Hexapod Positioner delivers sub-micrometer precision.

Press Release Summary:




Offering linear travels to 110 mm and angular travels to 40°, HexGen™ HEX500-350HL is driven by AC brushless, slotless servomotors directly coupled to actuator ball-screw. This configuration promotes drive stiffness and positioning accuracy as well as minimum incremental motion capacity (20 nm in XYZ and 0.2 µrad for θxθyθz). Able to be modified with user-specific features or mounting patterns, product comes with A3200 motion control and visualization software.



Original Press Release:



New Hexapod Guarantees Positioning Accuracy Specifications



Six-degree-of-freedom positioning with linear travels to 110 mm and angular travels to 40°



Precision design with guaranteed positioning accuracy specifications



Minimum incremental motion to 20 nm in XYZ and 0.02 µrad in θxθyθz



Flexible configurations and customization



Vacuum preparation available



Powerful controls and software with visualization of work and tool coordinate systems



Aerotech’s HexGen™ hexapods represent a significant advance in six-degree-of-freedom positioning performance. The HEX500-350HL high-load, precision hexapod is ideal for applications in x-ray diffraction, sensor testing, and high-force device manipulation.



With its high-load capacity, large travels, high speeds, and sub-micrometer precision, the HEX500-350HL means no compromising on application specifications. The HEX500-350HL is the only hexapod on the market today that provides guaranteed positioning accuracy specifications.



Superior Structural Design

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 maximize device lifetime and performance. The servomotors are directly coupled to the actuator ball-screw enabling increased drive stiffness, higher positioning accuracy, and better minimum incremental motion (20 nm in XYZ and 0.2 µrad for θxθyθz) when compared to competitive designs that use belts or compliant couplings. The strut pivot-joints are engineered to provide low friction and high stiffness enhancing overall hexapod performance.



Design Flexibility

The HEX500-350HL is designed with flexibility and customization in mind. The platform and base can be easily modified with user-specific features or mounting patterns. The HEX500-350HL is designed with a 150 mm 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 English 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.



Powerful Controls and Software

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 allows easy programming and control of the hexapod in any user-defined coordinate system. Aerotech’s HexGen™ sizing software gives the user the ability to easily visualize and simulate the available workspace.



For further information, please contact Steve McLane at 412-967-6854 (direct), or via e-mail at smclane@aerotech.com. In addition, the HEX500-350HL series data sheet is available at: https://www.aerotech.com/product-catalog/hexapods/hexgen-hex500-350hl.aspx.

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