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A mechanical stage is a microscope attachment that allows precise control of slide position. It is useful for high magnifications and delicate operations. Some microscopes come with mechanical stages or accessories. The user can control the stage to move the slide and adjust the angle. Computer-controlled microscopes can also control the stage with programmed commentary or hands-free technology.
A mechanical stage is a microscope attachment that holds slides in place and allows the user to precisely control their position. These devices can be useful for handling slides at high magnifications and in delicate operations where position is very important. Accessories are available to convert a microscope’s basic stage, a flat clip-on platform, into a mechanical stage. Some new models are equipped with mechanical stages or optional accessories. High-powered microscopes, in particular, may need mechanical stages to perform at their best.
To use a mechanical stage, the operator places a slide on the stage and snaps it into place. The eyepieces can be adjusted to provide the desired focus and magnification for the user to view the slide. Instead of manually repositioning the slide to look at a different area, the user controls the mechanical stage to pull the slide to a different region. Many work with adjustable knobs. Users may need to experiment at first because the orientation of the slide can be confusing when looking through the eyepieces.
At very high magnifications, an operator may want to be able to micro-move to see a different part of a slide. Manual repositioning does not offer the degree of accuracy available, while a mechanical stage does. The user can note the coordinates of the X and Y axes on the Stage to accurately reposition the slide. The slide can be moved around using mechanical controls to scan it, allowing the user to look for something of particular interest and stop to examine it more closely.
In addition to moving the slides back and forth and up and down, the mechanical stage can offer angle control. Sometimes it is necessary to tilt slides or specimens. The technician can move the knobs to change the angle and examine a crystalline structure or similar phenomenon from a different perspective. Such mechanical stages are more complex and can be more difficult to learn to operate, so they are usually only installed when they are needed.
Computer-controlled microscopes can allow a technician to control the mechanical stage with programmed commentary or hands-free technology. The sequences can be entered into the computer, which makes the necessary adjustments, and can even be controlled with verbal commands in some cases. This can be useful for tasks such as demonstrations, where a scientist might want to focus on presenting information. The user can program the settings in advance to move the slide while discussing different features as they appear.
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