Aerotech has launched a new range of industrial grade positioning stages that feature direct-drive linear servo motors and ultra-smooth cross roller bearings in a hard top/side sealed protection design that is claimed to offer high levels of positional and geometric precision for harsh production environments. The range is aimed at high precision/high throughput manufacturing applications such as multi-axis laser micromachining, which typically demands very tight velocity and in-position control combined with smooth motion and micron level straightness and flatness. Free from recirculating bearing elements and with a high-power cog-free linear servo motor, drive induced stage vibration is claimed to be reduced to almost imperceptible levels, resulting in high velocity stability.
With a nominal stage width of under 204 mm, the range covers a choice of 100 mm or 150 mm travel with direct load up to 30 kg, HALAR calibrated accuracy to +/- 0.75 microns, a bi-directional repeatability of +/- 0.2 microns, and speeds to 500 mm/sec. Positioning resolution is up to 3 nanometres with zero backlash.
The small-footprint position stage contains the linear servo motor, anti-creep precision bearings and encoder feedback within the stage's side sealed protection system. The stages are characterised by full-length metal waycover and tensioned side strap design. The vertical side straps prevent debris from accumulating and are under constant tension to maintain a tight seal. End mounted motor and feedback connectors are claimed to facilitate easy installation and dual X-Y stages can include track type cable trays on the upper axis for a neat cable management system. The durable aluminium construction includes a scratch-resistant Teflon impregnated hard coat finish with the tabletop mounting holes finished with steel inserts to ensure long thread life.
The company's direct-drive linear servo motors and non contacting linear encoders are said to be wear free, providing high reliability. The low maintenance characteristics are said to deliver MTBF stage life of more than 20,000 hours.
The company provides a choice of PWM digital amplifiers or low-noise linear stage amplifiers. Both amplifier types combine with a flexible choice of motion controls which suit stand alone or multi-axis use with advanced controls such as Position Synchronised Output (PSO) command that synchronises real time multi-axis position with laser firing, camera capture, data acquisition or NDT test triggering to produce high-quality parts or critical accuracy test procedures, according to the company.
