Manual Stages & Actuators

Manual linear translation stages are designed to provide precise, high-resolution travel over any combination of the three linear degrees of freedom. More importantly, however, they constrain any form of movement in the other angular or linear degrees of freedom: pitch, yaw, roll, as well as x-, y-, or z-axis translation.  They are frequently used in applications such as microscopy, metrology, optical fiber alignment, optical delay lines, interferometry, or wherever exact linear position is required.  Industries that utilize linear stages include research, bio-medical, life sciences, astronomy, metrology, semiconductor, and more.  OptoSigma offers the largest selection of linear translation stages to meet virtually any application.  For example,  we have the most bearing options of any manufacturer, including  EXC™ precision bearing, ball bearing, crossed-roller bearing, linear bearing, and dovetail bearing.  Additionally, they are available in materials ranging from brass, aluminum, tool steel and stainless steel. If one of our many catalog stages does not meet your requirements, send us a request for a custom stage.  OptoSigma is, after all, the industry leader in translation stages.

A goniometer translation stage is a type of rotation stage where the axis of rotation is situated parallel to and above the mounting platform.  In contrast, a standard rotation stage has its axis of rotation situated orthogonally to the mounting platform.   Goniometers are also designed to be stacked so to have intersecting orthogonal axes of rotation. In this configuration, they have capability for orbit-like positioning about a single point. When combined with a rotation stage, full pitch, yaw, and roll adjustment about a single point is achievable .  They are frequently used in applications such as inspection microscopy, gimbal metrology,  or wherever precise angular positioning is required.  Industries that utilize goniometer stages include research, bio-medical, life sciences, astronomy, metrology, semiconductor, and more.  OptoSigma offers the largest selection of goniometer stages to meet virtually any application.  For example,  we have the most bearing options of any manufacturer, including EXC™ precision bearing, v-groove bearing,  and dovetail bearing.  Additionally, they are available in materials ranging from brass, aluminum, tool steel and stainless steel. If one of our many catalog goniometer stages does not meet your requirements, send us a request for a custom stage.  OptoSigma is, after all, the industry leader in translation stages.

The OptoSigma Lab Jacks provide a sturdy, height-adjustable platform ideal for mounting optical setups that require height adjustment. Several sizes are available, providing different platform sizes and travel ranges.  Low-profile versions are also provided. The double-pantograph design not only carries high loads but also maintains parallelism better than 0.10 mm. The  platforms have either M4, M6, or 1/4-20 threaded holes and are plated with a RoHS-compliant black finish to reduce stray light reflections.  Labjacks are available in both steel and aluminum versions and can be purchased with additional stands and platforms.   They are frequently used in to lift heavy equipment in such applications as microscopy, metrology, optical fiber alignment, optical delay lines, interferometry, or wherever vertical positioning is required.  Industries that utilize labjacks include research, bio-medical, life sciences, astronomy, metrology, semiconductor, and more.  If one of our many catalog labjacks does not meet your requirements, send us a request for a custom one. 

Tilt platforms are generally used to adjust the angle of the platform plane relative to a mounting surface plane. In many cases, the intent is to make the two planes parallel to each other.  For these functions, two angular adjustments are needed: pitch and roll.   Some of our tilt platforms provide an extra angular adjustment, yaw, and therefore are ideally suited to align prisms or diffraction gratings. Our tilt stages are specifically designed to be compatible with other linear and rotation stages having the same size and mounting threads. This means they can be stacked to provide additional adjustments to your setup.  If one of our many catalog tilt stages does not meet your requirements, send us a request for a custom stage.  OptoSigma is, after all, the industry leader in translation stages.

Manual actuators are the mechanical interface situated between your hand and the stage or mount you are aligning.  Essentially all manual stages and mounts have some type of manual actuator. They convert rotational motion into high-resolution linear motion by way of a helical thread.  Due to fine pitch threads, the resolution achievable with most manual actuators is easily in the range of 1 to 10 um.  With differential micrometers the resolution is even better, like 10X better. Manual actuators are available in several different types including familiar micrometers heads, adjustment screws, differential micrometers, digital micrometers, and vacuum compatible micrometers.  If one of our many catalog adjusters does not meet your requirements, send us a request for a custom one.