In Part 1 of this post, we looked at various methods of driving the X axes in gantry systems and how the drive method can influence the gantry’s tendency to experience racking. Another factor that can cause racking in gantry systems is lack of mounting accuracy and parallelism between the two X axes. Racking is the common name […]
Stages + gantries
Stepper-, servo-based 400-mm hollow core motorized rotary stages from OES
OES (Optimal Engineering Systems, Inc.) has added two larger rotary stages to their AY110 Series of motorized rotary stages. The low-profile 400 mm AY110-400-01 (step motor driven) and AY110-400-02 (servo motor driven) rotary stages feature a 180 mm (7.087 in.) open aperture. The height of the stage is just 71 mm (2.795 in.). A precise […]
What is racking in gantry systems, and how can it be avoided? (Part 1)
Gantries differ from other types of multi-axis systems (such as Cartesian robots and XY tables) by using two base (X) axes in parallel, with a perpendicular (Y) axis connecting them. While this dual X-axis arrangement provides a wide, stable footprint and allows gantry systems to deliver high load capacity, long travel lengths, and good rigidity, […]
New compact, high-resolution two-axis gimbal mount from OES
The new, compact AU100-ER two-axis gimbal mount from OES (Optimal Engineering Systems, Inc.) features a full 360 degree continuous rotation of each axis. This compact two-axis gimbal mount handles loads to 10 kg (22 lb) and has a clearance of 300 x 300 mm, (11.8 x 11.8 in.) about the roll axis of the stage. […]
Pick-and-place applications with Festo tools — showing at Pack Expo
Festo offers software and hardware to shorten packaging-machine development time and reduce engineering overhead. These components, systems, and software tools will be on display at Pack Expo on September 23 to 25 at the Las Vegas Convention Center Booth LS-6349. Design a pick-and-place robot and control cabinet in minutes Festo demonstrates a Cartesian robot and […]
High-resolution, high-repeatability XYR alignment stages from OES
Two new economical XYR (Theta) alignment stages from Optimal Engineering Systems, Inc. (OES) offer high precision and repeatability for industrial, medical, semiconductor, research, and laboratory applications. The XYR-01-01 and XYR-01-02 Alignment Stages feature ± 7.5 mm of travel in the X and Y axes and ± 180° of rotation (theta). The XYR-01-01 and XYR-01-02 Alignment […]
High-precision vertical elevator stages from OES
Two new high-precision Z-Axis Elevator Stages from Optimal Engineering Systems, Inc. (OES), The AZV9010 and the AZV9020, are Motorized Z-Axis Linear Positioning Stages featuring vertical travels of 10 mm and 20 mm respectively. The vertical motion of each Z-Axis Stage is driven by an 8-mm diameter ball screw with a 1-mm lead, and guided by […]
New voice coil stages feature 1-micron positioning resolution
The compact open aperture HCDS-051-032-013-01-B1-30 and the HCDS-051-032-013-01-B1-01 Voice Coil Stages from Moticont have a footprint of just 2.000 in. (50.8 mm) wide by 5.000 in. (127.0 mm) long and feature positioning resolutions of 30 microns and just 1 micron respectively. These precision stages allow the user to select the level of precision needed for […]
HEIDENHAIN and ETEL exhibiting together at SEMICON West
Visitors to this July’s SEMICON West 2019 trade show will get to learn about where accuracy meets throughput at the HEIDENHAIN and ETEL joint booth in San Francisco in the Moscone Center — July 9 to 11. Here, daily presentations will be given by HEIDENHAIN and ETEL experts highlighting this year’s application focus of Fan-Out […]
Physik Instrumente XY stage provides high speed and 10-nm resolution
Precision motion specialist Physik Instrumente (PI) now sells a new integrated XY stage — part of its compact high-speed positioning stage roster. All of these positioning stages are powered by ultrasonic piezo-linear motors — patented motors that deliver smooth motion, high resolution and rapid step and settle response. Also featured on the motors is a […]
