News
Integrated XY Linear Stage Family, Single Module Design: 4”, 8”, 12” Travel
POSTED 11/21/2019
2-Axis precision motion is available with low-profile integrated designs, in 3 travel ranges, with a choice of 3-phase linear motors, or recirculating ball screw drives, new from PI.
Auburn, MA – In addition to their popular Air Bearing planar XY stages, a series of integrated XY stages with mechanical bearings is offered by global leader in precision motion systems, PI (Physik Instrumente). These integrated XY stages, engineered for higher loads, are available with 3-phase linear direct-drive motors for higher speed and ball screws for higher push/pull forces, respectively. Available with nanometer resolution linear encoders, these XY stages are well-suited for applications in biotechnology, industrial automation, laser processing, and flat panel display testing and manufacturing.
Family of integrated XY motion stages
Integrated Design
The integrated mechanical design allows for a lower profile and improved geometric performance, when compared to modular XY-stage assemblies of two single axis translation stages bolted together. Due to the improved support, planar XY linear tables are stiffer and flex less compared to XY-combinations of single axis linear stages, especially when the individual axes are moved to their extreme positions.
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The ball-screw variants – L-731, L-738, and L-741 – can be powered by stepper motors and servo motors, respectively. The direct-drive, linear-motor variants – V-731, V-738, and V-741 – are driven by an ironless 3-phase motor for cogging-free ultra-smooth motion, for highest demands on precision. Ironless motors allow smoother, vibration-free running over a wide velocity range. Both 3 stage families provide sensor resolution from 0.1µm to 0.001µm, with mechanical position repeatability to 0.05µm.
For even higher accuracy and motion performance, air bearing XY-stages such as the A-311 / A-322 PIGlide models are recommended and for XY-pick and place with high precision, direct drive linear gantry stages, as shown in the video below.
Video: Linear XY and XYZ Gantries and other examples of highly engineered motion systems.