Multi Axis Positioning Stages / Tables
Ultra Precise XY Measurement Instrument Critical in Automotive Part Manufacturing
A new 50 nanometer resolution linear motor based XY stage, LXY25 series, incorporating cross roller linear bearing has been developed by SMAC Corporation. It has been used to solve a critical automotive part problem at a major Asian automobile manufacturer.
The part is a machined aluminium casting with 3 critical bores machined in it. Required tolerance is less than 4 micron on each bore. High volume traditional machining results in a variation of over 20 micron. The customer originally conducted by human hand decided to sort the parts into categories and match with sorted parts that are assembled into the bores.
In order to prevent rejects at the boundary between categories a maximum 500 nanometer measurement variation was decided upon. Since the part is a high volume one - one per automobile - a very precise and fast measurement instrument was required.
The SMAC LXY25 series of XY stage fits the requirement - indeed the customer said "SMAC is the only solution".
Two LXY25s, with stylus probes attached, measure the bores from vertical down and side planes respectively. They repeat within 6 counts - or 300nanometers.
The SMAC patented "Soft-Land" method of contacting a surface and then measuring using a precise low force insures accurate and repeatable results. The compact size, 125mm x 125mm x 65mm, and low wattage, typically 24Volt, 1.5A per axis, linear motor drive makes the device very easy to integrate.
SMAC Inc is the world leader in Moving Coil Actuators and associated control systems. Headquartered in Carlsbad, California USA with subsidiaries throughout the North America, Europe, Asia & Japan. SMAC delivers high tech solutions to industry with single & multi axes linear, linear/rotary actuators, integrated XY & XYZ stages, positioning stages and electronic control solutions.
