ALAR-SP Large Aperture Rotary Stages

Description

Design Features

• Offers an ideal balance of load capability, torque output & profile height, with large-diameter clear aperture up to 325 mm
• Supports large payloads & gimbal configurations thanks to high axial-, radial- & moment-load capacities
• Delivers extremely precise, high-torque, cog-free rotation with direct-drive motor
• Integrates easily into multi-axis systems & machines
• Provides long service life & consistent performance over time
• Available with absolute encoder option & limited travel for maximum payload security

Key Applications

ALAR-SP stages are best suited for applications including:

• Single- and multi-axis sensor testing
• Inertial navigation device qualification
• Missile seeker testing
• Antenna testing
• Photonic component alignment
• High-accuracy laser processing
• Precision wafer inspection
• Custom gimbal assemblies

Advantage: ALAR

ALAR-SP offers numerous advantages over worm-drive stages. Because ALAR stages use direct-drive torque motors, they are free from backlash, vibration, and excessive wear commonly associated with gear-driven stages, and they are also capable of much higher speeds and accelerations. These advantages translate to higher system accuracy, repeatability, and longevity, as well as greater throughput. Users can more precisely manufacture, inspect, or process more parts in less time, leading to lower operating costs and higher profits.

Brushless, Slotless Direct-Drive Motors

Aerotech’s brushless, direct-drive motors are featured in all ALAR stages. Because there are neither brushes to wear, nor gear trains or couplings to maintain, ALAR stages are capable of high speeds and accelerations, plus consistent, stable performance over time with zero backlash, windup, or hysteresis. Further, ALAR motors are both slotless and ironless, thereby eliminating cogging and torque ripple to deliver exceptionally smooth motion. ALAR stages are ideal for applications requiring outstanding contoured motion, smooth scan velocities, and precise, incremental steps.

High Payload Capacity and Moment-Load Stiffness

Large-diameter angular contact bearings provide high axial-, radial-, and moment-load capacities, maximizing positioning performance with respect to tilt error, stiffness, and rotating friction. ALAR-SP is capable of achieving the highest performance standards regardless of whether the axis of rotation is vertical or horizontal. Due to its ample moment-load capability, ALAR-SP is especially well-suited to carry cantilevered or offset payloads, when the center of gravity is shifted away from the axis of rotation.

Flexible Configurations for Simplified Integration

ALAR-SP is offered with features and options that facilitate easy integration into multi-axis motion systems and subsystems. It is available with a range of clear-aperture diameters from 100 mm to 325 mm, and also a variety of feedback options including analog 1 Vpp, digital RS422, and absolute encoders. Continuous 360-degree travel is standard, with available limited-travel options ranging from 10 degrees to 340 degrees. ALAR250SP and ALAR325SP can be configured with an even more powerful motor option for increased torque to more effectively rotate high-inertia payloads. ALAR-SP stages can even be adapted for use in vacuum environments.

Applications

Common applications for ALAR-SP stages include single- and multi-axis sensor testing, missile seeker testing, antenna testing, inertial navigation device testing, photonic component alignment, high-accuracy laser machining, and precision wafer inspection. ALAR-SP stages can also be configured as multi-axis gimbals. The large-diameter clear aperture and direct-drive motor make ALAR a better-performing alternative to more traditional worm-gear stages, especially in dynamic applications with high payloads.