My 1st attempt of a 3D design - inspired by the Backyard Brains "Searcher" manipulator (http://backyardbrains.rs/micromanipulator.aspx). 
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The idea is that one could combine 2 to generate an XY table or something. One could also place a stepper or something on the end to motorise it which presumably would make it more precise and useful. Made in OpenSCAD. I put all key parameters as variables in the top so one can quickly change things, e.g. length/widths/thickness, size of holes. For now it's designed for Metric M4 screws/boats.