Machine-tool applications and the manufacture and assembly of semiconductor components account for more than half of all linear-motor use. That’s because linear motors are precise (albeit costly compared to other linear-motion options). Other applications for these relatively new motion components also include those that need fast and precise positioning or slow and extremely steady strokes. […]
Integrated Linear Systems
New multi-axis positioning family from PI
High-end industrial and research applications rely on precision motion stages and systems to execute mission-critical procedures and processes. PI, a leading provider of nanopositioning and motion control solutions, has developed its new family of linear, rotary, and Z-axis stages to meet those demanding requirements. Meet the L-310 vertical stage, the L-611 rotary stage, and the […]
Compact linear piezo stages offer nanometer resolution and extended travel ranges
Engineers and scientists working in the fields of nano-biotechnology, metrology, and photonics run applications that require nanometer precision and ultra-fine adjustment, often in confined spaces. To meet those requirements, PI, a lead manufacturer of nanopositioning and motion control solutions, provides its compact linear piezo positioners – P-620.1 to P-629.1 – of the PIHera family consisting […]
2016 Neuroscience Conference Debuts PI’s Ultra-Stable Microscope XY Stage Packages
Physik Instrumente will introduce two new compact XY microscope stages based on ultrasonic piezo direct-drive motors. Model U-761 provides 25x25mm travel and is equipped with 10nm resolution linear encoders, model U-780 provides 135 x 85 mm. More after the jump. Ultra-Stable – Suitable for Imaging PI’s patented ultrasonic direct-drive motors feature millisecond responsiveness and provide a […]
What are some alternative ways to get DOFs from XY gantries?
Repeatability and accuracy are core to all motion systems — especially XY gantries. On gantries, controls make axes run through predefined trajectories. Traditional XY gantry setups include an upper Y-axis gantry member sitting on twin X1 and X2 support axes. The latter axes include motor, screw, and bearing separated by a finite distance orthogonal to stroke. […]
Linear actuators: The make vs. buy decision
With the range of linear actuators on the market, it’s becoming easier for machine builders and end users to find a standard or “customized standard” product that meets even the most unique application requirements. But there are still times when it makes sense, from a financial or technical standpoint, to design and build an actuator […]
The world’s largest gantry robots
Gantry robots, by design, tend to be large systems, capable of moving hundreds or thousands of pounds over long distances. Characterized by having two base axes for extremely high load capacity and rigidity, the most common drive mechanisms for gantry systems are belts, rack and pinion systems, and chains, with linear motors being used in special cases where […]
High-speed NanoCube 3-axis piezo motion stage
The new P-616 NanoCube® XYZ piezo scanner is a redesign of PI’s successful P-611, 3D positioning stage. Now based on a parallel-kinematic design, with only one lightweight moving platform for all 3 axes, higher precision and dynamics are available in a more compact package. As the newest miniature multi-axis stage from PI, the P-616 NanoCube […]
White paper explains design and preparation of nanopositioners for high vacuum
For decades, PI has provided stages and systems for vacuum levels from 10-3 mbar to 10-9 mbar that deliver reliable motion control for positioning and alignment. The newest catalog from PI — Precision Motion and Positioning Solutions for High Vacuum and UHV — demonstrates PI’s expert design capabilities as most standard products are created with vacuum compatibility […]
New compact, frictionless piezo-ceramic scanner with high dynamics from PI
Nanometer precision and motion control industry expert, PI (Physik Instrumente) L.P., delivers new solutions for very small position changes, coupled with speed, and high force in its P-630 nanopositioning stages. With design flexibility to meet custom assembly requirements and proven demonstrated reliability of many billions of cycles, PI piezo actuators are being utilized in research […]