PI Stage Setup

If you are using PI stages, you should ideally optimize their motions using PI MikroMove. The following is a list of things to do, but without detailed instructions.

• Set the soft limits (min and max positions) for the X and Y axes so the stages can't accept out of bounds motion commands that would cause hardware damage.

• Use the axes data recorders to make step sizes of the size you will be using during a tile scan. Load the stages with the water bath filled as you would normally have it. Place a sample under the objective (you could even stick a pollen grain slide over the bath). Perform motion steps and ensure they are smooth. Tune the PID loops (the direct-drive stages have separate loops for position and velocity), acceleration and max speed until you get smooth motions.

• Note that with larger step sizes and faster speeds the water in the bath can cause image to oscilate for a short while. If this is problematic: decelerate more gradually, use slower speeds, reduce the water bath volume.