H100A Compact Motorized XY Microscope Stage for Precision Microscopy: Product Manager Q&A

The ProScan H100A compact motorized XY microscope stage is the latest addition to Prior’s range of precision stepper motor stages for imaging applications in life sciences and industry. In this article, Product Manager, Simon Bush, answers some of the most common questions we get asked about the stage by end-users and OEM engineers. 

Don’t see your question answered here? Please get in touch – we’d be happy to help. 

What is the ProScan H100A XY motorized microscope stage?

The H100A is a compact motorized XY stage for upright microscopy that we developed to fill the gap in the market for an affordable stepper-motor stage with good accuracy and repeatability. It uses a 1 mm ball screw, and a 200-step motor to give a balance of speed and accuracy: its top velocity is 30 mm/s with a resolution of 0.02 µm. In a nutshell, it provides an excellent balance of value/accuracy for a compact XY stage. 

Users can control the stage with either the Prior ProScan III or the OptiScan III controllers. Using the ProScan gives the full specification the stage can offer, but the OptiScan is a good option for basic applications like where budget is a major consideration. This means that users are no longer tied to the larger and slower ES111 XY motorized stage if they want to use the OptiScan controller. 

Who is the H100A motorized XY stage designed for?

We designed it for people needing a compact and cost-effective motorized XY stage that still offers high-precision motion. 

Often, these will be end-users who want to upgrade an existing commercial microscope. The small size of the stage makes it suitable for manual microscopes such as the Evident BX43, Nikon Ci, or Motic BA310. And because the stage is affordable, it makes it ideal for smaller labs or work-from-home pathologists. 

What applications is the H100A particularly well suited for?

The H100A is particularly effective for:

• Scanning of single and double-width slides in low-throughput settings, such as small labs or home microscopes
• Industrial inspection microscopes in need of a motorization upgrade on a limited budget
• OEM instruments requiring precise positioning and a competitive bill of materials cost
• OEM instruments needing a motorized stage with an aperture that also has a small footprint

Its combination of compact design and reliable motion performance makes it a strong fit where space and precision must coexist. 

Is the H100A suitable for OEM systems?

Yes. Another key group of customers is engineers designing systems that require precise, accurate motion control, such as integrated benchtop imaging systems. Because it is compact and cost-effective, without sacrificing any accuracy, the H100A is a good choice for developers of microscopy, inspection, and analytical platforms.

It’s compatible with Prior’s modular OpenStand imaging system, giving engineers access to a complete prototyping and testing platform that can help to fast-track their development. 

How compact is the H100A stage, and why does that matter?

The H100A measures 302 mm by 198 mm, and has a travel range of 75 mm by 50 mm. This small footprint enables: 

• Reduced instrument size, which is increasingly important in both laboratory and industrial environments
• Simplified mechanical integration, especially in dense assemblies
• Lower overall system cost, through reduced material and housing requirements

For OEM designers, even small reductions in stage size can unlock significant advantages in product design flexibility.

How does the H100A’s overall size impact optical system design?

The overall size – the stage’s envelope – is the footprint (length and width) and the height of the stage. In keeping with its small footprint, the H100A is slim: less than 17 mm at the stage aperture. This makes it easier to integrate into new OEM instrumentation or existing assemblies, minimize the risk of mechanical interference or collisions, and reduce constraints on objective and condenser working distance. 

Other dimensions that are especially important for engineers to know are the Z-height (stage top to mounting plane) and the clear aperture (the size of the opening under the sample). 

What level of precision and repeatability does the H100A compact XY stage deliver?

Precision motion is at the core of any motorized stage. When evaluating the H100A – or any other motorized microscope stage – it’s important to distinguish between:

• Repeatability – the ability to return to the same position consistently
• Accuracy – how close the stage gets to a defined absolute position

For many imaging and scanning applications, repeatability is the more critical parameter. Reliable repositioning ensures consistent image acquisition, accurate stitching, and predictable system behavior. 

For the H100A the typical specs are:

• Unidirectional repeatability: <0.7 µm
• Bidirectional repeatability: <1.9 µm
• Metric accuracy: <0.09 µm/mm 

Users benefit from the same high performance as a larger ProScan stage (such as H101N1F) but with a smaller footprint. This is due to Prior’s patented Intelligent Scanning Technology (IST), which saves all the correction data to an EEPROM on the stage itself for use by the ProScan III Controller.

You can read more about repeatability and accuracy – and IST – in our article: The importance of accuracy and repeatability

How fast is the H100A, and what does that mean for throughput?

