New compact hexapod for industrial 6-axis alignment applications

PI’s new H-815 6-Axis Hexapod is a ruggedized, highly accurate, positioning and alignment system designed for continuous 24/7 operation in demanding industrial motion applications. Engineered as a durable parallel kinematic machine for high-precision alignment tasks, it provides six degrees of freedom (6-DOF) — X, Y, Z, pitch, roll, and yaw — delivering flexibility for applications requiring multi-axis motion with high accuracy.

With a low-profile design (155 mm in height), a small footprint for a 6-axis system (222 mm baseplate diameter), and a 22-lb load capacity, the H-815 hexapod integrates into production lines while maintaining performance, even when mounted in various orientations. Unveiled at SPIE Photonics West 2025, the world’s leading conference on photonics, it is ideal for camera lens alignment (automotive, cell phones, etc.), micro-assembly, aerospace test and assembly, micro-LED production, fiber optic alignment, and other precision-critical applications.

PI has equipped the H-815 with the following for performance, reliability, and stability:

• Advanced joints for maximum stability: Custom-designed cardanic joints with Z-offset provide better stiffness than traditional universal joints and spherical joints, ensuring precise, backlash-free motion in any orientation.
• High-performance actuators: Ballscrew actuators minimize friction and enhance durability compared to conventional lead-screw designs.
• Absolute encoders: All six actuators feature absolute-measuring encoders, eliminating the need for referencing, reducing startup time, and enhancing overall precision.

Key features and benefits include:

• User-friendly software: Command in Cartesian coordinates, user programmable pivot point, tool, and work coordinate systems, hexapod simulation software.
• Compact and robust: Low-profile footprint enables flexible integration in space-constrained environments. Designed for easy maintenance.
• High accuracy: Achieves 0.1 µm minimum incremental motion in X, Y, and Z for sub-micron precision alignment tasks.
• High speed: Reaches velocities up to 20 mm/sec, optimizing throughput in industrial automation.
• Absolute encoders: No referencing required, minimizing downtime, and streamlining setup.
• Motor brakes: Automatically engage during power loss for enhanced operational safety.
• Ball screw drives: Backlash-free with minimum friction, provide improved performance and lifetime compared to lead-screw driven actuators.

The PI H-815 provides reliability, speed, and ultra-precise movement for applications in photonics test and assembly, camera lens assembly, micro LED manufacturing, optics, and metrology. Its combination of precision, flexibility, and durability makes it a suitable solution for modern high-precision alignment tasks.

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