PURPOSE: To conduct preparing operation for a stage mechanism simply and quickly and facilitate reprodaction of operation of the stage mechanism by controlling the drive of an actuator according to the operation start position of the actuator for driving the stage mechanism, the operation end position and the speed thereof.

CONSTITUTION: An apparatus main body comprises an actuator 52 for driving a stage mechanism, a means 50 for instructing the operating direction and speed thereof, a means 51 for driving the actuator 52 according to the instruction, and a means 53 for detecting the position of the actuator 52. In this case, the operation start position and operation end positon of the actuator 52 are set by a teaching means 54. The speed of the actuator from the operation start position to the operation end position is calculated by a means 56. Further, the operation start position, the operation end position and the speed are respectively stored by a means 55. A driving signal based on the stored content is sent out from a control means 57 to the driving means 51.