Posted to News on 29th Mar 2016, 19:47
New hexapod guarantees positioning accuracy specifications
Aerotech says its new HexGen hexapods represent a significant advance in six-degree-of-freedom positioning performance. The HEX500-350HL high-load, precision hexapod is suitable for applications in X-ray diffraction, sensor testing, and high-load device manipulation.
With its high capacity, large travels, high speeds, and sub-micrometre precision, the HEX500-350HL means there is no need to compromise on application specifications. The HEX500-350HL is claimed to be the only hexapod on the market today that provides guaranteed positioning accuracy specifications.
The HEX500-350HL is actuated with six high-accuracy struts that are built with precision preloaded bearings, ball screws and drive components. Unlike competitive hexapods driven by DC brushed servomotors, the HEX500-350HL is driven by AC brushless, slotless servomotors that maximise device lifetime and performance. The servomotors are directly coupled to the actuator ball screw, resulting in increased drive stiffness, higher positioning accuracy and better minimum incremental motion (20nm in XYZ and 0.2¼rad for xyz) when compared with competitive designs that use belts or compliant couplings. The strut pivot-joints are engineered to provide low friction and high stiffness to enhance overall hexapod performance.
Aerotech's HEX500-350HL is designed with versatility and customisation in mind. The platform and base can be easily modified with user-specific features or mounting patterns. The HEX500-350HL is designed with a 150mm diameter clear aperture in both the platform and base to allow for workpiece access from the bottom. The base is designed with mounting holes to adapt directly to Imperial or metric optical tables. The hexapod can also be vacuum-prepared for demanding applications in synchrotron sample or optics adjustment, semiconductor manufacturing and inspection, or satellite sensor testing.
Driving the HEX500-350HL is Aerotech's award-winning A3200 motion control software. Built on years of experience in difficult kinematics applications, the A3200 controller enables easy programming and control of the hexapod in any user-defined co-ordinate system. Aerotech's HexGen software gives the user the ability to easily visualise and simulate the available workspace.
Follow the link for the HEX500-350HL series data sheet and to watch a short video.
