Glossary

The maximum error possible when moving between any two positions, when both positions are approached from the same direction.

The time for the device to move between two adjacent optic positions, including communication time, when using default controller settings.

This is the diameter of the optical mounting hole (aperture) of the device.

The number of axes of motion that the device is capable of controlling. In the case of a positioning device, it is the number of positioning axes.

Allowable input voltage range of analog inputs.

Number of analog outputs available.

The smallest incremental voltage measurable or resolvable on the analog output.

The maximum difference in the actual position possible when a target position is approached from opposite directions.

Back-driving Force is the force required to move the unpowered device along its axis of travel. Applying a load that exceeds this force, such as in vertical applications, could potentially damage the controller and pose an injury risk in the event of a power failure or stall. Unless otherwise indicated, the measured value can vary by up to ±30% between individual stages. For stages with a power-off brake, see the Maximum Axial Brake Force specification for the maximum supported back-driving force in the event of a power interruption.

The number of buttons on a device as part of the user interface.

The type of electrical interface used to send commands to the controller. Some examples of communication interfaces are USB 2.0, RS-232, and RS-485.

The smallest unobstructed clear diameter in the optical path of the device.

The optic diameter dimension(s) accommodated by the device or accessory.

The payload range that a vertical stage’s counterbalance can be adjusted to compensate for. This specification accounts for the moving mass of the stage and applies only when the stage is operating in a vertical orientation. A minimum payload may be required.

This is the maximum current that the controller can put out per phase of stepper motor.

The colour temperature is used to describe broad spectrum light, ranging from 1000 to 10000, in degrees K, where low values are warm colours and high values are cool.

Rated output current of power supply.

Industry standardized behavioral specifications that a device may conform to.

Describes the display type on devices with LCD displays.

Number of digital outputs available.

This is the line density of the encoder which indicates how many counts or signals are given per revolution.

This is the linear motion of a device per count of the encoder. Counts depend on the number of lines on the encoder track and the interpolation of the encoder read head.

The EtherCAT network cycle rates that are supported by a device, determining how often process data (PDO) can be transferred.

Indicates the real time process data (PDO) capabilities that can be transferred via the EtherCAT network.

The resistance and power ratings for an external regen resistor used in hard braking (optional).

Describes the type of encoder output provided by the device (Zaber's T7, T8, T15, or T16 outputs.)

The smallest increment that can be read from the encoder.

The maximum difference in the actual position possible when a target position is approached from opposite directions.

The maximum vertical deviation from the best fit plane of travel. On microscope stages, this is measured with a stationary centered probe.

The positional deviation from the best-fit line of a linear trajectory. Velocity stability and following error depend greatly on payload, servo tuning, and other setup conditions.

The typical amount of force per amp output from a direct drive device.

The time for the device to move between two adjacent filter cubes when using default controller settings.

The maximum deviation in focus position when repeatedly instructing a focus stage to move to the in focus position as indicated by the HL04 sensor 100 times, approaching from the same direction every time, under stable thermal conditions.

The area occupied by a stage during normal operation, including consideration for cable connections. The area is defined as a rectangle with edges parallel and perpendicular to the axis of stage travel.

Number of teeth of the driven gear by the number of teeth of the driving worm.

Number of opto-isolated digital inputs available.

Ingress protection rating

The maximum centred load for an XY gantry or XY stage. This value will be lower than the rated load for a similar stage as an individual axis, and includes safe operating loads for the specific gantry configuration and assembly hardware. Load capacities can only be reached safely with the corresponding operating parameters in the user manual.

The maximum difference in the actual position possible when a target position is approached from opposite directions with a 1 kg load on the device. Applies to products where the expected load is along the axis of travel.

Describes what type of limit or home sensing capabilities are built into a motion device.

Indicates the number of LED illumination channels that can be driven by the controller.

Number of limit sensor inputs available per axis.

The calculated linear distance traveled for each microstep of motor movement at default settings. This distance is equal to the default microstep resolution (1/64 on most devices) multiplied by the distance traveled during one full step of the motor.

The smallest mechanical incremental step that a positioning axis is capable of reliably performing.

The rate of change of velocity as a function of time.

The maximum speed at which a motorized device can move under no load. Note that the speed is a function of load and the maximum speed can only be achieved at low loads.

The minimum speed that a motorized device can be set to at default resolution.

The minimum speed that a motorized device can be set to at default resolution.

The maximum continuous load that can be applied in the direction of travel. This may be less than the maximum force the device is capable of exerting. Exceeding this force will reduce lifetime in screw driven products. Direct drive devices will disable the motor if the maximum continuous thrust is exceeded for too long. Thrust is a function of speed; maximum thrust is obtained at the lowest speeds.

