By Danielle Collins | Business Development Manager — Semiconductor • Bosch Rexroth With computer chip shortages affecting virtually every industry, semiconductor manufacturers are working rapidly to build new fabs and expand existing production lines. This increase in manufacturing capacity creates major opportunities — and challenges — for automation technology suppliers. Consider that the typical chip […]
Integrated Linear Systems
Crossed roller bearing XY stages for leading metrology applications
ALIO Industries is meeting the exacting demands of OEMs producing cutting edge 3D metrology tools in what is a dynamic and ever more competitive sector as industry demands more and more accurate metrology solutions. ALIO provides near air-bearing performance crossed roller bearing XY Nano Metrology stages with up to 450-mm travel range. The stages use […]
High-precision, high-load goniometer stages with +/- 30 degrees of travel
Optimal Engineering Systems, Inc. (OES) has added four goniometers to their expanding catalog of high precision positioning stages. The new, AK160-30 Goniometer Series feature precision ground worm gears with a 400:1 ratio and pre-loaded cross roller guides offer +/- 30 degrees of travel with 30 kg of load. This series of goniometer stages feature four […]
High-precision motion stage has the right stuff
In-house designed and built motion control components are used to design and build a high-precision motion stage. ProDrive Technologies In many specialized manufacturing operations, precision is non-negotiable. Yet, at the same time, many system designers and integrators are also being challenged to increase performance and reduce costs. To meet the dual demands to increase performance […]
Four-axis positioning stages with four motor options
OES (Optimal Engineering Systems Inc.) has added to their line of purpose-built stages. The new XYZR Series of Four-axes Stages are the integration of a: 15 mm, 30 mm, 50 mm, 75 mm, or 100 mm linear stages (in any combination) for the X, Y, and Z axes, and a 60 mm or 100 mm […]
Compact linear motion system brings modularity to small-space applications
Thomson Industries, Inc. has introduced a family of compact linear systems that makes it easier for motion designers to implement complex applications in small spaces. Designers needing thrust and bearing support in a single, compact unit now have the flexibility to build such applications with versatile, time-tested components from Thomson. “As demand for smaller-scale applications […]
Beckhoff expands XPlanar function with bumper ID, new mover variants
Beckhoff has created new possibilities in adaptive automation by expanding the functionality of the XPlanar “flying motion” system. Now, on top of XPlanar’s field-proven capabilities, the solution can handle more products with even more flexibility through new mover identification, movers for two lanes of traffic on one tile, rectangular movers and mover coupling for higher […]
New 600-mm vertical lift stage features 5-micron repeatability
The new AT20-600 series of Motorized Vertical Lift Stages from Optimal Engineering Systems, Inc. (OES) features a vertical lift of 600 mm. The AT20-600-01 is driven by a two-phase stepper motor and features a repeatability of 5 microns, positional accuracy of 20 microns and has a knob on the motor for manual adjustment. The AT20-600-02 […]
Rediscovering ball splines for robust linear and rotary motion
Ball splines were once a staple for machine designers seeking an elegant way to integrate rotary and linear motion. Driven by pressures to speed their machines to market, many designers found it faster to implement prepackaged solutions in which rotary and linear motion shafts had already been integrated. By Charles Isaac • Thomson Industries Chris […]
New high-precision, three-axis gimbal mounts with four motor options
OES (Optimal Engineering Systems, Inc.) has released four all new three-axis Azimuth, Angular Elevation, and Roll Gimbal Mounts. These new high-precision and high stability AU270-AER Gimbal Mounts locate the surface of the roll stage 115 mm below the center line of rotation allowing for the positioning of cameras, optics, lasers and instrumentation for scanning, tracking, […]