Getting Started > XY / Z Stages > Z Stage Controller Setup
When a voltage-controlled piezo stage or lens focus controller is available, lens focus can be adjusted from the Image and Image & Signals recording windows and Z stacks containing sections at a series of Z positions can be recorded.
Support for an voltage-controlled stage or piezo lens focus controllers can be configured using the Z Stage settings in the XY / Z Stage page.
Enable
Tick the Enabled option to enable Z position control in WinFluor's Image and Image & Signals recording windows.
Z Stage Control Voltage Output
The Z Stage Control Voltage Output selects the analog output channel to be used to control the lens/stage positioner. This analog output is connected to the voltage control input of the positioner.
Voltage Range Limits
The Minimum and Maximum fields set the lower and upper limits of the lens positioner analog input voltage working range.
Calibration
The Position 1 and Position 2 pair of Position / Voltage fields define the relationship between lens positioner control voltage (V) and position (microns). The lens positioner can be calibrated by entering the control voltage and position for a pair of positions near the upper and lower limits of the positioner range.
Min. Step Size
The Min Step Size field defines the smallest change (in microns) in Z position supported by the lens controller.
Max. Step Time
the Max. Step Time field defines the maximum time taken to move the Z stage between positions. Note. In time lapse recording mode, changes in Z stage position are initiated after the end of each exposure (or sequence of exposures when multi-wavelength imaging). In continuous recording mode, the change in Z stage position is initiated Max. Step time ms before the end of each exposure (or sequence of exposures).
Excitation off during step
When this option is ticked, the excitation ligbt source is turned off when the command voltage to the Z positioner is changed when recording a Z stack. In continuous recording mode, this occurs Max. Step Time ms before the end of the camera frame. It has no effect in time lapse mode.
End exposure at step
When this option is ticked, Z stack recording is enabled and continuous mode recording is selected, the camera exposure is shortened by Max Step Time ms so that it terminates before the Z position changes. It has no effect in time lapse mode.