Physik Instrumente (www.physikinstrumente.com) has released the M-687 XY stage, which provides fast, high-precision XY positioning system ideal for applications that use inverse microscopes. The stage is designed with large apertures of up to 160 mm x 100 mm, which can support specimen holders and Z systems for specimen scanning. It can achieve a travel range of up to 100 mm x 75 mm.

Unlike DC motors or flanges stepper with large screw ducts, the M-687 XY requires no additional installation space for its driver since the PILine piezoceramic linear motor is already integrated inside the stage. This feature allows easy integration of the stage in the microscope providing unhindered access to the specimen. The PILine motors keep the platform’s position stable by transmitting force directly to it while moving. By doing so, the motors do not produce additional heat.

PI’s stages closed-loop velocities can reach up to 250 mm/s. M-687’s settling behavior has been optimized to allow settling within a few milliseconds. Meanwhile, PI also acknowledges that slow movements are of great importance to users. Thus, the stage is specifically designed with 1000-fold magnification, which enables the microscope to cover movements even at a distance of a few micrometers per second.

Using a PILine drive together with a high-resolution position sensor produces high precision, still stage specifically designed to repeatedly reach positions with sub-micron accuracy. This is useful for imaging methods required for large specimen such as stitching and tiling.