The Burleigh PCS-6000 / 6100 Controller and Fixture is a precision micro-positioning system that combines motorized coarse positioning with piezoelectric fine control for nanometer-level sample manipulation. Designed for high-stability, low-drift operation, it delivers rapid coarse adjustments followed by ultra-fine piezo tuning—critical for demanding electrophysiology and research applications where drift and electrical noise compromise results.
Technical Specifications
• Positioning Technology: Piezoelectric actuators (fine control) and stepper motors (coarse positioning)
• Coarse Travel: 1 inch (≈25 mm) per axis
• Coarse Step Size: Down to 5 µm
• Fine Piezo Travel: 150 µm or 300 µm options per axis
• Drift Performance: <1 µm/hour per axis
• Coarse Motion Speed: 0.0005 mm/sec to 2 mm/sec (continuously variable); Memory speed 3.5 mm/sec
• Computer Interface: USB
• Axis Configurations: Three orthogonal axes (front-to-back, vertical, approach); left-hand and right-hand variants
• Manipulator Dimensions: Approximately 7" × 8.5" × 7.5" (length, width, height); height adjustable
– Key Features
• Electrically quiet motors paired with specialty shielded cables, internal ground skeleton, and grounding pin eliminate experimental noise
• Integrated rotary stages with adjustable Home and Work positions lock approach angles for repeatable cell or tissue access
• Modular construction supports mixed configurations: motorized or manual long-travel axes, 150 µm or 300 µm piezo per axis, or no piezo option
• Dual manipulator packages (PCS-6200) available for simultaneous multi-site positioning
• Large-knob Axis Control Unit (ACU) for manual fine positioning; joystick controls servo motor speed and direction for coarse motion
– Typical Applications
Electrophysiology patch-clamp recording, microinjection, and tissue slice manipulation where sub-micron stability and rapid approach-and-fine-tune workflows are essential.
– Compatibility & Integration
USB control interface supports integration with standard laboratory automation systems. Modular design accommodates cultured cell ('C') or traditional tissue slice ('T') mounting configurations.
