XYZ Stages

XYZ stages, also called XYZ linear stages, are a unique type of 3-axis linear translation stages that provide high-precision linear motion in 3 degrees of freedom. Each XYZ stage consists of the XY stage, responsible for accurate sample positioning, and the Z stage, dedicated to precise objective focusing.

XYZ stages contribute to advancements in instrument performance in various industries, such as life science and diagnostics. These applications include fluorescence in-situ imaging (FISH), DNA sequencing, digital pathology (cell and tissue morphology analysis), proteomics, single cell imaging, and live cell imaging.

We specialize in manufacturing standard and custom XYZ stages that fit your unique application and will assist you with configuring the right motion solution across X, Y, and Z axes.

XYZ Stage Products

The DOF Series Dover Objective Focuser stage has been optimized for optical microscopy applications. Eliminates alignment headaches.

wdt_ID Travel 5 mm
1 Resolution 1.25 nm
2 Repeatability < 50 nm
3 Bandwidth > 225 Hz

The SmartStage XY Linear Positioner offers high performance and includes an innovative built-in controller right inside the stage.

wdt_ID Travel 50 - 200 mm
1 Accuracy ≤ 10 μm
2 Repeatability 0.5 μm
3 Payload up to 6 kg

Coming Soon! The SmartStage™ Open Frame stage is the first open aperture linear motor stage with an embedded controller.

wdt_ID Travel 115 x 75 mm
1 Accuracy ≤ 10 μm
2 Repeatability 0.5 μm
3 Payload up to 6 kg

The SmartStage™ Z-50 Nanopositioning stage provides a unique combination of travel distance, and precision, for Z stage applications.

wdt_ID Travel 50 mm
1 Resolution 5 nm
2 Accuracy 10 μm
3 Repeatability .8 μm

The SmartStage XY Monolithic is a positioning stage in a low-profile XY form factor, designed using stiff crossed roller bearings for superior performance.

wdt_ID Travel 50 - 75 mm
1 Accuracy 12 μm
2 Repeatability .08 μm
3 Payload (kg) 10 kg

The Miniature Linear Stage – MMX™is a compact linear stage with an actuator specifically designed to fit inside benchtop instruments and small spaces

wdt_ID Travel 25 - 150 mm
1 Accuracy < ± 3 μm
2 Repeatability < ± 0.4 μm
3 Payload 10 kg

Custom XYZ Stage Designs

With over 60 years of expertise in motion optimization for objective focusing and sample movement in X, Y, and Z directions, we understand the unique challenges OEMs face. We recognize that different designs, cost considerations, and schedule targets may require customizations beyond our standard line of XYZ stage products. Whether it's modifying our existing solutions or creating a completely new design, we offer customizable options to meet your project needs.

In our new video and case study, discover how Dover Motion's integrated solution for the X, Y, and Z axes allowed NanoView Biosciences to enhance throughput and reliability in their next-generation instrument.

Determining the XYZ Motion Systems Architecture in an Automated Microscopy Instrument

Once the optical imaging elements are selected, the XYZ stage motion system architecture can be finalized. A typical field of view is much smaller than the sample being imaged. Thus, in order to image an entire sample, either the sample or the camera/objective will need to move along two perpendicular axes (XY). In addition, in order to properly resolve the image, the distance between the magnification objective and the camera (or image sensor) needs to be precisely adjusted. This is referred to as the Z axis. The Z axis is typically vertical and motion along it, to move the sample into the imaging field of view, occurs perpendicular to the XY plane.

There are three common configurations of the XYZ motion hardware. Selecting the best one depends upon the particular application’s complexities:

1.The XY stage moves the sample below a Z stage that is moving the objective or camera.

This is the most common configuration of XYZ stage motion. The benefit of this approach is that the image becomes stable after motion more quickly because it is only moving on one axis. This means it can be mounted to a sturdy structure instead of a stack of three moving axes whose resonances need to damp.

