Aerotech introduces new standalone multi-axis drive and motion control system

Aerotech (www.aerotech.com) has expanded its Ensemble portfolio of advanced multi-axis motion controllers with the addition of its latest Epaq MR Series. Featuring a selection of up to eight micro-stepping drives or servo fitted in a 19-inch 3U rack, the newcomer comes complete with connectors and power supplies for feedback, motor power and expandable machine I/O.

The Epaq MR offers multitasking programming for five separate tasks of synchronized multi-axis motion as well as I/O with circular and linear interpolation, velocity profiling, electronic gearbox and contouring functions. Data capture and I/O triggered ‘on-the-fly’ position registration functions are also included as a single-axis implementation of the company’s innovative Position Synchronized Output (PSO), where laser power control and axis position and other external events are coordinated tightly.

The new Ensemble Epaq MR supports technologies such as linear stage and PWM servo amplifiers for brushless and brushed motors, and micro-stepping drives.

Each axis of the Epaq MR features servo feedback that includes primary and secondary encoders. It also offers a selection of 4096 or 65636 multiplication factors to offer the connected mechanical system with positioning resolution ranging from micron- to nano-level. Every drive features a complement of I/O that comes with an optional expansion card for additional analogue and digital I/O.

Specifically designed with Integrated Development Environment (IDE) software platform, the Epaq MR seamlessly blends simplicity with adaptability through optional software modules.

The Ensemble range of motion controllers also features a remote ASCII interface for non-Windows (including Linux) or Windows programs, enabling external command via the standard Ethernet port.

Aerotech offers high speed, cost-effective ACT linear motor actuator

Aerotech (www.aerotech.com) has introduced a high speed, cost-effective linear-servomotor-driven actuator that is more precise than a belt-drive or a ball screw — the ACT Linear Motor Actuator. Unlike belt-drives and ball screws, the high-performing ACT is maintenance free, as it is comprised of non-contact linear motors and encoders.

Since it is a built-in assembled mechanical system, it does away with the guesswork involved in assembling individual parts, making it suitable for various applications, such as pick and place machines, assembly, packaging, electronic assembly and qualification, dispensing, vision inspection, image scanning and processing, life sciences, and inkjet printing.

The ACT is powered by Aerotech’s cog-free linear motors, which enables it to accelerate to five g and achieve a top speed of five m/s. Its rigid mechanical structure reduces settling times while providing outstanding dynamic performance. Providing remarkable system responsiveness, its linear motor has zero friction, no windup and zero backlash, while its magnetic field is self-contained in the U-channel design.

Each ACT actuator features non-contact linear optical encoders that deliver micron-level of repeatabilities. For maximum flexibility, the ACT has also been designed with an amplified sine-wave output or line-driver output encoder. It also comes with optional factory calibration to optimize standard repeatability and accuracy.

The ACT’s flexible design is available with numerous cable management and limit options to meet customer’s specific needs. Meanwhile, a cable management chain is also offered for applications that demand for a complete solution. A bulkhead termination and cable pigtail option is also offered for OEM or applications that demand a user-defined cable management.

Aerotech’s AVS1000 series positioning stages offer precise elevation

Aerotech (www.aerotech.com) has introduced a new range of positioning stages suitable for applications where positioning of heavy or large loads over small incremental movements in elevation above a horizontal plane are required — the AVS1000 series stages. These stages offer low profile and precise motion capability making them ideal for use in automated tool alignment, semiconductor manufacturing and inspection, machine vision inspection systems and laser machining applications.

The AVS1000 series positioning stages can withstand large and heavy loads up to 135 kg, as it provide five nm resolution and up to ±1 μm accuracy. The stages also feature five mm of travel, which comes with custom designs, and optional cleanroom and electrostatic discharge protection.

With its moving-wedge design, the AVS1000 series offers precise elevation of a load found in a vertical plane. The horizontal movement from a precision-ground ball screw is converted by the precision machined wedge block into vertical elevation of Aerotech’s AVS1000 series tabletop. Excellent yaw and pitch characteristics over the length of travel reduces the impact of angular errors.

Sealed linear motion guide bearings with built-in wipers are incorporated to deliver long life, excellent payload capability, and smooth, precision motion. The stages guarantee stable and parallel vertical motion without rocking or horizontal deviation of the platform. The careful design of the bearing system and the wedge angle allows the stages to maintain a compact profile while providing submicron resolution.

