AOM360D Gimbal

Description

Design Features

  • Continuous 360 degree rotation of both axes
  • High axis positioning accuracy and repeatability
  • Low axis wobble and orthogonality
  • Direct-drive brushless servomotors
  • High accuracy induction feedback
  • Cog-free design for outstanding velocity stability
  • Accommodates loads up to 500 mm diameter
  • Vacuum-compatible versions available

Aerotech's AOM360D series of positioning gimbal mounts provides ultra-precise elevation-over-azimuth positioning. The finest quality motors, bearings and transducers are incorporated into precision-machined housings to ensure peak performance.

The AOM360D series positioning gimbal mounts are ideal for automatic testing of components that must be precisely positioned in azimuth and elevation, such as sensors and optics. Other applications include calibration, laser beam steering, target acquisition and tracking, camera and telescope scanning and pointing.

Accurate 360° Positioning

Direct-drive brushless torque motors, incorporating rare-earth magnets and high-accuracy transducers, are coupled directly to precision shafts for accurate and smooth 360° continuous motion. The absence of gear trains and other drive mechanisms eliminates position error contributions due to mechanical hysteresis and backlash. Directly-coupled high-resolution inductosyn position transducers ensure highly accurate and repeatable positioning with gimbal accuracy down to ±5 µrad (±1 arc sec).

Superior Mechanical Design Features

Large diameter, matched-set ABEC-7 bearings maximize performance with respect to wobble, moment stiffness and rotating friction. A thick-walled, precision-ground shaft further minimizes wobble. The large diameter bearing permits large payloads without compromising performance. Three tapped holes with leveling screws provide a convenient means to align the gimbal axes with the optical axis.

Mirror and Alternate Payload Accommodation

A variety of mirror cell diameters are available for standard optic applications. We also provide for custom payload attachment solutions to accommodate various device interfaces. Each gimbal mirror cell can be modified or replaced with different shaped cells to accommodate sensors or other odd shaped payloads. We understand customer payloads vary and our engineers have a variety of solutions to implement offset CG payloads.

Direct-Drive Motors for Outstanding Control

To maximize positioning performance, AOM360D optical mounts utilize Aerotech’s S-series brushless, slotless servomotors. This motor has all of the advantages of a brushless direct-drive motor – no brushes to wear, no gear trains to maintain and high acceleration and high speeds. Since it is a slotless, ironless design, there is zero cogging, meaning that there is absolutely no torque ripple. This results in smoother motion throughout travel and more precise positioning.

Application Examples

AOM360D Video Tracking AOM360D Telescope Positioning AOM360D Laser Scanning, Aiming or Tracking

Specifications

Specifications

ModelAOM360D-20AOM360D-30AOM360D-40AOM360D-50
Travel 360° continuous, both azimuth and elevation
Clear Aperture Diameter(1) 193.5 mm 292.1 mm 393.7 mm 489.0 mm
Mechanical Drive System Direct-Drive Brushless Servomotor
Accuracy(3) ±10 µrad (±2 arc sec) ±10 µrad (±2 arc sec) ±5 µrad (±1 arc sec) ±5 µrad (±1 arc sec)
Repeatability ±2.5 µrad (±0.5 arc sec) ±2.5 µrad (±0.5 arc sec) ±2.5 µrad (±0.5 arc sec) ±2.5 µrad (±0.5 arc sec)
Resolution 0.27 µrad (±0.055 arc sec)
Feedback Inductosyn (7 in diameter; 720 poles) Inductosyn (12 in diameter; 720 poles)
Maximum Rotary Speed(2) 100 rpm 100 rpm 50 rpm 50 rpm
Maximum Load Parameters Diameter 203.2 mm 304.8 mm 406.6 mm 508.0 mm
Thickness 40.6 mm 53.3 mm 63.5 mm 88.9 mm
Weight 20 kg 20.0 kg 50.0 kg 50.0 kg
Axis Wobble Azimuth 14.6 µrad (3 arc sec)
Elevation 24.3 µrad (5 arc sec)
Orthogonality 48.5 µrad (10 arc sec); 12 µrad (2 arc sec) optional
AZ Motor Type S-180-69-A S-180-69-A S-240-63-A S-240-63-A
EL Motor Type S-180-44-A S-180-44-A S-240-63-A S-240-63-A
Mass 84 kg 91 kg 208 kg 234 kg
AZ Inertia 1.21 kg-m2 2.07 kg-m2 7.48 kg-m2 11.71 kg-m2
EL Inertia 0.033 kg-m2 0.033 kg-m2 0.24 kg-m2 0.70 kg-m2
Material Steel AZ housing and yoke; Aluminum EL housing and mirror cell
Standard Finish Paint: Textured Epoxy (Polane-T), Pebble Grey Color
  1. Special cell adapters and slip ring assemblies available by special order.
  2. Maximum speed based on stage capability. Maximum application velocity may be limited by system data rate and system resolution.
  3. Requires Aerotech controls and axis calibration.
  • Custom AOM360D

Dimensions

  • AOM360D-20
  • AOM360D-30
  • AOM360D-40
  • AOM360D-50

Ordering Information

Ordering Example

AOM360D -20 (Opt.)/

Ordering Options

ModelCell DiameterStage & Assembly Options
AOM360D -20
-30
-40
-50		 -VAC3
-VAC6 

AOM360D Series Optical Mount

OptionDescription
AOM360D-20 AZ-EL, 360° continuous positioning mount for 200 mm diameter load; includes direct drive, slotless motors and ND50 inductosyn for both axes
AOM360D-30 AZ-EL, 360° continuous positioning mount for 300 mm diameter load; includes direct drive, slotless motors and ND50 inductosyn for both axes
AOM360D-40 AZ-EL, 360° continuous positioning mount for 400 mm diameter load; includes direct drive, slotless motors and ND50 inductosyn for both axes
AOM360D-50 AZ-EL, 360° continuous positioning mount for 500 mm diameter load; includes direct drive, slotless motors and ND50 inductosyn for both axes

Options

OptionDescription
VAC3 Vacuum preparation of stage to 10-3 torr
VAC6 Vacuum preparation of stage to 10-6 torr