Translation Stages and Slides

Translation stages or Slides are mounting surfaces used to provide differing degrees of movement to mounted optical components by moving the components across one or more axes. They are useful in a variety of optical applications where they increase efficiency by allowing the movement and repositioning of a variety of individual optical components or set up a system of optical components without the need for recalibration, disassembly or removal. Translation Slides can be manually or automatically adjusted and use different methods of movement such as ball bearings, crossed roller, leadscrew or rack and pinion. Stages can also be designed so they integrate with one another, allowing movement of optical systems over multiple axes to occur and increasing flexibility. Translation stages and slides are an essential tool for any optical system that requires movement of components, as they allow changes to happen with precision accuracy, making them particularly useful in design and imaging applications such as research, design and mapping.