Direct Drive Stages: Linear & Rotary
- Achieve nanometer precision across a versatile range.
Reach resolutions down to 1 nm, 4 nm minimum incremental move, and 50 nm repeatability. With travel up to 1000 mm, speeds of 1.5 m/s, and 20 kg load capacity, these maintenance-free stages support a breadth of high-precision applications. - Simplify integration with plug-and-play hardware.
Options for integrated controllers eliminate external controller racks and complex wiring. Just plug into power to start your first move! - Program faster with easy-to-use, powerful software options.
The Zaber Launcher application makes setup & servo tuning straighforward and quick. The Zaber API is thoroughly documented including sample code for every feature in all major languages including Python. Programming is nearly a copy-and-paste task.
Why Choose Direct Drive?
Direct drive technology removes mechanical transmissions such as lead screws, ball screws, or gearheads. By coupling the motor directly to the load direct drive devices are typically able to offer:
- Higher precision
- Higher accuracy and repeatability
- Rapid small step performance
- Higher accelerations and maximum speeds
- Longer lifetime due to zero friction/contact in the drive mechanism
- Semiconductor & Electronics: Rapid "step-and-settle" times for high-throughput wafer inspection and micro-electronics assembly.
- Microscopy & Life Sciences: High speed, silent operation is essential for high-resolution imaging, nanoscopy, and DNA sequencing.
- Photonics & Optics: The resolution required for sub-micron fiber alignment combined with the reliability for 24/7 production environments. Exceptional velocity stability and high acceleration for laser precision marking, cutting, and micromachining.
Applications
Direct drive stages are the ideal solution for high duty-cycle applications where precision and throughput are non-negotiable.
For further detail, see Direct Drive Motor Overview and Selection Process
Have a Question?
X-ADR-AE Series — Linear Motor XY Microscope Stages
Starting Price
$10,763 (USD)
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- 130 x 100 mm or 250 x 100 mm travel options
- 1 nm resolution linear encoders provide 5 µm accuracy, 500 nm repeatability, and 50 nm minimum incremental move
- Ultra quiet linear motors provide 750 mm/s top speed and are maintenance free
- Built-in controller saves space and simplifies cable management. Easily connect via USB and daisy chain to other Zaber products
| Best Repeatability | Highest Speed | Best Minimum Incremental Move | Highest Thrust | Load |
|---|---|---|---|---|
< 0.5 µm (< 0.00002") | 750 mm/s (29.528"/s) | 50 nm | 35 N (7.8 lb) | 50 N (11.2 lb) |
DMA Family — Objective Focus Stage
Starting Price
$3,159 (USD)
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- Contactless voice coil direct-drive motor for maximum throughput and reliability
- 1 nm resolution encoder and 10 nm step size
- Maximize imaging throughput with 15 ms move and settle time
- Adjustable frictionless magnetic counterbalance available for vertical orientations
| Shortest Travel | Longest Travel | Best Accuracy | Best Repeatability | Best Minimum Incremental Move | Highest Thrust |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10 mm (0.394") | 10 mm (0.394") | 8 µm (0.000315") | < 0.05 µm (< 0.000002") | 10 nm | 15 N (3.4 lb) |
DMQ Family — Compact, High Speed Direct Drive Linear Stage
Starting Price
$4,300 (USD)
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- Contactless voice coil direct-drive motor for high frequency response
- 12 mm travel
- Capable of end-to-end travel at up to 25 Hz full-travel cycling
- 1 nm resolution linear encoder
| Shortest Travel | Longest Travel | Best Accuracy | Best Repeatability | Highest Speed | Best Minimum Incremental Move | Highest Thrust | Load |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
12 mm (0.472") | 12 mm (0.472") | 4 µm (0.000157") | < 0.5 µm (< 0.00002") | 1400 mm/s (55.118"/s) | 200 nm | 26 N (5.8 lb) | 100 N (22.4 lb) |
LDA Family — Compact, Linear Motor Stage (Horizontal & Vertical)
Starting Price
$5,467 (USD)
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- Contactless direct-drive motor for high speed silent operation and long lifetime
- 20, 25, 75, 150 mm travel
- Crossed-roller bearing design for high accuracy
- 1 nm resolution linear encoder
| Shortest Travel | Longest Travel | Best Accuracy | Best Repeatability | Highest Speed | Best Minimum Incremental Move | Highest Thrust | Load |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
20 mm (0.787") | 150 mm (5.905") | 1.5 µm (0.000059") | < 0.2 µm (< 0.000008") | 800 mm/s (31.496"/s) | 12 nm | 16 N (3.6 lb) | 100 N (22.4 lb) |
LDM Family — Ultra Precision, Linear Motor Stage (Horizontal & Vertical)
Starting Price
$7,650 (USD)
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- Contactless direct-drive motor for high speed silent operation and long lifetime
- 40, 60, 110, 210 mm travel
- Crossed-roller bearing design for high accuracy
- 1 nm resolution linear encoder
| Shortest Travel | Longest Travel | Best Accuracy | Best Repeatability | Highest Speed | Best Minimum Incremental Move | Highest Thrust | Load |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
40 mm (1.575") | 210 mm (8.268") | 1 µm (0.000039") | < 0.08 µm (< 0.000003") | 1200 mm/s (47.244"/s) | 4 nm | 100 N (22.4 lb) | 185 N (41.5 lb) |
LDQ Family — Long Travel, Linear Motor Stage
Starting Price
$6,178 (USD)
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- Contactless direct-drive motor for high speed silent operation and long lifetime
- 75, 150, 300, 450, 600, 1000 mm travel
- 1 nm resolution linear encoder for direct position measurement and correction
- Built-in controller or motor-only models
| Shortest Travel | Longest Travel | Best Accuracy | Best Repeatability | Highest Speed | Best Minimum Incremental Move | Highest Thrust | Load |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
75 mm (2.953") | 1000 mm (39.37") | 2.5 µm (0.000098") | < 0.3 µm (< 0.000012") | 1500 mm/s (59.055"/s) | 25 nm | 95 N (21.3 lb) | 200 N (44.9 lb) |
RDQ Family — Precision, High Speed Direct Drive Rotary Stage
Starting Price
$5,600 (USD)
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- Excellent for high precision applications where quick move and settle is paramount
- Contactless direct drive motor for high speed silent operation and long lifetime
- 0.01 arc second encoder resolution for optimal accuracy and repeatability
- 50.8 mm (2") aperture for through bore applications
| Best Accuracy | Best Repeatability | Highest Speed | Highest Torque | Load | Best Minimum Incremental Move |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0.006° (0.1047 mrad) | < 0.0001° (< 0.002 mrad) | 2700°/s (450 rpm) | 7.8 N⋅m (5.756 lb⋅ft) | 100 N (22.4 lb) | 0.0000115° (0.2 µrad) |