AOM360D Direct-Drive 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



Specifications
AOM360D Specifications
Model | AOM360D-20 | AOM360D-30 | AOM360D-40 | AOM360D-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 | ||||
Mass | 84 kg | 91 kg | 208 kg | 234 kg | |
AZ Inertia | 1.62 kg-m2 | 2.5 kg-m2 | 9 kg-m2 | 12.53 kg-m2 | |
EL Inertia | 0.019 kg-m2 | 0.105 kg-m2 | 0.27 kg-m2 | 0.974 kg-m2 | |
Material | Steel AZ housing and yoke; Aluminum EL housing and mirror cell | ||||
Standard Finish | Paint: Textured Epoxy (Polane-T), Pebble Grey Color |
- Special cell adapters and slip ring assemblies available by special order.
- Maximum speed based on stage capability. Maximum application velocity may be limited by system data rate and system resolution.
- Requires Aerotech controls and axis calibration.
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Custom AOM360D

Dimensions
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AOM360D-20 Enlarge Image
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AOM360D-30 Enlarge Image
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AOM360D-40 Enlarge Image
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AOM360D-50 Enlarge Image
Ordering Information
AOM360D Series Optical Mount
Cell Size (Required)
Option | Description |
---|---|
-200 | 200 mm diameter cell |
-300 | 300 mm diameter cell |
-400 | 400 mm diameter cell |
-500 | 500 mm diameter cell |
Integration (Required)
Aerotech offers both standard and custom integration services to help you get your system fully operational as quickly as possible. The following standard integration options are available for this system. Please consult Aerotech if you are unsure what level of integration is required, or if you desire custom integration support with your system. | |
-TAS | Integration - Test as system Testing, integration, and documentation of a group of components as a complete system that will be used together (ex: drive, controller, and stage). This includes parameter file generation, system tuning, and documentation of the system configuration. |
-TAC | Integration - Test as components Testing and integration of individual items as discrete components. This is typically used for spare parts, replacement parts, or items that will not be used or shipped together (ex: stage only). These components may or may not be part of a larger system |