Positioning stages for vacuum and other extreme environments

The motors and drives are used extensively in ultra-high vacuum, radiation hardened and cryogenic temperature positioning systems. Machine builders will note that through Mclennan they also have the ability to specify and deliver Phytron’s well proven motors as part of fully compatible linear translation and rotation stages from Vacuum Fab s.r.l. The Italian designer and manufacturer (and fellow Phytron distribution partner), specialises in challenging and extreme environment positioning mechanics for both research and industrial use: they have a range that extends across several product designs.

The vacuum compatible Phytron stepper motor driven range, which can be adapted for radiation or cryogenic environments, includes the compact VLSC series linear stages: a closed stainless steel framed design with linear caged ball-bearings for travel ranges from 12.5mm and 25 mm delivering nominal sub-micron precision through a stainless steel leadscrew and preloaded PEEK nut arrangement.

Also in stainless steel, the VLSB is an open framed, low-profile design aimed at entry level applications. Its recirculating ball bearing carrier supports loads to 150N and a helps deliver sub-micron precision and repeatability over a travel range of up to 250 mm. The VLSP series adds a second carriage option to a closed frame design and a choice of travel in various length options to 250 mm. Also, with an optional Renishaw linear scale the positional accuracy of the stage can be as low as 0.05 microns with the Phytron stepper motor in microstepping mode. For vacuum compatible rotary stages, the VRSP series includes a precision worm/wheel drive, and with a choice of open loop or integral absolute encoder feedback, resolution can be as high as 0.09 μrad. Vacuum Fab can deliver these stages as X, Y, Z and rotary stage assemblies, and also build vacuum compatible mirror mounts, filter wheels and other accessories for beam line applications.

For the most challenging UHV, radiation and cryogenic temperature environments, Vacuum Fab’s RodRail eXtreme motorised stainless steel linear stages combine narrow profile, light weight with modular flexibility for multi-axis configurations. Available in two sizes as the RRX-Micro and RRX-Nano series with profile widths of 46mm and 28 mm respectively, the open cage design provides high stiffness through four parallel recirculating rod-rail bearing supports. A stainless steel/PEEK leadscrew system provides repeatability to less than 1 micron in vacuum and 10 microns in cryogenic temperatures. Standard travel lengths available span 25 mm to 450 mm in several options. UHVC vacuum levels up to 10-9 torr at temperatures to more than 77 K can be specified.

In its role as a specialised motion component supplier and system integrator, and with the capability for in-house design and build, Mclennan says it has several years’ experience specifying and integrating Phytron’s standard and extreme grade motion components for industrial, vacuum, space and cryogenic applications. Mclennan confirms that Phytron’s standard range of motors and precision actuators (and its ability to custom engineer its motors for extreme applications) extends from industrial grade IP68 sealed stepper motors to extreme environment motors for use in almost all extreme environment areas where motion control is required.