During sample loading, the objective can be moved vertically away from the sample mounting area, which makes changing samples easier. Also, Abbe errors are reduced because the overall stack is shorter.

XY stage moving slide with separate Z axis objective

2. Three motion axes move the object being imaged in X, Y and Z directions while the camera and objective remain stationary.

In this situation, the camera is very stable because it is mounted to a rigid surface. The drawback is that the travel required for the Z axis may be longer because the objective-to-imaging sensor distance is fixed. Typically, it requires less travel to move the objective with respect to the imaging sensor or camera.

3. The objective or camera is moved in X, Y and Z directions, while the sample remains fixed.

This approach works best when imaging small parts such as a microscope slide. As part size increases, the complexity of this approach also increases. Larger travels tend to require multi-axes to support a beam that has the vertical focus axis with both the imaging sensor and objective mounted to it.

With over 60 years of expertise in motion optimization for objective focusing and sample movement in X, Y, and Z directions, we understand the unique challenges OEMs face. We recognize that different designs, cost considerations, and schedule targets may require customizations beyond our standard line of XYZ stage products. Whether it's modifying our existing solutions or creating a completely new design, we offer customizable options to meet your project needs.

In our new video and case study, discover how Dover Motion's integrated solution for the X, Y, and Z axes allowed NanoView Biosciences to enhance throughput and reliability in their next-generation instrument.

Configuring the XY Stage and Z Axis

Determining the best motion technologies to configure the XY stage and Z axis depends on carefully considering the attributes of each in light of your requirements and budget. What focusing technology (software v. tracking laser autofocus) will you be using? What are your requirements for resolution, speed, accuracy and bandwidth? What frequency of images is required (do you require a single image per step or a continuous scan)? What are the size and shape of your samples and camera?

Please keep in mind though, that if the best technology still requires modification to suit your application, that is where Dover Motion excels. We have a track record of meeting focusing challenges at the edge of current capabilities in the industry.

Additional XYZ Motion Resources

FAQ

Linear motion stages provide precise automated positioning and are typically available as either single axis, an XY stage, or XYZ translation stages. Each axis of a linear stage must constrain the six degrees of freedom (X, Y, Z, roll, pitch, and yaw) of the payload to only one, producing translation along a straight line. This is accomplished with a set of linear bearing guideways which are attached to a base structural member that provides a stiff support.

  • The linear bearing guideways can be implemented in a number of ways, including:
  • Ball and crossed roller bearings
  • Recirculating bearings
  • Cam followers or vee wheels
  • Air bearings

XYZ stages operate on a three-axis system and allow engineers to achieve precise movement in the X, Y, and Z directions. These stages consist of linear motion components, such as friction screws, ball screws, belts and pulleys, racks and pinions, piezo actuators, and linear motors, which work together to facilitate motion control.

Each of the X, Y, and Z axes in an XYZ stage is equipped with its own motor and controller. These motors drive the linear motion components to achieve the desired direction of movement. The controllers provide the necessary commands and signals to the motors, ensuring accurate positioning and seamless motion. High-resolution linear encoders can be integrated into the XYZ stage for applications requiring precise positioning. These encoders provide feedback on the actual position of the stage for closed-loop and accurate position control.

Typical applications for XYZ stages include:

  • Fluorescence in-situ imaging (FISH): XYZ stages facilitate precise positioning and movement control essential for capturing high-quality images in FISH experiments, aiding in the study of cellular structures and genetic material.
  • DNA sequencing: These stages play a crucial role in automating and optimizing DNA sequencing instruments, ensuring accurate and efficient sample microscopy for identifying the order of nucleotides (A, G, C, T) in a strand of DNA.
  • Digital pathology: XYZ stages enable the precise scanning and imaging of tissue samples in digital pathology applications, allowing for detailed tissue morphology (Histology) and cell morphology (Cytology) analysis for the diagnosis of diseases and abnormalities.
  • Proteomics: XYZ stages provide the necessary precision and stability required for sample manipulation and analysis in proteomics research, aiding in the study of protein structures, functions, and interactions.
  • Single cell imaging: With XYZ stages, researchers can precisely position samples and focus digital cameras for studying individual cells, facilitating the investigation of cellular behavior, morphology, and function.
  • Live cell imaging: These stages enable real-time observation (typically in an incubator) and analysis of dynamic cellular processes in live cell imaging experiments, supporting research in areas such as cell biology, pharmacology, and neuroscience.
  • 3D metrology: XYZ stages are instrumental in 3D metrology applications, allowing for accurate and repeatable measurements of objects and surfaces in three dimensions, essential for quality control, inspection, and metrology.

