Zaber

Summary

Summary:	Device adapters for Zaber Technologies linear stages, XY stages, and microscope components
Author:	Albert David and Soleil Lapierre, Zaber Technologies (contact@zaber.com)
License:	BSD
Platforms:	All platforms (uses serial port)
Devices:	Stage, XYStage, FilterWheel, FilterCubeTurret, Objective Changer, Illuminator

The Zaber device adapter supports single and dual-axis stages and microscope components using the Zaber ASCII protocol. The devices can be daisy-chained or connected to separate serial ports in an arbitrary configuration.

Compatibility

Currently Micro-Manager has five kinds of drivers for controlling Zaber devices: Stage, XYStage, Filter Wheel, Filter Cube Turret, Objective Changer and Illuminator. These drivers require Zaber devices to have firmware 6.14 or higher (unless otherwise noted) and be set to use the Zaber ASCII protocol. The individual drivers each have specific device requirements:

• The Stage driver requires any Zaber motion stage.
• The XYStage driver requires either one controller with at least two axes or a two separate integrated controllers.
• The Filter Wheel driver requires X-FWR that is connected.
• The Filter Cube Turret driver requires that an X-FCR is connected. The X-FCR is a component of the MVR microscope.
• The Objective Changer driver requires that an X-MOR is connected. The X-MOR is a component of the MVR microscope.
• The Illuminator driver requires that an X-LCA series LED controller is connected and has Firmware version 7.14 or later loaded.

The Stage and XYStage drivers optionally support Lockstep mode, where multiple physical axes can move in concert as a single logical axis.

Installation

Micro-Manager on Windows requires additional files installed by Zaber Motion for Micro-manager installer. Please run the installer after installing Micro-Manager.

Set Up

Zaber Device

If you’re using Zaber stand-alone controllers, first ensure that they are configured by following the easy set-up page here: X-MCC Easy Set-Up.

If you’re using Zaber devices with built-in controllers, follow the easy set-up page here: Built-In Controller Easy Set-Up.

Micro-Manager Set Up

Setting Up A Two-Axis System

Setting Up A Single-Axis System

Setting Up A Filter Wheel

Setting Up A Filter Cube Turret

Setting Up An Objective Changer

Setting Up An Illuminator

Control

There are several ways to control the position of the stage:

• Stage Control Plugin
• Mouse movement (click and drag in Snap/Live Window)
• Property presets
• Using the manual adjustment knobs on the controller

Adjust the speed and acceleration of each device through the Tools > Device/Property Browser dialogue box.

For more information on controls, scripting and setup through Micro-Manager, you can go here: Zaber Technologies Setup Instructions