm) |
| Accuracy/Repeatability | ±2° | |
SPECS
| Performance Specifications | ||
|---|---|---|
| Item # | FW102C(NEB) | FW212C(NEB) |
| Access Time (Adjacent Locations) | <1 s (Typical) | <0.5 s (Typical) |
| Access Time (Other Locations) | 2.5 s (Typical) | |
| Accuracy / Repeatability | ±2° (Typical) | |
| Expected Cycles | 1.5 x 106 (Min) | |
| Physical Specifications | ||
|---|---|---|
| Item # | FW102C(NEB) | FW212C(NEB) |
| Number of Filter Slots | 6 | 12 |
| Compatible Filter Diameter | 1" | 1/2" |
| Compatible Filter Thickness | ≤0.25" (6.35 mm) | |
| Clear Aperture | 0.90" (22.9 mm) | 0.40" (10.2 mm) |
| Trigger Jack | BNC Female | |
| Power Jack | Male 2.1 mm | |
| USB Connector | Mini B | |
| Mounting | 1/4"-20 (2 Places), 8-32, M6 (2 Places), M4, SM1 (1.035"-40) Threading (2 Places) |
|
| Filter Diameter | 1" (25.4 mm) | |
| Max Planar Filter Width | 0.25" (6.35 mm) | |
| Operating Temperature Range | 0 to 60 °C | |
| Dimensionsa | 5.44" x 1.85" x 4.39" (138 mm x 47 mm x 112 mm) |
|
| Weight (Not Including Power Supply) | 1.65 lbs (0.75 kg) | |
- Detailed dimensions are available by clicking the red Docs icon (
) below.
| Electrical Specificationsa | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Parameter | Min | Typical | Max |
| BNC Input Triggerb - Max Rate | - | - | 0.5 pulses/sec |
| BNC Input Triggerb - Minimum Pulse Width | 1.0 ms | - | - |
| BNC Input Triggerb - Input High | 3.3 V | 4.5 V | 5.3 V |
| BNC Input Triggerb - Input Low | -0.3 V | 0.0 V | 1.0 V |
| BNC Output Trigger - Output Pulse Width | 9.0 ms | 10.0 ms | 11.0 ms |
| BNC Output Trigger - Output Highc | 2.5 V (1 kΩ) |
3.3 V (1.95 kΩ) |
5.0 V (Hi Z) |
| BNC Output Trigger - Output Lowc | 0.0 V | 0.0 V | 1.0 V |
| Power (DC Input, 1 A) | 11.4 VDC | 12 VDC | 12.6 VDC |
PIN DIAGRAMS
Computer Control Connections
D-Sub Female
USB 2.0 Mini-B
6' (1.83 m) Long Type A to Mini-B Cable Included
BNC Input*/Output Trigger
*5.3 V Max Input
| Pin | Connection | Pin | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | N.C. | 6 | N.C. |
| 2 | TR2 (From Housing) | 7 | Connected to Pin 8 |
| 3 | RX2 (To Housing) | 8 | Connected to Pin 7 |
| 4 | N.C. | 9 | N.C. |
| 5 | Signal Ground |
SOFTWARE
Software for the Motorized Filter Wheel Family
Below are links to the latest versions of the software and firmware for the FW102C Series and FW212C Series Motorized Filter Wheels. The software download page also offers an SDK manual and sample code for interfacing with the FWxx2C filter wheels using LabVIEW™ and Visual C++. Please see the Programming Reference tab on the software download page for more information and download links.
Software
Version 5.0.0 (January 20, 2021)
This package installs the filter wheel software and GUI. The software is compatible with Windows 7 (32-bit and 64-bit) and Windows 10 (32-bit and 64-bit)
OR
Firmware Update
Version 1.07 (May 4, 2015)
Click on the link below to download the latest version of the firmware.
To perform this update, the Motorized Filter Wheels must be connected to the USB port on a PC.
