400 step motors should be coupled with a 1mm ball screw to provide an extremely accurate and smooth (under high magnification) stage movement. High precision encoders are also a good option to further improve this type of stage.

200 step motors are best coupled with 2mm ball screws to provide a greater movement speed where the accuracy required is sufficient with the ProScan™II standard stage.

An encoded focus is required if the microscope which is being used has a focus mechanism which is not directly connected to the fine focus system, e.g., most Zeiss models. In this case a Z-encoder is recommended to provide a reliable Z-position.

An encoded focus is required for lengthy time lapse experiments where the microscope focus can drift with temperature over time.

An encoded focus is required if the microscope which is being used has a focus mechanism which is not directly connected to the fine focus system, e.g., most Zeiss models. In this case a Z-encoder is recommended to provide a reliable Z-position.