Glossary

2D commands that generate a particular type of line segment or curve.

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.

Allowable input voltage range of analog inputs.

Number of analog outputs available.

Allowable output voltage range of analog outputs.

The angular motion of a device corresponding to one complete revolution of the motor.

Specifies whether the Zaber controller configures its settings automatically for the connected positioner.

The deviation coaxial to the mean axis of rotation. This excludes stage top form errors.

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

Specifies whether the device has an integrated controller or requires an external controller for operation.

Indicates if the device is CE compliant.

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

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.

The way in which the commands are formatted to send to the device. Please click on the "Communication Protocol" specification for a link to "Protocol Reference Manuals", or visit the support section of our website. The way in which the commands are formatted to send to the device. For more information on control protocols or the specific communication protocols used by Zaber, please see our tech article, Simplifying Control Protocols. Protocol Reference Manuals are provided on the Support Tab of our website.

The maximum thickness of optics accommodated by the device or accessory.

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

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.

Rated output current of power supply.

Describes the cable and connector type required to communicate with a motion control device.

Industry standardized behavioral specifications that a device may conform to.

Number of digital outputs available.

The voltage range over which the E-Stop will be disengaged.

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.

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

The EtherCAT synchronization modes that are supported by a device.

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

The diameter of the area in the image plane that can be observed with a camera. FN can be used to determine the field of view (FOV) using the formula FOV=FN/M where M is the magnification of the objective.

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

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

The smallest mechanical incremental step that the focus stage is capable of reliably performing.

Maximum time to move the focus stage from any arbitrary position where the focus sensor is in range, to the position where it reports it is in focus

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.

The smallest increment of force that can be output by a device in force mode.

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

Input voltage of power supply.

Number of opto-isolated digital inputs available.

Describes the various control modes.

Wavelength of laser light emitted by source.

Indicates the number and purpose of LED indicator lights.

Number of limit sensor inputs available per axis.

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.

The maximum physical range of travel of a multi-axis motion control device along the lower axis.

Indicates the presence and type of control knob for manually sending movement commands to the device.

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

The maximum recommended force that can be applied in the direction of travel to a linear stage with a brake. Exceeding this value may result in the brake slipping.

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 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 current that each channel is able to deliver to the load.

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 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 stage top of a rotary device perpendicular to the rotational travel axis.

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.

The maximum speed at which a motorized device can move. Note that the speed is a function of load and the maximum speed can only be achieved at low loads.

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 maximum torque that a motorized rotary device can apply. Note that torque is a function of speed and the maximum torque is obtained at the lowest speeds.

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

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

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

Describes what type of connector is provided on a motor or motorized device to interface with a motor controller.

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.

Indicates the maximum rated continuous power output of the motor.

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.

Specifies Single or Double depending whether the motor shaft extends from both sides of the motor or just one.

The maximum increase in motor temperature above ambient that will occur in open air, during continuous operation at maximum running current and low speeds.

Electrical inductance of the windings of the motor.

Electrical resistance of the windings of the motor.

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

Power supply capable of powering a multi-axis system (up to 3 devices).

The average wavelength at peak intensity for the light.

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

The number of temperature sensor inputs available per device.

The allowable temperature extremes of the operating environment, assuming operation in still air. Note that under vacuum conditions, the upper limit may decrease considerably due to lack of natural convection.

Width of the stop band of an optical notch filter.

Specifies which optical assembly the MVR is using.

Output voltage of power supply.

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 maximum deviation from the expected position in the ideal XY plane.

The DC voltage input required to power a device.

The angular movement possible of a product.

The deviation perpendicular to the mean axis of rotation. This excludes stage top form errors.

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.

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

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

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 roll axis. For multi-axis stages, the roll 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 types of temperature sensor the device is able to read.

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 maximum physical range of travel of a motion control device.

The time that is required for the focus stage to complete a 500 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 percentage velocity deviation from the average velocity that a stage can be expected to be within 95% of the time. Velocity stability and following error depend greatly on payload, servo tuning, and other setup conditions.

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

Indicates if the device is vacuum compatible.

Weight of the product.

The maximum physical range of travel of a motion control device along X axis.

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

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.

The maximum physical range of travel of a motion control device along Y axis.

The maximum physical range of travel of a motion control device along Z axis.