The vertical lift approach of the stages serves as an alternative to Z-plane oriented stages. Aside from lowering the profile, the AVS1000 series stages can also conveniently access the load from any side, thanks to its large aperture.

Large Aperture Lift Stage from Aerotech

Aerotech’s AVS1000 series stages offer the ideal solution for applications that require positioning of large or heavy loads over very small incremental movements in elevation above a horizontal plane. The low profile and precise motion capability make these stages ideal for use in semiconductor manufacturing and inspection, automated tool alignment, machine vision inspection systems, laser machining applications, and more.

Quality Design Provides Superior Performance
The AVS1000 series provides precise elevation of a load in a vertical plane using a moving-wedge design. The precision machined wedge block converts horizontal movement from a precision-ground ball screw into vertical elevation of the AVS1000 series tabletop. Excellent pitch and yaw characteristics over the length of travel minimize the impact of angular errors. AVS1000 performance includes exceptional resolution (5 nm) and accuracy (±1 µm), with the ability to apply this performance to large loads up to 135 kg.

Sealed linear motion guide bearings with integral wipers are incorporated to provide excellent payload capability, long life, and smooth, precision motion. Stable and parallel vertical motion with no rocking or horizontal deviation of the platform is assured. Careful design of the wedge angle and bearing system allows the AVS1000 series to achieve submicron resolution and still maintain a compact profile.

A Better Approach to Vertical Motion
The vertical lift approach offers an alternative to traditional Z-plane oriented stages. Not only do the AVS1000 series stages offer a lower profile, but the load can also be conveniently accessed from any side due to the large aperture. And by centering the payload over the bearings, there are no cantilevering effects.

Motor and Drives
The AVS1000 series includes Aerotech’s high performance NEMA 34 frame-size BMS series brushless, slotless servomotor. The slotless motor has zero cogging and therefore is optimized for applications requiring very smooth motion.

Aerotech
http://www.aerotech.com/products/liftstages/avs1000.html

Aerotech provides accurate positioning of heavy and offset loads

Aerotech (www.aerotech.com) has released a broad based version of its ABL1500 air-bearing linear translation stage, specifically designed as a base for X-Y systems or for high precision positioning of offset and heavy loads where maximum support is vital.

Offered in four travel options starting from 200mm to 500mm, the ABL1500WB features a nominal width of 400mm. Possessing a powerful dual linear motor drive and a selection of high accuracy or standard precision linear encoders, the stage can withstand a direct load of 60kg with submicron accuracy and resolution, and delivers up to 2m/sec and 2g of speed/acceleration.

ABL15000’s all aluminum stage benefits from an active air preload system for certified flatness/straightness of less than +/- 2.0 microns for the 500 mm travel version. It is also targeted at high test applications and throughput manufacturing in nanotechnology or semiconductor production that demands a no-compromise performance for step and repeat or scanning positioning.

Aerotech’s exceptionally high stage stiffness with advanced offset load handling characteristic is attributed to the stage’s active air bearing design, which sustains equal pressure on both horizontal and vertical bearing surfaces and distributes the load of the stage across the maximum area. Its brushless linear servo motors, air bearings and non contacting encoders all contribute to the stage’s negligible friction. It also requires minimal maintenance requirements.

The stage can be supplied individually or with other positioning mechanics as a multi-axis engineered system. The systems enable machine builders and OEMs to realize their automation needs. These can also include cabinet frames, special fixtures, granite base and various advanced machine and motion controls that combine to enhance production throughput, development timescales, and customer product’s final quality.

Nanopositioning Rotary Stages from Aerotech

Aerotech’s ANT95-R and ANT130-R direct-drive rotary stages are part of Aerotech’s nano Motion Technology product line. They offer unprecedented in-position stability (0.005 arc sec) and incremental motion (0.01 arc sec) using Aerotech’s unique direct-drive technology, and are suitable for demanding high-throughput manufacturing applications such as disk-drive and MEMS manufacture and test, fiber-optic device alignment, as well as for super-high-precision laboratory R&D applications.

