The new M-687 XY motorized microscope stage family for inverted microscopes is more compact than traditional stepper-motor/servo-motor driven open frame XY stages due to its fully integrated, compact piezo linear motors.

Self-Locking Ultrasonic Motors, Direct Linear Drive, Direct Metrology Linear Encoders
The self-locking direct-drive motors in the M-687 positioner provide up to 10X higher positional stability. Because no holding current is required and there are neither leadscrews that heat up and drift during operation, no lubricant flow causing creep the stage is ideal for long term imaging applications. Linear encoders with 100 nanometer resolution provide direct position measurement with high accuracy. The compact design with minimized mass and inertia provides high precision bidirectional speed and position control, as well as very constant velocity, even at very low speeds. The drive system is based on the new U-164 Piezo Motor and outperforms the stability, acceleration and settling speed of traditional servo motor direct drives and gear-driven mechanisms.

Controller/Software Support
The microscope stage is delivered with a joystick and a proprietary piezo motor controller optimized to take advantage of the specific motion characteristics of ultrasonic ceramic motors. USB interfacing and a solid software and driver package for seamless integration are part of the package.

Physik Instrumente
www.physikinstrumente.com