Universal IGM Machine Platform

Design Features

• Custom-engineered designs with linear motion components integrated directly into a granite structure
• Machine base with integrated control electronics
• Touchscreen machine operator interface
• Isolation system minimizes the effects of external vibrations and disturbances
• Hidden cable management system offers clean appearance, ideal for OEM applications
• Design is scalable based on application requirements for travel length, payload and dynamic performance

IGM motion platforms are available with the added convenience of electronics-integrated machine bases. Housing the electronics in the system base simplifies system wiring and startup and offers a clean, professional appearance. An isolation subsystem serves to decouple the granite motion platform from the machine base and protects the customer’s process from floor vibration.

Because they are specifically engineered to meet a customer’s application requirements, IGM motion systems represent the pinnacle of design flexibility. From drive and bearing type selection to system layout and arrangement, IGM systems are available with a wide variety of value-adding accessories and state-of-the-art control electronics. Aerotech’s motion engineers regularly custom-tailor IGM systems to meet unique technical and commercial application requirements.

The integrated nature of an IGM system results in unique technical benefits. The granite structure is able to offer increased stiffness over traditional stages in certain situations, contributing to improved dynamic performance. Further, the simplified structural design serves to reduce the axis profile and minimize design offsets, resulting in a reduction in Abbe errors and therefore more accurate motion at the desired workpoint.

See our case study for a comparison of an IGM system versus a traditional stage-on-granite system.