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 self-clamping drive to lock the platform in place without power — useful in applications where position stability and low power consumption matter.

Long travel and compact build complement wide dynamic range

The U-723 XY stage provides 0.8 in. travel per axi, with a footprint of 42 x 42 mm (1.6 x 1.6 in.). Its low profile of 21 mm and miniaturized design allows for easy integration into tight spaces. In addition to high resolution (10 nanometer linear encoders) it provides high speed motion up to 200 mm/sec and rapid step-settle performance.

The U-723 XY stage joins its U-523 single axis sibling and the even smaller U-521 miniature stage.

High-end motion controllers and software package

To take advantage of the operating principle, providing superior dynamic performance with settling times in the millisecond range while maintaining high resolution and smooth operation, ultrasonic motors benefit from advanced control strategies, such as automatic switchover between several static and dynamic PID parameter sets and adaptive frequency tracking. PI offers a number of ultrasonic motion controllers (C-867 and C-877 product families) available in desktop, rack-mount, and OEM configurations. An ASIC chip containing the motion control algorithms is also available for OEM customers. A comprehensive software package is included: drivers and example programs for LabVIEW, dynamic libraries for Windows and Linux, MATLAB are available. Interfaces include TCP/IP, USB, RS-232 and analog.

The U-723 XY stage joins its U-523 single axis sibling and the even smaller U-521 miniature stage. Watch the U-723 in action:

Ultrasonic mini linear stage family specifications

Like all PI motion controllers, the E-727 comes with extensive software support such as LabVIEW drivers and dynamic libraries for Windows and Linux. The E-727 can also be operated via TCP/IP or USB even without an EtherCAT master and commanded with PI GCS codes. Additional interfaces are SPI for fast serial transmission of position values to / from an SPI master, four digital I/O (each) and four optional high-resolution analog I/O (20 bits) for external sensors, target values or external amplifiers.

PI has in-house engineered solutions with more than decades of experience working with customers to provide products that meet application demands and can quickly modify existing product designs or provide a fully customized OEM part to fit the exact requirements of the application. For more information, visit this deep link on pi-usa.us.