The ANT95-R and ANT130-R rotary stages incorporate Aerotech’s unique direct-drive for extremely smooth motion, and both are available in 20°, 180°, or 360° continuous travel. Maximum speed is 200 rpm and maximum acceleration is 400 rad/s2. Axial load capacity is 2 kg for the ANT95-R and 3 kg for the ANT130-R. These rotary stages also offer an 11 mm clear aperture that can be used for product feed-through, laser beam delivery, cable clearance, or application-specific requirements. Error motion specifications are outstanding.

The ANT95-R and ANT130-R series are designed for compatibility and easy integration with Aerotech’s ANT linear stages. Together these stages provide the accuracy, stability, and performance required for current and future nanomanufacturing and inspection applications. Their low profile reduces the effective working height, minimizing “stack-up” related errors when used as part of a multi-axis system.

The ANT95-R and ANT130-R were designed to operate in a 24/7 manufacturing environment while providing laboratory-grade accuracy. Unlike other extremely precise rotary devices, they require no periodic maintenance, and our direct-drive ensures years of trouble-free operation.

The ANT95-R series data sheet is available at:
http://www.aerotech.com/products/NANO/ant95r.html

The ANT130-R series data sheet is available at:
http://www.aerotech.com/products/NANO/ant130r.html

Aerotech
www.aerotech.com

PRO LM Series Linear Motor Stages from Aerotech

Aerotech’s PRO LM series of high performance, cost-effective and versatile linear motor stages are offered in four different series with 38 different models in travels from 100 mm to 1.5 m. The PRO165LM, PRO225LM, PRO280LM, and PRO560LM make up the Aerotech PRO LM series of linear motor stages. They all feature a linear motion guide bearing system and high-performance brushless linear servomotor to make them the stage of choice in industrial applications such as laser machining, medical component manufacturing, and other applications requiring precise, smooth motion in a production environment.

Ultra-Smooth, Precise Motion
Aerotech’s high-power, cog-free linear motors drive the PRO LM series. The non-magnetic forcer coil provides high force with zero cogging for ultra-smooth velocity and position control. This zero-cogging design is ideal for applications requiring outstanding contour accuracy and smooth velocity profiling. Aerotech’s linear motor stages have zero backlash, no windup, and outstanding system responsiveness. The magnetic field of the linear motor is totally self-contained within the U-channel design, making these stages well-suited for high-performance applications that cannot tolerate the stray magnetic fields generated by flat motor magnet tracks.

Noncontact linear encoders with micron-level repeatabilities are standard on all PRO LM series stages. Either a line-driver output or amplified sine-wave output encoder is available. The optional HALAR factory calibration further increases the standard accuracy and repeatability.

Construction Features
Sealed linear motion guide bearings with integral wipers are incorporated to provide excellent payload capacity and long life. Both the metal waycover and tabletop are treated with a hardcoat that is scratch-resistant and provides outstanding protection in the harshest applications, while the tabletop utilizes stainless steel Helicoil™ inserts to protect mounting holes against thread wear. Several tabletop options are available for metric or English mounting, as well as for direct interface with our popular ADRS, ADRT, and AGR rotary stages. In addition, configurable cable management options are available for single- or multi-axis systems.

Aerotech
http://www.aerotech.com/products/stages/pro165lm.html

Aerotech ANT130-5-V Vertical Lift Stage

Aerotech’s ANT130-5-V is a linear-motor-driven wedge-style vertical lift stage that provides the exceptional resolution, accuracy, and in-position stability required in nanopositioning applications, all while offering travel up to 5 mm. It is a precision stage that is perfectly at home in industrial applications. The ANT130-5-V was designed for stand-alone use or can be seamlessly integrated with other stages in the Aerotech ANT stage family for a superior multi-axis nanopositioning system.

ANT130-5-V stages utilize advanced direct-drive technology, pioneered by Aerotech, as well as anti-creep crossed-roller bearings to achieve the highest level of positioning performance. Aerotech direct-drive technology is non-cogging, noncontact, high-speed, high-resolution, and high-accuracy. The lack of hysteresis or backlash enables accurate and repeatable nanometer motion. The unique drive and bearing combination, packaged in an extremely compact profile and footprint, offers tangible advantages in high-precision positioning applications such as disk-drive fabrication, fiber alignment, optical delay element actuation, sensor testing, and scanning processes that demand smooth, precise, stable, and repeatable motion.

