Use this Flash tutorial to examine how a basic microscope mechanical stage operates. The stage illustrated below has two controls at the lower right that control translation in the X (side to side) and Y (front to back) directions.

To operate the tutorial, place the mouse cursor over either the top (Y translation) or bottom (X translation) knob on the stage control. When the mouse rolls over the knob, it will turn from black to gray. After the color change occurs, click on the left mouse button and the stage will activate. Each stage movement goes through one complete cycle and then stops. To reactivate the control, press the mouse button once again.