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Aerotech's Ensemble™ range of advanced multi-axis motion controllers has been expanded with the newly launched Epaq MR series featuring a flexible choice of up to eight servo or micro-stepping drives housed in a 19-inch 3U rack and complete with power supplies and connectors for motor power, feedback and expandable machine I/O. There is also provision to add up to two further external drives using the built-in high-speed AeroNet serial interface for a total of 10 axes of coordinated motion.

The PC-based MotionPAC is a single development environment machine controller that combines an industry standard PLC engine with IEC61131-3 programming capabilities and Aerotech’s sophisticated multi-axis motion engine to provide best possible control of moving axes. Programming options such as adding custom function blocks using Microsoft’s .NET Framework, or running AeroBASIC programs directly on the controller and interfacing with other interface software such as LabVIEW give the operator flexibility.

Aerotech continues to improve and innovate its direct-drive rotary stage capability with the new APR mechanical bearing series which offers positional accuracy to 1.5 arc-sec and axial load capacity up to 450 kg. Aimed at high precision rotary positioning for applications such as precision component testing, optical calibration systems, laser micromachining and sub-micron metrology, the APR's brushless direct-drive technology easily outperforms traditional worm/wheel stages, delivering considerably smoother and higher speeds, much improved angular precision.

The VTS300 accurately positions loads up to 450 kg (1000 lb) with 0.064 µm resolution, and the small volume allows the positioning of heavy loads in space-constricted applications. Typical applications range from step and settle placement to large force generation. Multiple units can be combined for lift and tip/tilt motion.

ANT95-R Direct-Drive Rotary Stages

Aerotech ANT95-R direct-drive rotary stages are part of Aerotech’s nano Motion Technology product family and offer unprecedented in-position stability (0.05 arc sec) and incremental motion (0.1 arc sec) performance. They are designed for compatibility and easy integration with Aerotech’s ANT series and together these stages provide accuracy, stability, and small size performance capability for nanomanufacturing and inspection.

ANT180-L Direct-Drive Linear Stages

The ANT180-L linear, crossed-roller, direct-drive stages are driven by a high-power linear motor with ironless forcer and U-channel magnet track. The stage reaches a peak unloaded acceleration of 2 g and maximum velocity of 500 mm/s. The ironless forcer is a cog-free design that provides exceptional velocity control.

AGS1500 Cartesian Gantry

AGS1500 series Cartesian gantries offer precise, high-dynamic contouring in a planar design that minimizes dynamic pitch errors at the workpoint. The AGS1500 reaches speeds of 3 m/s and accelerations of 5 g and dual linear motors and encoders are included on the lower axis for the highest level of performance and precision. The rugged noncontact optical linear encoders offer resolutions to 1 nm.

Advanced Motion Systems for Defense, Aerospace, and National Security Brochure

The newly released brochure highlights motion simulators, advanced system controls, test systems, vacuum systems, prototype development systems, and high performance rotary and linear stages and gantries. Products include those designed for angular testing and calibration of satellite sensors, missile seeker gimbals, inertial navigation guidance units, optical pointing and target tracking, and more. Free hard copies or a downloadable pdf are available. Get your free hard copy or download the pdf today.

ANT130-XY NanoTranslation, Dual Axis, Cross-Roller Bearing Linear Stage

Aerotech’s ANT130-XY dual-axis stage continues the evolution of the ANT series of nano Motion Technology stages. The ANT130-XY is a three-piece design that employs crossed-roller-bearings and direct-drive linear motors and allows travel in two dimensions (X and Y), with an extremely low profile of only 85 mm. The stage comes with noncontact linear encoders, limits, and an integrated cable management system in travels of 60 x 60 mm, 110 x 110 mm, or 160 x 160 mm. The ANT130-XY features 1 nm resolution, 50 nm repeatability, 250 nm accuracy, and 3 nm in-position stability.

Harmonic Cancellation Algorithm Improves Motion Control Systems

The performance of motion control systems with periodic trajectory commands or disturbances can be substantially improved using Aerotech’s Harmonic Cancellation algorithm. It can be used to either reduce the unwanted higher-harmonics in single frequency commands (lower the total harmonic distortion of the input signal), or to better track more complex arbitrary waveforms. The Harmonic Cancellation algorithm is just one of the user-friendly advanced servo algorithms and tuning tools found in Aerotech’s Dynamic Controls Toolbox.

High-Precision Pan and Tilt Mounts

Aerotech has launched the APT series pan and tilt positioner with integrated drives and motion controls for high-end camera security, surveillance, and defence applications. The high precision rotary stage mechanics and sophisticated motion controls fulfill a market niche for camera positioning mounts with much higher levels of resolution, accuracy, and repeatability than traditional pan and tilt mechanisms. The APT series includes built-in electronics using Aerotech Ensemble™ MP series motion controls and brushless servomotor drives for a completely integrated design. The APT provides continuous 360º rotation of the pan-axis and a tilt-axis travel range of +/-95º.