6-Position Motorized Filter Wheels for Ø1" (Ø25 mm) Optics
Click to Enlarge
The 6-position filter wheel is also available with preloaded ND filters (FW102CNEB). See the table to the left for included filters.
| Preloaded Filter Wheel (Item # FW102CNEB) |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Filter ODa | Position | Filter ODa |
| 1 | Empty | 4 | 2.0 |
| 2 | 0.5 | 5 | 3.0 |
| 3 | 1.0 | 6 | 4.0 |
- 6-Position Motorized Wheel for Ø1" (Ø25 mm) Optics
- Maximum Optic Thickness Accepted: 0.25" (6.35 mm)
- Available With (Item # FW102CNEB) or Without (Item # FW102C) Preloaded Absorptive ND Filters
- Includes Two SM1CP2 SM1-Threaded End Caps and Six SM1RR Retaining Rings
- Filter Wheels are Interchangeable
The FW102C and FW102CNEB 6-Position Motorized Filter Wheels are designed for Ø1" (Ø25 mm) optics and are sold without filters or preloaded with neutral density (ND) filters, respectively. Please see the table to the right for the included uncoated absorptive ND filters.
Each motorized filter wheel contains two internally SM1-threaded apertures, labeled A for the 210° position and B for the 0° position. The A/B switch allows one of the labeled ports to be designated as the primary port, and the filter wheel will rotate with respect to the primary port chosen. Filters can be manually selected using the push button on top of the unit or automated using the provided software. The current position of the filter wheel with respect to the selected port is shown on the display window. The brightness of this display can be adjusted with a small screwdriver at the hole labeled DIM, making this filter wheel appropriate for use in light sensitive applications.
The filter wheel included with each unit is fully interchangeable (see the animation in the Overview tab) by removing the front cover of the housing. A selection of 6- and 12-position filter wheels, with and without preloaded ND filters, is available below.
Two SM1CP2 SM1-threaded end caps and six SM1RR Retaining Rings are provided with the filter wheel; additional quantities can be purchased separately. A region-specific power cord is selected at the time of purchase.
Part Number | Description | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
FW102C | Six-Position Motorized Filter Wheel for Ø1" (Ø25 mm) Optics | $1,330.47 | 3 weeks |
FW102CNEB | Six-Position Motorized Filter Wheel for Ø1" (Ø25 mm) Optics with Preloaded ND Filters | $1,476.60 | 3 weeks |
12-Position Motorized Filter Wheels for Ø1/2" (Ø12.5 mm) Optics
Click to Enlarge
The 12-position filter wheel is also available with preloaded ND filters (FW212CNEB). See the table to the left for included filters.
| Preloaded Filter Wheels (Item # FW212CNEB) |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Filter ODa | Position | Filter ODa |
| 1 | Empty | 7 | 0.6 |
| 2 | 0.1 | 8 | 1.0 |
| 3 | 0.2 | 9 | 1.3 |
| 4 | 0.3 | 10 | 2.0 |
| 5 | 0.4 | 11 | 3.0 |
| 6 | 0.5 | 12 | 4.0 |
- 12-Position Motorized Wheel for Ø1/2" (Ø12.5 mm) Optics
- Maximum Optic Thickness Accepted: 0.25" (6.35 mm)
- Available With (Item # FW212CNEB) or Without (Item # FW212C) Preloaded Absorptive ND Filters
- Four SM1A6FW SM1-to-SM05 Adapters, Two SM05CP2 SM05-Threaded End Caps, and Twelve SM05RR Retaining Rings are Included
- Filter Wheels are Interchangeable
The FW212C and FW212CNEB 12-Position Motorized Filter Wheels are designed for Ø1/2" (Ø12.5 mm) optics and are sold without filters or preloaded with neutral density (ND) filters, respectively. Please see the table to the right for the included uncoated absorptive ND filters.