Direct drive linear motor stages provide many advantages when compared to piezo nano positioners including:

  • Very high, nanometer-level resolution
  • Very short move and settle times
  • Ample travel compared to piezo/flexure stages
  • High servo bandwidth, with a critically damped response
  • Very high stiffness; no out-of-plane compliance typical in flexure stages
  • Extremely long service life, with no need to vary servo tuning

A typical multi-axis imaging application involves a piezo stage moving an objective vertically for focusing with a separate sample motion using an XY stage. The use of piezo and flexure-based stages for XYZ focusing in this situation has many drawbacks.

Typically, a piezo stage can only move 100 – 300 nanometers. It moves very tiny amounts, very precisely; however, the initial steps of focusing often requires larger movements. The larger moves are necessary for avoiding objective collisions with the sample or for finding the optimal focusing plane due to sample variations. Because of their movement limitations, piezo stages may have difficulty accommodating thicker samples such as tissue samples.

Also, the XY stage motions or other vibration sources such as pumps and fans in the microscope or diagnostic instrument can impart off-axis forces on the flexure which results in instability of the piezo stage. The stiffness of a system is referred to as bandwidth, and piezo stages with flexures are typically lower bandwidth compared to a stage using a linear motor or screw combined with a crossed roller bearing.

Another drawback to piezo stages is that the advanced crystalline materials (PZT) used in piezoelectric motors are expensive to produce and frequently include lead and other potentially hazardous materials. Piezo controls are also costly and are frequently complex to operate.

This automated digital microscope consists of a programmable high precision XYZ linear stage. This system does automated focusing, automated XY motion, and has a CCD camera replacing the human eye. The field of view of a microscope is typically very small. It can be a fraction of a millimeter to perhaps two millimeters, and, the sample is much larger. To overcome that, an automated microscope will take many pictures of the sample across the X and Y space of the slide. For more information, visit our Automated Imaging Page.

Digital Microscope Schema

Dover Motion can address the performance requirements of your most demanding applications, and has over five decades of experience designing precision linear stages, rotary stages, and complete precision motion control systems.

Our skillset in high-precision multi-axis motion control includes:

  • Precision surface grinding, both pre- and post-hard coating
  • The use of advanced materials such as alumina ceramics, carbon-fiber, Zerodur, and diamond-like carbon
  • Structural exterior and interior light-weighting for maximum stiffness/mass ratio
  • Skills in the use of cutting-edge position and angle metrology instrumentation
  • 2-D and 3-D software compensation of residual stage errors
  • In-house design of both ironless and iron-core linear servo motors
  • Expertise in control theory and the design of high-performance servo loops
  • In depth knowledge of precision motion control system design

High precision positioning stages serve a wide array of applications and can be considered “high precision” for various difference reasons. For some XYZ stages, it is critical to minimize geometric errors and provide true XYZ stage accuracy within the working area or volume. In other cases, one or more precision motion axes are required to move with exceptionally constant velocity. These systems often require that periodic triggers be generated at extremely precise positions, and that encoder cyclical error be eliminated.

In other applications, minimizing position jitter when stopped is paramount with permissible jitter being only a few nanometers. This requirement is often coupled with a need to move very quickly from position to position. For yet finer position stability, Coulomb friction can be engaged, reducing jitter to 10 to 20 picometers.

Dover Motion has extensive experience in providing precision motion control solutions configured to fit many different applications and can address even the most challenging requirements.