Micropositioning System suits parallel kinematic systems.

Press Release Summary:




Driven by 6 LTA actuators, Hexapod 6-axis micropositioning system features anti-friction coated spherical joint design. Hexapod XPS electronic controller offers freely-definable virtual pivot point, instrument grade I/O, hardware-based input triggers, event triggers, high-speed data acquisition, TCP/IP communication, and integrated TCL programming language for on-board processes. Two user-definable coordinate systems are provided, which facilitate incremental displacements.



Original Press Release:



Newport's 6-Axis Parallel Kinematic Micropositioning System



Irvine, CA - June 15, 2009 - Newport Corporation, a worldwide leader in laser and photonic solutions, introduces the high performance Hexapod, an easy-to-use and affordable 6-axis micropositioning system. The new system is driven by six industry-proven LTA actuators that have been enhanced to match the special requirements of parallel kinematic systems. The unique, anti-friction coated spherical joint design provides more than five-times higher rigidity and twice the load capacity of other hexapods of similar size.

The Hexapod electronic controller is a distinctive version of the Newport XPS advanced multi-axis controller which accurately masters the synchronized transformations from Cartesian input coordinates to the motion of the Hexapod kinematic members. Advanced features of the XPS controller, such as instrument grade I/O's, hardware-based input triggers, event triggers, high-speed on-the-fly data acquisition, fast TCP/IP communication, and integrated TCL programming language for on-board processes, make programming easier and improves throughput.

A standard feature of the powerful Hexapod XPS controller is a freely-definable, virtual pivot point which offers more flexibility in relocating both the pivot point and the entire coordinate system through advanced motion algorithms. Two user-definable coordinate systems are also provided: the TOOL coordinate system, which moves with the Hexapod, and the WORK coordinate system which is relative to the reference coordinate system. Incremental displacements are possible in either, since these are commonly-used Cartesian coordinates and positions can be easily calculated from one system to the other via a function call. These powerful functions provide a comprehensive and new way of mastering Hexapod motions without the need for complex, external coordinate transformations.

The affordable, new Hexapod will be on display at Laser World of Photonics, June 15-18, 2009 in Munich, Germany at Newport's booth # 101 in Hall C1. For more information, please visit: www.newport.com/hexapod or contact your local Newport sales office.

About Newport Corporation

Newport Corporation is a leading global supplier of advanced-technology products and systems to customers in the scientific research, microelectronics manufacturing, aerospace and defense/security, life and health sciences and precision industrial manufacturing markets. Newport's innovative solutions leverage its expertise in high-power semiconductor, solid-state and ultrafast lasers, photonics instrumentation, sub-micron positioning systems, vibration isolation, optical subsystems and precision automation to enhance the capabilities and productivity of its customers' manufacturing, engineering and research applications. Newport is part of the Standard & Poor's SmallCap 600 Index and the Russell Microcap Index.

Company Contacts:

Kim Abair

Director of Global Marketing

Tel: 800-222-6440

E-mail: kim.abair@newport.com

Beda Espinoza

Product Marketing Manager

Tel: 800-222-6440

E-mail: beda.espinoza@newport.com

Newport Corporation

1791 Deere Avenue

Irvine, CA 92606

Tel 949-863-3144

Fax 949-253-1800

www.newport.com

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