Positioning Stages, Slides and Guides Reference Materials

Description: A common misconception is that the resolution of the linear actuator must also be its accuracy. For example, if a digital readout displays to four decimal places (0.0001), then it must also be ...

Description: Rotary Table Accuracy - Glossary of terms ...

Description: The smallest achievable positioning increment that can be achieved by the motion control system ...

Description: Effectively automating any industrial operation, test procedure, or prototype process involving motion requires determining the movement precision needed to yield acceptable results. ...

Description: Terminology of Critical Requirements for Motion Systems used in DNA Sequencers ...

Description: The LISA Project, led by ESA and supported by NASA and other space agencies, is a scientific endeavor to detect and study gravitational waves from space. ...

Description: How to select the best XY stage and stage inset for your Nucleus MVR or third-party microscope. ...

Description: Modern image stabilization technology to the rescue ...

Description: Hexapod motion platforms provide a good basis to compensate for motion in 6 degrees of freedom. ...

Description: "What makes magnetic levitation so unique is the contactless virtual bearing we can achieve within our control system." Our expert on parallel kinematics and magnetic drives, Dr. Christian Rudolf, ...

Description: Most of us are familiar with genetic identification for forensic and ancestry investigations, but there are numerous use cases of DNA in biochemistry and nanotechnology which receive much less ...

Description: n this interview, Nikta Jalayer, Director of Business Development, talks about how the engineers at PI's Silicon Valley Tech Center solved the first light detection problem in photonics alignment. ...

Description: Consider the general problem of describing to a computer-controlled machine the specific motion it should produce. ...

Description: High-throughput analysis of live cells and unparalleled reagent efficiency and process control can reduce reagent consumption and experiment time by orders of magnitude compared to traditional ...

Description: Introduction to TDI Imaging ...

Description: There are many optics and metrology-related applications which require a stable work surface in an unstable environment, whether that environment is vibrating, in an aircraft, on a vessel at sea, or ...

Description: Parallel kinematics positioning systems are available for high vacuum and high accuracy applications. Use of vacuum compatible material, drives, and sensors was discussed. With linear guided hexapod ...

Description: Fast Scanning and Characterization at Wafer Level ...

Description: In the production of chips and microchips, it is necessary to separate the individual dies from the wafer. In this process, quality and precision are crucial for all further post-fab operations. Laser ...

Description: It can be easy to set up the exact gimbal required when using off-the-shelf modular hardware with well-integrated software and electronics. This combination streamlines the configuration process and ...

Description: There are a wide variety of types of linear stages, using different types of controls, motors, bearings, and drive components. This allows users to find a good fit for their application, but it takes ...

Description: Combined Motion Technologies for High Precision, High Aspect Ratio and Fast Drilling ...

Description: In this blog article, we are reporting on new applications of miniature six-axis hexapod positioning systems in the realm of structured microscopy, fabrication of optical elements, and radionuclide ...

Description: Vibration reduction is vital for various motion control applications, such as labs where it prevents spills on costly equipment or in high-precision microscopy tasks, where even small vibrations can ...

Description: To make linear motor stages suitable for vertical applications, the addition of a counterbalance is required to compensate for the weight of the stage's moving mass and payload. In this article, we ...

Description: Growing popularity and usage in applications requiring precision motion control have also sparked a reduction in the cost of the technology and made linear motors a more economical option for many ...

Description: For applications like microscopy where minute vibrations will result in a blurry image, waiting for vibrations to decay can significantly increase the overall time it takes to perform a move. ...

Description: Why use a counterbalance? ...

Description: It can be a confusing process selecting the best rotary stage from a list of specifications, some of which may not be important depending on the intended use. ...

Description: In this concept, magnetic levitation is used as multi-axis precision positioning concept based on non-contact propulsion and guiding principles. High performance motion control algorithms, low noise ...

Description: Now adding a Diverter Arm or Conveyor Stop to your conveyor is simple. ...

Description: Magnetic levitation, often referred to as maglev, is a frictionless motion technology that uses magnetic fields to levitate and propel objects. It is used in various applications, best known from ...

Description: Emerging technologies like Quantum Communications, Quantum Computing, Nanosats, LIDAR, optical logic, as well as the need to process, store, and convey more data at higher speeds is relying heavily on ...

Description: In this brief, we will review the present state of ball screw technology and provide insight into the factors that drive their performance. Let’s begin with a definition of the device. ...

Description: This brief will describe how mineral casting is utilized and will review the impressive technical, economic, and environmental benefits it brings to machine builders and their customers. ...

Description: To fulfill these needs, linear motion suppliers such as SCHNEEBERGER are building motion solutions that simply plug into the OEM’s equipment – enabling considerable savings of engineering ...