The maximum allowable force that can be applied at the center of the stage, perpendicular to the stage surface while the stage is in motion.

The maximum recommended continuous operating torque of a rotary motion device. Note that this may be less than the maximum torque the device is capable of exerting. Exceeding this force will result in reduced lifetime.

The maximum allowable force that can be applied at the center of the stage, perpendicular to the stage surface. In the case of a mirror mount it is the maximum weight that can be mounted to the face plate of the mirror mount. In the case of gimbals, centered means that the load is concentric with the azimuth axis and coincident with the elevation axis throughout the travel range.

The coefficient of maximum Y axis deflection / load given a certain payload centered on the Y axis's travel.

The maximum moment load that may be applied about the stage top of a rotary device perpendicular to the rotational travel axis.

The maximum moment load that may be applied about the pitch axis of a linear stage. For multi-axis stages, the pitch axis is defined relative to the lowermost axis of travel.

The maximum moment load that may be applied about the roll axis of a linear stage. For multi-axis stages, the roll axis is defined relative to the lowermost axis of travel.

The maximum moment load that may be applied about the yaw axis of a linear stage. For multi-axis stages, the yaw axis is defined relative to the lowermost axis of travel.

Indicates the maximum current in mA that can be provided to an attached LED channel.

Specifies the number of steps per revolution of the stepper motor used in the device.

Indicates the rated continuous current of the motor used in motorized motion control devices, or the maximum current rating of the peripheral hardware if it is lower than the motor rating.

Electrical resistance of the windings of the motor.

Electrical inductance of the windings of the motor.

Indicates the maximum rated continuous power output of the motor.

In motorized devices, this is the moment of inertia of the rotating components within the motor.

This is the standard NEMA frame size specification for a motor. It specifies the nominal size of the motor in tenths of an inch (ex size 11 has a nominal size of 1.1 inch square).

Describes the method of converting motor rotation to device motion.

Indicates how the device may be mounted to other components, and how other devices or accessories may be mounted to the device.

The mass of a stage's driven components. This excludes any external payloads.

The rate of change of angular velocity as a function of time

The rated torque of a rotary motion device. The rated operating point is the transition point from a current limited region of the torque speed curve to a voltage limited one.

The number of optics that can be mounted in the device or accessory.

The number of channels available per device.

The variation from 90 degrees between best fit lines of perpendicular travel directions, measured over the full range of motion of a multi-axis stage.

Output voltage of power supply.

Width of the stop band of an optical notch filter.

The maximum force that a device can exert in the direction of travel. Peak Thrust may exceed the device's Maximum Continuous Thrust. Thrust is a function of speed; maximum thrust is obtained at the lowest speeds.

The DC voltage input required to power a device.

The range of probe sizes that can be used within the product.

An electromagnetic brake which applies braking force when power is removed.

Indicates what model of motor controller is recommended for a particular motor or motorized device.

The maximum deviation in actual position when repeatedly instructing a device to move to a target position 100 times, approaching from the same direction every time, under stable thermal conditions. For multi-axis stages, the repeatability is for a single axis while other axes are kept fixed.

The distance from the stage surface to the center of rotation (a fixed point in space about which the stage rotates, usually for goniometers).

The possible deviation from the specified center of rotation (a fixed point in space about which the stage rotates).

The smallest incremental change in speed that can be achieved by the device at default resolution.

This is the characteristic dimension of the stage top.

The rotational stiffness of a linear stage about its pitch axis. For multi-axis stages, the pitch axis is defined relative to the lowermost axis of travel.

The rotational stiffness of a linear stage about its yaw axis. For multi-axis stages, the yaw axis is defined relative to the lowermost axis of travel.

The maximum deviation in height of the stage top, with respect to the stage base, measured at one position in travel. The angle between the stage top and base will vary over travel due to the pitch and roll of the stage.

The angular deviation of the axis of rotation away from its mean position. This excludes errors from stage base parallelism, and stage top parallelism.

The time that is required for the focus stage to complete a 200 nm move and settle within 15 nm of the target using a 165 g objective lens and optimized servo tuning.

The time that is required for the focus stage to complete a 1000 nm move and settle within 15 nm of the target using a 165 g objective lens and optimized servo tuning.

The time that is required for the stage to complete a 100 nm move and settle within 15 nm of the target using a 250 g payload and optimized servo tuning.

The mass of a multi-axis stage's driven components along the upper axis. This excludes any external payloads.

The calculated linear distance traveled for each microstep of motor movement at default settings. This distance is equal to the default microstep resolution (1/64 on most devices) multiplied by the distance traveled during one full step of the motor.

The maximum deviation in actual position when repeatedly instructing a device to move to a target position 100 times, approaching from the same direction every time, under stable thermal conditions.

Maximum rotation around the Z axis as the stage moves in the X direction.