automated "labjack"

I've been thinking about an idea related to solder/adhesive dispensing
on PCBs. The idea requires a short stroke z-axis but it would be much
better if it the PCB itself could be lifted rather than moving the
head up and down for various reasons.

Lets say you want to move a pcb up and down by about 3mm or so and
quickly making sure that it all moves by the same amount. Is
something like a lab jack the best bet or is there something cleverer?

Graham