Vertical Translation Stages / Lift Stages / Precision Motorized Z-Stages
PI offers a variety of vertical lift stage designs—commonly referred to as vertical translation stages, Z-stages, or elevator stages—ranging from stepper-motor-driven platforms to piezo-driven flexure-guided nanopositioning stages. There are two main design approaches for vertical translation stages: vertically mounted linear stages and stages that provide 360-degree access to the object mounted on the horizontal Z-platform, the latter typically utilizing wedge-drive mechanisms. Vertically mounted linear stages often employ screw drives due to their holding force and self-locking capability. For direct-drive vertical translation stages, a counterbalance system is recommended to reduce motor load and improve efficiency. PI offers several counterbalancing solutions, including spring, pneumatic, magnetic, and pulley-based systems. High-precision vertical stages are essential in applications such as focusing, metrology, and precision alignment. The ability to control platform elevation with sub-micrometer to nanometer precision is mission-critical in advanced industrial manufacturing and research fields, from optics and photonics alignment to semiconductor surface metrology.
A dedicated Z-stage provides better stiffness and straightness compared to a translation stage mounted vertically on a bracket, and gives full access to the sample to be positioned.
Many Options: PI provides a variety of different Z-stages, from low-cost stepper-motor units to high-accuracy lift stages with closed-loop motors and linear encoders for direct position feedback.
Ultra-High-Precision: Piezo Flexure Z-stages and Z-Tip-Tilt positioners and Piezo-Walk Z-Stages, as well as Hybrid Nanopositioning vertical stages, are also available for nanometer and sub-nanometer precise positioning applications.
Vacuum, too
As a specialist for vacuum motion systems, PI miCos also offers HV and UHV vacuum compatible linear positioning stages.
L-310 Precision Vertical Lift Stage
Linear Encoder, Crossed Rollers
- 26mm travel
- 0.1µm min. inc. motion
5nm encoder resolution
- 20mm/sec max. velocity
- 5kg load
- Linear encoder option
L-306 Precision Vertical Lift Stage
Combines with L-406 Linear Stages
- 13mm travel
- 0.1µm min. inc. motion
- 5nm linear encoder resolution
- 5mm/sec max. velocity
- 2kg load
- 63x63mm footprint, combines with L-406 compact linear stages
A-523 Z-Tip-Tilt Air Bearing Stage
Low Profile
- ⌀250mm table
- 8 kg load capacity
- 5mm Z-stroke, to 2° tip/tilt
- 10nm/0.06µrad incremental motion
- 1nm sensor resolution
V-308 Fast Nano Focus
Voice Coil Scanner, 7mm
- 7mm motion
- Voice coil linear motor
- Adjustable Z-counterbalance
- Millisecond settling time
- 1nm sensor resolution
V-141.Z Vertical Stage
Magnetic Counterbalance
- 40 & 60mm motion
- 3-Phase linear motor
- Adjustable Z-counterbalance
- 22N peak force
- Linear encoder
PI has experience with a number of counterbalancing technologies for vertical linear stages including springs, magnets, counterweights, and closed-loop pneumatic solutions that adapt to varying loads. The following examples give an overview of what’s possible.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON COUNTERBALANCING OPTIONS, CONTACT OUR ENGINEERS
A-123.150B1ZB PIglide AT3 Linear Air Bearing Motorized Stage, 1nm Absolute Encoder with BiSS-C Output, 150mm Travel, with Z Counterbalance and Brake
A-123.050B1ZB PIglide AT3 Linear Air Bearing Motorized Stage, 1nm Absolute Encoder with BiSS-C Output, 50mm Travel, with Z Counterbalance and Brake
Custom Z-Theta with piezo XY motion system for miniature CT scanning. Z Axis is a custom A-123.200B1 Air Bearing stage with pneumatic counterbalance, which includes automated counterbalance adjustment for varying loads. The rotary stage is a A-623.050B1. The Q-545 XY stage is based on piezo-motor technology and driven through a slipring.
Piezo Flexure Z-Nanopositioners
Sub-nm Resolution, Zero-Friction
- <1mm travel
- <1nm min. inc. motion
- Millisecond fast step & settle
- High stability & fast scanning