Engineered Motion Control Systems

Aerotech’s extensive motion control and positioning system experience permit us to provide systems tailor-made for our customers’ operations, at the same time as utilising the most accurate, highest performance motion control and positioning components available. Our custom-engineered motion control systems extend from those for medical, automotive, laboratory, packaging, semiconductor, photonics and fibreoptics, laser processing, and more.

PRO165LM Linear Motor Stage

Our PRO165LM is a high-performance linear motor stage that is accurate and versatile. Making the PRO165LM the stage of choice in industrial applications is a linear motion guide bearing system and high-performance, zero-cogging, brushless linear servomotor providing outstanding contour accuracy and smooth velocity profiling. This stage is ideal for laser machining and medical component manufacturing or other high accuracy applications.

Enhanced Throughput Module (ETM) Improves Positioning Performance

Aerotech's new ETM (Enhanced Throughput Module) combines sensor measured micro-displacement and a user friendly GUI that identifies and helps to reduce unwanted machine base and frame motion in high precision, high performance positioning systems. By optimising point to point move settling times and minimising dynamic position errors for high speed contouring, the ETM allows high and ultra-high resolution positioning systems to realise improved throughput and enhanced parts quality.

Automation Control Solutions Brochure

Aerotech's Automation Control Solutions brochure highlights our complete lines of high-performance automation controllers and software, drives, linear and rotary motors, and the benefits and features of each. Get your free hard copy or download the pdf today.

Digital Servo Amplifiers - Our Ndrive Series

Offered in both PWM and linear versions, Ndrive^® digital servo amplifiers are capable of controlling brushless, DC brush, and stepper motors over a wide range of operating voltages and currents. The Ndrive series amplifiers use high-performance double-precision processors to generate ultra-smooth motion profiles, and the drives perform both current- and position-loop closures digitally. Output ranges from 10 A peak to 150 A peak at 320 VDC.

New Nanotechnology Motion Solutions

Aerotech is advancing the state-of-the-art in nanotechnology positioning with products that provide nanometer accuracy, resolution, repeatability, and in-position stability. Our newest nano motion technology products offer extreme performance for nanotechnology research, as well as positioning applications that require nanometer accuracy in a 24/7 manufacturing environment.

Capabilities in Laser Processing and Micromachining Brochure

View Aerotech's Laser Processing and Micromachining brochure for details about our high-performance motion solutions for laser micromachining, cutting, welding, marking and engraving, drilling, ablation, cladding, and peening. A wide variety of single- and multi-axis linear, rotary, lift, and goniometric stages, plus complete motion subsystems are included in the brochure, along with advanced control capabilities such as our Position Synchronized Output (PSO) feature.

LaserTurn^® 1 is a Winner of The 2008 Control Engineering Engineers' Choice Award

An ideal platform for the manufacture of cardiovascular and neural stents, the LaserTurn^® 1 cylindrical laser machining system supports material from 0.1 mm to 7.9 mm in diameter. This complete motion and material-handling subsystem combines automated material-handling functionality with high-performance direct-drive linear and rotary motion.

PRO Series Linear Stages

PRO series linear stages feature a hard cover and side-sealed design with eight models from which to choose. Competitive pricing is coupled with Aerotech’s reputation for high-quality linear motion devices to make the PRO series the ideal choice for your application.

Automation Control Solutions Brochure

Aerotech's new Automation Control Solutions brochure highlights our complete lines of high-performance automation motion controllers and software, drives (amplifiers), linear and rotary motors, and the benefits and features of each. Get your free hard copy or download the pdf today.

AGS15000 Linear Motor Gantry

The AGS15000 series of Cartesian gantry systems is designed for ultra-precision, high-dynamic contouring, providing outstanding performance and versatility in a wide range of automation platforms. The planar design minimizes dynamic pitch errors at the workpoint.

Planar_HD High Dynamic Air-Bearing Motion Platform

Aerotech’s extensive history and experience in motion system design has culminated in the development of the Planar_HD “high dynamic” air-bearing motion platform for semiconductor wafer processing. Every component and design feature has been selected to provide the highest possible dynamic performance for applications requiring extremely high throughput while maintaining very tight geometric characteristics.

The Aerotech EtherNet/IP™Interface

The Aerotech EtherNet/IP™ interface enables Allen-Bradley PLCs to be integrated directly with Aerotech’s Ensemble and Soloist motion controllers.

EPICS Drivers

Motion Designer Saves High-Level Program Development and Enhances Your System’s Performance

This brochure showcases Aerotech’s Motion Designer, an easy to use software GUI for generating or importing motion trajectories, and running and then evaluating the trajectory. Motion Designer saves high-level program development and enhances your system’s performance.

