Aerotech at Productronica 2021 in Munich

At Productronica 2021 (16-19 November), regarded as the world's leading trade fair for the development and production of electronics, Aerotech will present its IGM (Integrated Granite Motion Systems) multi-axis positioning system with integrated galvo scanner and the latest Automation1 control platform.

In addition, the manufacturer of high-performance motion control and positioning systems will showcase, in Booth B2.340, its comprehensive know-how in system solutions for the production of displays, LEDs and discrete components.

“In the electronics industry, Aerotech is known for its high-precision motion solutions for critical applications, including manufacturing systems for micronano production, including system peripherals, such as galvo scanners and control platforms,” states the company.

An IGM linear table with an AGV20HP galvo scanner and the new Automation1 control platform will be on display at the stand as a demo system.

Launched three years ago

Aerotech launched the IGM (Integrated Granite Motion Systems) linear stages only three years ago as an alternative to conventional positioning stages with granite substructures. “They offer significantly higher rigidity and thus more flexibility in design. The customised linear stages have already proven themselves many times over as practical in a wide variety of applications,” it adds.

Says Simon Smith, European director Aerotech, specifying the upcoming trade fair appearance: "We will be using the IGM linear table to show live how an electroforming scanner and several movement axes can be precisely controlled simultaneously."

Galvo scanner with unlimited field of view

By synchronising with other movement axes, the galvo scanner -shown here - can also process workpieces that are larger than its actual field of view – but the high processing quality is maintained. The proven IFOV function (Infinite Field of View) is available for improving the structural accuracy and for general error prevention – eg, in ‘classic’ stitching. Linear or rotational axes can be synchronised with the laser scanner in such a way that the scanner's field of view can theoretically be extended to infinity.

New Automation1 version

"At the same time, we will also focus on the latest version of our control software," adds Smith. “Automation1 - Precision Motion Control Platform. We have installed it as a demo system for visitors to the fair." The Automation1 is said to be much more than a mere ‘motion controller’, but also takes over the complete machine control with all components. The platform has its own software-based motion controller, which makes it easy to control different positioning systems, as well as connected components.

Higher precision in electronics production

Applications in the electronics industry include automation systems, precision laser processes, and test and inspection processes. One example of the use of Aerotech positioning systems from electronics manufacturing is the production of OLED displays. Here, optimal synchronisation between scanner and servo table movement is particularly important.

An additional advantage of controlling the scanner and servo table using a uniform hardware and software platform is that it minimises the dynamic errors of the servo stages. The execution of the cascading movements by means of a single integrated control algorithm enables the scanner to compensate for errors in the tracking of the servo stages in real time. “In this way, OLED display manufacturers have little to no loss of accuracy, compared to a separately controlled scanner system,” says Aerotech.

Emphasises Smith: "We will be happy to explain how such a system can be optimally synchronised to those interested in the trade at our trade fair stand. We are looking forward to numerous visitors and certainly many interesting discussions.”