Modular multi-axis stepper motor driver with remote control for use in microscopy

TL;DR

This paper presents a low-cost, open-source, multi-axis stepper motor controller for microscopy that includes safety features, feedback monitoring, and remote control capabilities, facilitating automated sample positioning.

Contribution

It introduces a novel, versatile controller design with safety, feedback, and remote operation features, along with software libraries and integration for microscopy applications.

Findings

Supports multiple stepper motors with safety features

Enables feedback-based position correction

Provides software libraries and GUI for easy integration

Abstract

Mechanical translation of samples along several axes is often required in microscopy, and automated positioning requires motorizing the translation stages. Stepper motors are commonly employed but require specialized driver electronics for reliable operation. Here we describe a low-cost, open-source controller design that drives several stepper motors and implements important safety features, such as monitoring of mechanical limit switches, stall detection, and protective software limits. If rotational encoders in the motors or linear encoders on the stages are available, the controller can monitor the stage position and correct it in a feedback loop. The stages can be controlled with serial commands via USB, or optionally from a remote control box that incorporates a joystick for real-time multi-axis speed control, rotary dials for fine axis positioning, and a display to indicate the stage positions. To ease adoption, we provide driver libraries in Python and C, a driver for the commonly used microscopy control software $\mu$Manager, and an example graphical user interface for calibration and testing.