Galvanometer Scanners
QS-12 OPD Galvanometer Scanner
Exceptional performance and value
The QS-12 OPD moving-magnet galvanometers offer strong performance and value for steering 10mm, 15mm, and 20mm aperture mirrors. Our groundbreaking optical position detector design enables an unsurpassed combination of high linearity and low drift required for high precision applications. When integrated with Nutfield’s QD-4000 servo amplifier, the QS-12 OPD scanners deliver exceptional speed and accuracy in compact, affordable configurations.
- Recommended apertures10mm, 15mm, 20mm
- Product familyOptical Position Detector Galvos

Overview
Contact Nutfield Technology for assistance with identifying a solution for your scanning application.
Key Features
Key features of the QS-12 OPD Galvanometer Scanner:
- Novel Hub Mirror Mounting provides higher resonant frequencies
- 10mm, 15mm, and 20mm apertures
- Low drift – 70ppm
- High Linearity – 99.8%
- High Resolution
- Excellent RF noise immunity
- Available as galvanometer, single-axis scanner, XY scan set, open-frame head, packaged head, and 3-axis scanner
Specifications
Values as published by Nutfield Technology.
Specifications for the QS-12 OPD Galvanometer Scanner:
| Specifications: | Value |
|---|---|
| Standard Specifications: | QS-12 OPD Galvanometer Scanner |
| Rotor Inertia | 1.837 gm-cm² |
| Torque Constant | 180,000 dyne-cm |
| Coil Resistance | 3.0 ohm |
| Coil Inductance (@ 1kHz) | 530 µh |
| Weight (without cable) | 129 g |
| Inertial Load: | |
| Recommended | 1.8 gm-cm² |
| Maximum | 9 gm-cm² |
| Position Detector: | |
| Linearity* | >99.8% @ ±20° |
| Gain Drift | 50 ppm/°C |
| Offset Drift | 15 µrad/°C |
| Repeatability | 10 µrad |
| Typical output signal | |
| differential mode | 14.5 µA/° |
| common mode | 151 µA |
| Supply current | 15 – 20 mA |
| * For larger angles, contact Nutfield Tech. | |
| Dynamic Performance: | |
| Step Response Time | |
| (1% of full scale, 99% settled) | |
| 10mm X Mirror | 260 µs |
| 15mm X Mirror | 325 µs |
| 20mm X Mirror | 410 µs |
| Cable lengths available: | 7″ to 24″ (0.18m to 0.61m) |
| Storage Temperature: | 10 to 50°C |
| Operating Temperature: | 0 to 40°C noncondensing |
| All specifications are using Nutfield Tech’s QD-4000 Servo Amplifier. |
Applications
Nutfield’s QS-12 OPD Galvos are ideal for the following applications:
- Marking
- Imaging
- Micromachining
- Textiles Cutting and Embossing
- Solar Scribing (PV)
- Surface Treatment
- Industrial Processes
- Optical Filters
Accessories
Accessories available for the QS-12 OPD Galvanometer Scanner:
- Cables – available lengths 7″ to 24″ (0.0178m to 0.610m)
- QD-4000 Servo Amplifier
Downloads
Documentation for the QS-12 OPD Galvanometer Scanner:
- Nutfield Technology’s OPD Galvanometer Scanners Data Sheet
U.S. patents apply to this product. For details, visit our Virtual Patent Marking page.
Need help choosing the right scanning solution?
Contact Nutfield Technology for assistance with identifying a solution for your scanning application.