The ANT130-5-V family has universal mounting and tabletop patterns that allow for easy system integration. Two, three, or more axes can be easily combined for flexible system designs and multi-axis configurations.

Outstanding accuracy, position repeatability, and in-position stability require high system resolution. The ANT130-5-V stage’s industry-leading 2 nm minimum incremental step size provides this high level of performance.

Aerotech
www.aerotech.com

Aerotech introduces brushless linear servomotor-driven stages for industrial applications

Aerotech (www.aerotech.com) has unveiled a new PRO-LM range of direct-drive, brushless linear servomotor-driven stages. The range now includes a new 280mm wide version that comes in eight travel options from 300mm to 1.5m for heavy-load precision positioning and high-throughput applications in harsh environments. The fully protected and side-sealed/hard-top stages have heavy-duty linear motion guide bearings, optional cable management and sub-micron encoder feedback. These are available in nominal widths of 165mm, 225mm and 280mm, which can be mixed to optimize application load and travel requirements.

The new PRO280LM is based on the successful side-sealed design that the company has developed over the past generations of ball screw-driven stages and linear motor. The aluminum hard top cover – finished in a scratch-resistant hard coat – is a preferred alternative to plastic bellows or soft fabric stage covers, especially made for applications like laser machining. Its vertical-tensioned side straps completely seal the internal stage components from process or machining debris. A wide array of optional tabletops with steel inserts permit YZ, XZ or XY configurations with other PRO series stages with 5arc-sec orthogonality certification. Tabletop plates are available for Aerotech’s AGR, ADRT and ADRS series rotary stages or to suit customer workpiece mounting in inch and metric hole patterns. Cable management is also available for single-axis or customer-specified XYZ+rotary, XY, and XYZ stage configurations.

Aerotech said that its new PRO280LM features a positioning resolution of 250nm from a choice of amplified sine output encoders or 0.1 micron line driver. Additional impressive specifications include accuracy to +/-3 microns for the 1.5m travel version (+/-2 microns for the 300mm travel stage) with speeds to 2m/s and acceleration to 3g.

Compact Linear-Motor Gantry from Aerotech

Aerotech’s AGS1500 series Cartesian gantry systems are designed for ultra-precision, high-dynamic contouring, and provide outstanding performance in precision micromachining, stencil cutting, fuel cell manufacturing, solder-ball placement, printed electronics, high-speed pick-and-place, automated assembly, vision inspection, dispensing stations, and high-accuracy inspection.

The AGS1500 is based on our industry-leading AGS15000 gantry, and maintains many of the same leading-edge characteristics but in a more compact footprint. The planar design minimizes dynamic pitch errors at the work point. The design also keeps the linear motors and linear encoders to the outside of the work area, making the gantry less susceptible to debris-induced damage.

High Speed/High Acceleration
Aerotech’s high-performance brushless linear servomotors drive the AGS1500 to speeds of 3 m/s and accelerations of 5 g. Dual linear motors and encoders are included on the lower axis for the highest level of performance and precision. The bearings are preloaded linear motion guides with wiper seals and grease fittings, and are mounted to provide optimized dynamic stiffness and load distribution. The rugged noncontact optical linear encoders offer resolutions to 1 nm when coupled with Aerotech’s controllers.

Long-Lasting Cable Management System
The cable management system (CMS) is optimized and field-proven as the industry’s most reliable design. Large bend radii and high-flex cables ensure that the AGS1500 provides millions of cycles of maintenance-free operation. In the unlikely event of a component failure, the AGS1500’s modular design ensures that part replacement is fast and easy.

All customer cabling and pneumatics can be routed through the system e-chain. Connectors are provided at the work piece and at the opposite end of the e-chain, greatly simplifying final machine integration.

Aerotech’s years of experience manufacturing precision positioning and control systems can be leveraged by acquiring a turnkey system. Typical options include Z-theta mechanisms, risers to accommodate automated parts handling equipment, brackets for flying optics components, isolation systems, and machine bases that are designed to accommodate the entire controls and electronics subsystems. In addition, Aerotech manufactures a wide range of amplifiers and advanced motion controllers that are optimized for high-performance automation applications and are a perfect complement to your Aerotech gantry.

Aerotech
www.aerotech.com/products/gantries/ags1500.html

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