Each motorized filter wheel contains two internally SM1-threaded apertures, labeled A for the 210° position and B for the 0° position. The A/B switch allows one of the labeled ports to be designated as the primary port, and the filter wheel will rotate with respect to the primary port chosen. Filters can be manually selected using the push button on top of the unit or automated using the provided software. The current position of the filter wheel with respect to the selected port is shown on the display window. The brightness of this display can be adjusted for light-sensitive applications with a small screwdriver at the hole labeled DIM.
The filter wheel included with each unit is fully interchangeable (see the animation in the Overview tab) by removing the front cover of the housing. A selection of 6- and 12-position filter wheels, with and without preloaded ND filters, is available below.
Two SM05CP2 SM05-threaded end caps, four SM1A6FW SM1-to-SM05 Thread Adapters, and twelve SM05RR Retaining Rings are provided with the filter wheel; additional quantities can be purchased separately. A region-specific power cord is selected at the time of purchase.
Part Number | Description | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
FW212C | Twelve-Position Motorized Filter Wheel for Ø1/2" (Ø12.5 mm) Optics | $1,451.63 | Today |
FW212CNEB | Twelve-Position Motorized Filter Wheel for Ø1/2" (Ø12.5 mm) Optics with Preloaded ND Filters | $1,724.86 | Today |
Additional Filter Wheels
| Preloaded Filter Wheels | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 6-Position Wheel (FW102CWNEB) | |||
| Position | Filter ODa | Position | Filter ODa |
| 1 | Empty | 4 | 2.0 |
| 2 | 0.5 | 5 | 3.0 |
| 3 | 1.0 | 6 | 4.0 |
| 12-Position Wheel (FW212CWNEB) | |||
| Position | Filter ODa | Position | Filter ODa |
| 1 | Empty | 7 | 0.6 |
| 2 | 0.1 | 8 | 1.0 |
| 3 | 0.2 | 9 | 1.3 |
| 4 | 0.3 | 10 | 2.0 |
| 5 | 0.4 | 11 | 3.0 |
| 6 | 0.5 | 12 | 4.0 |
Click to Enlarge
The 6- and 12-Position Filter Wheels Are Also Available with Preloaded ND Filters (See Table to the Right)
- Additional, Interchangeable Filter Wheels for the Motorized Housings Above
- 6- and 12-Position Filter Wheels for Ø1" (25 mm) and
Ø1/2" (12.5 mm) Optics, Respectively - Maximum Optic Thickness: 0.25" (6.35 mm)
These 6- and 12-Position Filter Wheels are available with or without preloaded, uncoated, absorptive ND filters. They are compatible with our entire line of motorized filter wheels shown above. The 6-position wheels are designed to accept Ø1" (25 mm) optics while the 12-position wheels are designed for Ø1/2" (12.5 mm) optics. The filters included with the preloaded wheels are listed in the table to the right.
Step-by-Step Switching Directions
The Overview tab contains an animation that shows how to switch between a 6- and 12-position filter wheel. To switch between two filter wheels with the same number of positions, turn off the power to the motorized filter wheel, unscrew the thumbscrew on the front of the housing, and remove the front cover. The filter wheel can then be removed and another wheel can then be inserted. To switch between a 6-position and a 12-position wheel, follow the same process. However, when the front cover is reattached, you must adjust the settings of the motorized filter wheel to the new number of positions. This is done by holding the top two arrow buttons for approximately three seconds and then changing the filter position value to either six or twelve.
Part Number | Description | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
FW102CW | 6-Position Filter Wheel for Ø1" Optics | $236.40 | Today |
FW102CWNEB | 6-Position Filter Wheel for Ø1" Optics with Preloaded ND Filters | $454.97 | Today |
FW212CW | 12-Position Filter Wheel for Ø1/2" Optics | $382.51 | Today |
FW212CWNEB | 12-Position Filter Wheel for Ø1/2" Optics with Preloaded ND Filters | $593.97 | Today |