NS15B

N-CAS® NS15B 15mm Aperture Bi-Stable Shutter

Vincent Associates, the manufacturer of UNIBLITZ® shutters has again endeavored to provide an even more reliable and small size shutter product for the Photonics industry with the introduction of the 15mm aperture version of the patented N-CAS® (Non-Contact Actuation System) shutter, the NS15B (additional patents pending on this technology). The device’s reliability has been enhanced by significantly reducing the number of moving parts. In the 15mm aperture bi-stable version, the NS15B, there are a total number of six moving parts, five of which are the blades themselves! The activating mechanism is non-contact and has shown to increase its reliability through testing over similar shutter designs. Presently the NS15B is the smallest aperture available in the NS series.

The NS15B is a bi-stable shutter, no power is required to hold the shutter in either the open or closed state. Power is required only to change the state of the device.  There are no dimensional changes associated with this configuration and it can be driven by the VDM1000.

Another advantage of the NS15B is the ease of which it can be installed in a customer application since the only protruding part from the surface of the shutter are the actuator coils.  The remainder of the structure is thin, flat and has a small diameter to allow easy integration without the concern for external moving parts.

The NS15B can be actuated by user supplied driver circuits or the VDM1000, a new driver built specifically to take advantage of the NS15B’s low power requirements. This new driver will permit the NS15B to operate with virtually identical open and close times.

When gating high intensity light sources, the NS15B can be equipped with reflective blades. This option protects the shutter blades from the light source’s damaging effects by reflecting the energy away from the blade surface. Three standard reflective blade options are available - “S” (reflective stainless steel), “Z” (AlSiO) and “ZM” (AlMgF2).

The standard shutter is terminated by 18” flying leads, however the device can also be terminated to a 3-pin male connector with 6 inch cable assembly. The 5103C cable is required when controlling the NS15B with the VDM1000. This cable is optional and not included with the VDM1000. There is an access slot located above the actuator that will allow for manual operation of the shutter if so desired.

FEATURES

• Patented N-CAS® actuator system radically reduces moving parts.
• Additional patent applications pending on this technology.
• Bi-stable design only requires power when changing state.
• Smallest aperture NS device presently available.
• Simple design provides maximum clearance around the aperture.
• Machined flat surfaces for easy integration into virtually any system.
• Small form factor, 15mm aperture, 1.400 inch overall diameter.
• Reflective blades available for high energy light sources.
• Terminated to 18 inch flying leads or 6 inch, 3-pin male connector harness (optional). Optional 5103C cable required for connection to VDM1000.

Electrical

¹Voltage level required across actuator coil when being held in the open position. Hold voltage not required for bi-stable operation.

Mechanical

¹ CONTinuous frequency rating specified at shutter’s minimum exposure pulse. BURST frequency rating specified for (4) four seconds maximum with (1) one minute minimum between bursts. Frequency measurements are taken in free air, 25°C ambient, actuator coil equipped with heat sink. For additional information on maximum sustained frequencies obtainable, please contact one of our technical representatives.

Timing

The following chart lists typical timing values (msec.) using UNIBLITZ® drive equipment and measured with UNIBLITZ® shutters equipped with standard black Teflon® coated shutter blades.

The question regarding enhancement of shutter speed with the application of user supplied lubricants has been repeatedly asked. It is our experience that lubricating the shutter blades will actually slow the shutter down and eventually render the shutter inoperable. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD ANY TYPE OF LUBRICANT BE APPLIED TO THE SHUTTER BLADE AREA

All timing specification were measured using the N-CAS® VDM1000 Drive Controller.

Unhoused Style

The UNIBLITZ® II N-CAS® NS15B is designed with low-profile and flat surfaces for easy integration into your system. The body of the shutter measures 1.40” in diameter and only .160” thick. The only protrusion from this envelope is the small actuator and hold down bracket which has a clearance of .36” from the center of the aperture.

The NS15B will be actuated by the VDM1000, a new driver built specifically to take advantage of the NS15B’s low power requirements. This new driver will permit the NS15B to operate with virtually identical open and close times.

^*Input side only, Teflon® coating is on opposite side. Intended to protect the shutter blade surface, light source must be input to the reflective side only.