System and method for controlling a stage assembly

A stage assembly that moves a work piece a movement step along a first axis, the stage assembly comprising:

• a first stage;
• a first mover assembly that moves the first stage with a first average acceleration during the movement step;
• a second stage that retains the work piece;
• and
• a second mover assembly that includes a first mover component that is coupled to the first stage and a second mover component that is coupled to the second stage, the second mover component interacting with the first mover component to move the second stage with a second average acceleration during the movement step that is different than the first acceleration profile.

A method for moving a work piece a movement step, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a first stage;
• moving the first stage the movement step with a first acceleration profile with a first mover assembly;
• retaining the work piece with a second stage;
• and
• moving the second stage with a second mover assembly, the second mover assembly including a first mover component that is coupled to the first stage and a second mover component that is coupled to the second stage, the second mover component interacting with the first mover component to move the second stage with a second acceleration profile during the movement step that is different than the first acceleration profile.