The H100A has a maximum velocity of 30 mm/s, which is twice as fast as the ES111 motorized stage. This is an excellent speed for navigating larger samples but not so fast that it becomes difficult to locate specific features at higher magnifications. But velocity is only part of the picture when assessing a stage's capability to increase throughput in applications: acceleration and settling time are also crucial. For example, a stage that moves extremely fast but takes longer to stabilize may reduce throughput. And a stage that moves quickly but accelerates slowly may never reach top speed when scanning samples. 

For many applications, stage acceleration is more important because the stage has to stop moving before an image can be acquired. The H100A can move between adjacent fields of view and settle in tens of milliseconds, depending on the magnification. 

The H100A uses open-loop control. Closed-loop control, which uses a sensor or encoder to provide positional feedback, can boost overall stage performance (especially bidirectional repeatability). Movements over short distances are slowed by the sensor's action. The performance of the H100A is particularly close to that of a closed-loop-controlled stage compared with other non-encoded stages in Prior’s portfolio, owing to its compact size and mechanical design, combined with Prior’s IST. For smaller samples, or imaging at high magnification, the H100A can be a faster and less expensive alternative to an encoded stage without compromising on quality. 

How does the stage handle backlash or positioning errors?

Backlash and hysteresis (positioning errors) are inherent challenges in all mechanical motion systems. 

The compact size of the H100A helps reduce backlash and hysteresis errors because there is less mechanical play as the stage changes direction, which in turn reduces the direction-dependent positioning errors (hysteresis). 

As a further assurance of positioning accuracy, the H100A features Prior’s patented Intelligent Scanning Technology – as do all ProScan Stages. During manufacture, each stage is tested and calibrated with a set of correction factors that compensate for any mechanical errors. This data – unique for each stage – is stored on an EEPROM, and, when used with a Prior ProScan III controller, the error correction is applied to the stage’s motion. 

What controllers and communication options are available?

To get the full benefit of the H100A’s capabilities, we recommend using the ProScan III controller. This is the only way to access the IST error correction mentioned above to achieve maximum accuracy and repeatability. 

Users with basic or budget-sensitive applications can choose to use the OptiScan III controller. This is a good option if the application doesn’t need high accuracy.
It is possible to integrate with third-party controllers, but you should contact technical support to discuss your setup. Please note that our 5-year stage warranty is only valid when the stage is used in conjunction with a Prior Scientific controller. 

How easy is it to integrate the H100A into custom software environments?

Software integration is often a major consideration in OEM development: Prior provides access to its software development kit (SDK) on Prior.com as a free download. Our technical support team will also be happy to discuss your requirements. 

Can the H100A be integrated into third-party systems?

The H100A is designed to be integration-friendly, allowing it to be incorporated into:

• Custom-built instruments
• Third-party systems
• Hybrid solutions combining multiple components

This flexibility enables engineers to design around their specific requirements rather than being constrained by a closed ecosystem.

What level of customization is available for OEM customers?

We understand that each OEM development project is unique, which is why we offer a full customization service. As with our other microscopy and imaging components, the H100A can  be adapted to support:

• Custom mounting configurations
• Application-specific stage plates
• Cable routing or connector preferences

Different applications place different demands on motion systems, and customizing the stage to the application helps ensure optimal performance in real-world conditions. The H100A can be configured for use in life science imaging systems, industrial inspection platforms, and analytical instrumentation.

How reliable is the H100A in continuous operation?

Many OEM systems are expected to operate for long periods, often in automated or unattended environments. All Prior stages – the H100A included – undergo rigorous life cycle testing in development and are guaranteed for five years (when used with the ProScan III controller). We test both mechanical durability and performance under repeated motion cycles to ensure the stages’ consistency over periods of extended use. 

What maintenance is required over the lifetime of the stage?

Prior stepper motor stages are easy to maintain because their drive configurations are simple: a motor, a screw, and a coupling to a plate. They routinely last well beyond their 5-year warranty period, with reports of stages in the field operating for 10 to 15 years.

We provide guidance for keeping stage drives in good condition. The relative simplicity of the stages means that, with a little help from us, untrained individuals can get a stage running well again without sending it back for repair. 

How does Prior support long-term OEM supply and lifecycle management?

We understand that, for our OEM partners, we play an important part in their supply chain. The H100A is just one of a wide range of motorized components, which we can supply for use in OEM instruments. Because many applications have specialized requirements, we offer a full customization service that enables customers to take an established, proven product and modify it to their needs. 

As well as components, we have the capability to design, test, and manufacture complete OEM instruments. Learn more about our comprehensive OEM services. 

Ensure precision in your application

The H100A is a compact, reliable, and cost-effective motorized XY stage, but it’s just one of Prior’s extensive range of motorized microscopy, imaging automation, and precision motion components. Get in touch to learn more or discuss your application.