Description: Granite-based XY-Theta positioning stages with direct-drive motors and air bearings for ultra-high precision 3-axis motion ...

Description: High Performance XYT 3-Axis Assemblies with Industrial Automation Controllers for Machine Builders ...

Description: High-Speed Precision for 3-D Images ...

Description: New techniques require high precision with minuscule scanning dimensions ...

Description: High Performance Motion Systems with Industrial Automation Controllers for Machine Builders ...

Description: When it comes to situations where a high-performance multi-axis positioning system with 4, 5, and 6-axis motorized stages is required, the traditional approach of stacking individual single-axis ...

Description: The manufacturing of a high-performance industrial camera is a complex process that requires a lot more than the use of fasteners, connectors, and adhesives to integrate all electrical and mechanical ...

Description: Understanding of the use of PILine® precision motion stages in strong magnetic fields, or in environments where the drive needs to behave neutrally in a magnetic sense. ...

Description: Let's look at what linear stages are and what they do. ...

Description: Differences and Similarities of High Precision Multi-Axis Positioning Systems Concepts ...

Description: Improving Quality in Laser SEam Welding of Electronic Packages with Galvo Scanners ...

Description: Display Technologies in Comparison: LCD - LED - OLED - MicroLED ...

Description: When evaluating nanopositioners and their performance, interpreting published specifications from multiple vendors always is challenging. Differences in definitions or units of measurement can make it ...

Description: OCT has long been used in ophthalmology but recently also finds growing application in dermatology, for example to fight skin cancer. In comparison to conventional invasive diagnostic measures, OCT ...

Description: Load and Inertia are the Enemy: The Parallels of Precision Automation and Performance Cars ...

Description: Viruses, especially emerging and re-emerging positive-sense single-stranded RNA ((+)ssRNA) viruses, such as the severe acutre respiratory syndrome coronavirus - 2 (SARS-CoV-2), have caused several ...

Description: Having been predicted by physicists in the early 20th century, it wasn't until the turn of the 21st century that the laser became a standard tool for material scientists and engineers ...

Description: True Planar Motion - What is a Planar XY Stage? ...

Description: While we often talk about the importance of keeping contamination out of linear motion components such as linear guides and screws, when these systems are used in a cleanroom, the goal is just the ...

Description: Designers and engineers typically try to avoid or mitigate friction in linear motion systems. Although friction isn’t always bad — in some applications, it can provide a damping effect and ...

Description: Whether you’re new to designing and sizing linear motion systems, or you could just use a refresher, we’ve gathered all the articles that cover mechanical concepts used in linear motion ...

Description: Linear stage designs can range from long-stroke, high-load gantries to micropositioning and nanopositioning stages with light payloads. Although all linear stages are designed and constructed to ...

Description: Home improvements, and especially kitchen renovations, are hot topics in lifestyle TV shows and magazines. The focal point of most family’s homes is the kitchen. Selection for the countertop is ...

Description: We outline the top five points that engineers, maintenance technicians and service providers should consider when replacing linear profile rail systems. When a linear system has reached the end of its ...

Description: We offer motorized stages that can be assembled into many different configurations; for example, XY stages, XYZ stages. We list top 5 the most popular stage combinations here, but you can select your ...

Description: Linear guide systems include guide rails,slides and ways. Industry categorizes them into a few basic types as well — including profile rails, drawer slides, linear bearings, guide wheels and ...

Description: Linear motion is an area of motion control encompassing several technologies including linear motors, linear actuators, and linear rolling guides and bearings, among others. Traditional linear motors ...

Description: Most stages employ three primary types of guide mechanism for their precision positioning stages. Dovetail, Linear Ball, and Cross Roller guides compose most of the MISUMI product line. Each mechanism ...

Description: Positioning stages are differentiated by the means used to control the position of the stage platform, either by manual control, via a positional knob, or motor control, via a stepper motor. These are ...

Description: Selecting the right stage for your application can seem like a daunting task, especially with the variety available. An engineer might not want to spend too much time determining which stage to use ...

Description: Multi-axis precision motion at the micron or sub-micron level is required in many industrial automation processes as well as in test and metrology applications related to optics, photonics, ...

Description: In any motion system, understanding the type and direction of applied and resultant loads is important for determining bearing life and analyzing deflection. In linear motion systems, we typically use ...

Description: Algorithms, Motorized Fiber Positioners, and Automated Sub-Systems for Silicon Photonics and Optics Alignment ...

Description: How to Consistently Verify the Performance of Nanopositioning Motion Control Equipment ...

Description: The need for higher performance computing and data-communication speed has led to the advent of silicon photonics. In addition, to higher performance, silicon photonics can also reduce the power ...