Aerotech Sponsored Webcast: Precision Motion System Design

Ensemble™ Wins Semiconductor International Editors' Choice Best Product 2008 Award

We are pleased to announce that Aerotech's Ensemble™ Stand-Alone, Multi-Axis Motion Controller has been chosen as one of 2008's best products by the editors of Semiconductor International magazine. We appreciate this recognition and will continue to design and manufacture motion control and positioning products that help our customers retain a competitive advantage.

ALS130H Linear Motor Stage

The ALS130H, with its sub-nanometer resolution, superior bi-directional repeatability, and exceptional low-velocity performance, is the unparalleled solution for high performance test, measurement, inspection, and other demanding applications.

ARMS Series Direct-Drive Rotary Motion Simulators

Aerotech’s ARMS series direct-drive rotary motion simulators provide superior angular rates, accelerations, and positioning for the testing of inertial components and systems such as MEMS, gyroscopes, inertial measurement units, avionics, and accelerometers.

Aerotech’s Nanotranslation Crossed-Roller (ANT-LX) stages are the best in class in combining speed, accuracy, resolution, repeatability, reliability, and size. Features such as 5 g acceleration, 500 mm/s velocity, enhanced load capacity, and standardized, universal base mounting patterns allow the use of this flexible stage family in a wide range of applications.

SolarScribe Photovoltaic Panel Scribing System

The SolarScribe automation series is the most comprehensive photovoltaic panel scribing system available today. It includes both mechanical and air-bearing versions of split-axis and gantry-style systems for maximum application flexibility.

The PRO165 is a rugged, value-driven linear stage from Aerotech that is ideal for applications requiring debris protection and medium travel, mid-tier positioning performance. It is similar in design to the PRO115 series, providing additional load carrying capability with larger bearings and a wider cross-section.

The AOM110 series optical mounts have a gimbal design at a low cost. The narrow profile design of these optical mounts permits maximum clear aperture at 45°. The axes are decoupled and orthogonal; crosstalk and iterative adjustments are eliminated. For your convenience, the AOM110 series is part of our Fast Delivery Service (FDS) program.

The ABL1500 linear-motor-driven air-bearing stage incorporates an active preload on both the vertical and horizontal surfaces. It provides outstanding stiffness that is ideal for heavy or offset loading. The BLMC series brushless linear servomotor utilizes an ironless forcer for zero cogging, no attractive forces, and unsurpassed smoothness of motion.

WaferMax T Wins Semiconductor International 2007 Editors' Choice Best Product Award

We are pleased to announce that the editors of Semiconductor International magazine have chosen Aerotech's WaferMax T direct-drive rotary stage as one of 2007's Best Products. For more information, go HERE. To see Aerotech’s award, go HERE.

Fast Delivery Service — Stages, Motors, and Controllers When You Need Them

Aerotech’s Fast Delivery Service (FDS) provides our customers with quick turnaround times on selected Aerotech stages, motors, and controllers. Turnaround times are under 10 days for stages, and under 5 days for motors and controllers.

Aerotech’s latest brochure, Advanced Electromechanical Systems for Aerospace, Defense, and Government, showcases our extensive lines of motion simulators, multi-axis gimbal systems, single- and multi-axis positioning systems, and advanced control systems.

Aerotech's ALAR series direct-drive rotary stages provide superior angular positioning and velocity control with exceptionally large apertures. With the combination of a large aperture and direct-drive motor, the ALAR series offers significant performance benefits versus worm-drive large aperture stages.

ABRS Series Air-Bearing Rotary Stages

ABRS series direct-drive, air-bearing rotary stages have been optimized to minimize stage height. The low profile of the stages reduces the effective working height of the system, minimizing “stack-up” related errors. In addition, the ABRS series provides a clear aperture that can be used for product feed-through, laser beam delivery, cable clearance, or application-specific requirements.

Ensemble™ Epaq is a stand-alone controller with up to six axes of motion control in one integrated package. It offers functionality appropriate for applications from basic laboratory experimentation and general purpose positioning to advanced OEM systems at an affordable price. The flexible configuration style allows users to seamlessly mix and match drive types (linear versus PWM, brush or brushless, stepper, etc.) within the same positioning system using a common programming and control platform.

AMG position and rate gimbal mounts are direct-drive and provide ultra-precise angular position, rate, and acceleration for directing optics, lasers, antennas, and sensors at high speed to very precise pointing angles. Typical applications include missile seeker test and calibration, LIDAR, electro-optical sensor and FLIR testing, airborne targets tracking, optical testing of space-based sensors in a vacuum, and angular testing of inertial sensors such as gyros, MEMS, accelerometers, and inertial reference units.