• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Linear Motion Tips

Covering Linear Motion Systems, Components and Linear Motion Resources

  • News
    • Editor’s blog
    • Industry news
    • Motion Casebook
  • Applications
  • Slides + guides
    • Ball + roller guides
    • Track roller (cam + wheel) guides
    • Crossed-roller slides
    • Linear bearings
    • Plastic + composite guides
  • Drives
    • Ball + lead + roller screws
    • Belt + chain drives for linear
    • Rack + pinion sets
  • Actuators
    • Ball + leadscrew driven
    • Belt + chain driven
    • Linear motors
    • Mini + piezo + voice coil
    • Rack + pinion driven
    • Rigid-chain actuators
  • Encoders + sensors (linear) + I/O
  • Stages + gantries
  • Resources
    • Suppliers
    • Video

Vacuum compatible nanopositioning stage features powerful piezo motor

★ By Miles Budimir Leave a Comment

The new N-332 nanometer-precision linear stage family from PI (Physik Instrumente) is configurable to multi-axis setups of XY, XZ and XYZ, is designed for high-end applications in semiconductor technology, fiber-optics, microscopy, bio-nanotechnology, metrology and scientific research in beamlines and laser labs. The stages have a low profile of 30 mm and a small footprint of 80 x 110 mm and 80 x 160 mm with travel ranges of 1 and 2 in., respectively.

PI’s new N-332 nanopositioning stage employs a high-performance V8 piezo-walk motor and is available in UHV-compatible versions.

Due to the high active force of 75 N and power-off passive holding force of 80 N, the N-332 nanopositioning stage does not require a brake or counterbalance when operated in vertical orientation.

stages

For demanding applications that require operation in high vacuum, N-332 stages are available in configurations suitable for pressures down to 10-9 hPa. The self-clamping nature of the piezo motor allows the stage to hold a position without heat generation.

The PICMA-Walk piezo motor inside the N-332 stage is based on four pairs of PI’s proprietary PICMA piezo actuators, arranged in a V8 configuration. PICMA piezo actuators were successfully tested for 100 billion cycles by NASA/JPL before being used on the Mars Rover’s instrumentation lab. PICMA-Walk motors provide high force linear motion to 75 N and are capable of sub-nanometer resolution and self-locking when de-energized – a great advantage for applications where a stable position must be maintained without power, heat generation or servo jitter.

For more information, visit www.pi-usa.us.

 

You might also like

Filed Under: Integrated Linear Systems, Stages + gantries Tagged With: physikinstrumente, pi

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

LEARNING CENTER

Design World Learning Center
“lmt
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for Design Engineering Professionals.
“linear

RSS Motion Control Tips

  • igus one-piece energy chain targets compact cable routing
  • EtherCAT meets CRA Level 2, higher-security options in work
  • Elmo debuts new Titanium line and Platinum servo drives at SPS 2025
  • AutomationDirect adds new soft starters and smart motor starters
  • Vert-X 26-series angle sensors are robust and accurate

RSS Featured White Papers

  • Robotic Automation is Indispensable for the Logistics Industry’s Continued Growth and Success
  • Reliable Linear Motion For Packaging Machines
  • Technical Brief – “Understanding the Extensive Benefits of Total Linear Positioning Systems.”

Footer

Linear Motion Tips

Design World Network

Design World Online
The Robot Report
Coupling Tips
Motion Control Tips
Bearing Tips
Fastener Engineering
Wire and Cable Tips

Linear Motion Tips

Subscribe to our newsletter
Advertise with us
Contact us
About us

Copyright © 2026 · WTWH Media LLC and its licensors. All rights reserved.
The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media.

Privacy Policy