Description: A manufacturer of a highly precise SLA style 3D printer needed to hold layer resolutions to an exacting level of 10 µm. The mechanical accuracy of the constant-force anti-backlash nut and ...

Description: The irregular work envelopes of traditional jointed articulating arms may require redesign of existing workspaces. SCARA and articulating arm robots might be the most recognizable form of robot on the ...

Description: Multi-axis linear systems come in a variety of designs, with Cartesian, gantry, and XY tables being some of the most common types. While these designs simplify construction and can provide space ...

Description: The first step in any automation project is to clearly define the objective — what process are you trying to accomplish or what output are you trying to produce? Once the process or output is ...

Description: Automation in the manufacturing industry is continuing to grow in demand and can be applied to nearly every application from processing, assembly, inspection to packaging. Gantries and 6-axis ...

Description: Machines that operate on Cartesian coordinate systems have been staples in factories for decades. 3D printers, laser-cutters, and CNC machines are examples of devices that use the same principle as ...

Description: Gantries differ from other types of multi-axis systems (such as Cartesian robots and XY tables) by using two base (X) axes in parallel, with a perpendicular (Y) axis connecting them. While this dual ...

Description: In Part 1 of this post, we looked at various methods of driving the X axes in gantry systems and how the drive method can influence the gantry’s tendency to experience racking. Another factor ...

Description: Gantries differ from other types of multi-axis systems (such as Cartesian robots and XY tables) by using two base (X) axes in parallel, with a perpendicular (Y) axis connecting them. While this dual ...

Description: Designing comprehensive automation for high-speed pick-and-place applications is among the most challenging tasks faced by motion engineers. As robotic systems become more complex and production rates ...

Description: This XZ gantry incorporates a rack drive in the slide, eliminating the need for a separate rack. The Z axis telescopes, useful when overhead height is limited. ...

Description: When positioning-system manufacturers build a gantry system, they typically use special alignment tools during the assembly process to ensure they meet force, precision, and life specifications. Laser ...

Description: Linear motors offer precise positioning and highly dynamic response for many motion-control tasks. For machine tools, these include not only rapid traverse, but slow, constant-speed movement of ...

Description: From packaging and material handling to semiconductor fabrication and automotive assembly, virtually all manufacturing processes incorporate some type of linear motion, and as manufacturers become ...

Description: NANOPOSITIONER APPLICATIONS, UTILITY, AND FUNCTIONALITY OFTEN ARE MISUNDERSTOOD - TO THE DETRIMENT OF RESEARCHERS WHOSE EXPERIMENTS MIGHT BENEFIT FROM THE STABILITY, PRECISION, AND REPEATABILITY THESE ...

Description: Highly precise linear positioning systems, such as those used to focus and scan in measuring and inspection equipment often need two different motion modes ...

Description: Electronic, optic, computer, inspection, automation, and laser industries require diverse positioning-system specifications. No one system is right for all. To ensure that a high-accuracy positioning ...

Description: Electronic, optic, computer, inspection, automation, and laser industries require diverse positioning-system specifications. ...

Description: Building motion actuators and stages from scratch forces designers to order, inventory, and assemble hundreds of parts. It also increases time to market and requires technicians and specialized ...

Description: Motion-control systems consist of three main components: the positioning mechanism, motor drive electronics, and motion controller. Each of these components should be carefully selected but for best ...

Description: Consider supports, guides, drives, and seals when designing a linear system. Know your precision, repeatability, loading, and environmental requirements before starting linear-system design. ...

Description: Load, Accuracy, Stroke, Controller, Driver and Supplier. ...

Description: Gone are the days when machine designers and builders had to choose between constructing their own linear system from scratch or settling for a limited range of pre-assembled systems that, in most ...

Description: Drones and crawling robots outfitted with special scanners could help wind blades stay in service longer, which could lower the cost of wind energy at a time when blades are getting bigger, pricier, ...

Description: Compared to a Cartesian robot, a SCARA or six-axis system will generally deliver higher performance out of the box at a higher cost and with greater programming requirements, but with a smaller ...

Description: Here are some tips on how to correctly specify and size a linear-motor-driven actuator using the mnemonic ACTUATOR-short for accuracy, capacity, travel length, usage, ambient environment, timing, ...

Description: A linear motion system is only as strong as the most compromising links in its chain of mechanical and electromechanical elements. Understanding each component and feature (and its impact on design ...

Description: Positioning stages and tables are used in motion control systems to hold down a work piece and/or to position it for some operation. Stages or tables, whether linear or rotary, are most often complete ...

Description: Positioning stages and tables are used in motion control systems to hold down a work piece and/or to position it for some operation. Stages or tables, whether linear or rotary, are most often complete ...