Abstract: A manipulator is described for moving a platform in translation in a plane. An actuator is mounted for rotation about an axis aligned parallel with the plane. A manual control lever is pivotly supported by the actuator which engages the platform through a similarly pivotly mounted coupling device. The coupling device engages the platform through a universal sliding movement in a slot to enable pivot motions from the control lever to produce translational position changes of the platform. Low frictional engagements of the moving elements together with a selectable motion reduction enable minutely accurate manual positioning of the platform.