Product category:
Actuators, motion systems, etc
News Release from: Aerotech | Subject: ABG10000 air bearing, X-Y gantry positioning stage
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 29 November 2004
Positioning stages operate smoothly,
precisely
Precise air bearing, X-Y gantry positioning stages combine a large work area 'H' frame design with linear motors, optical encoders and magnetically preloaded air bearings.
Aerotech's ABG10000 air bearing, X-Y gantry positioning stages combine a large work area 'H' frame design with high performance linear motors, rugged optical encoders and magnetically preloaded air bearings to provide high-speed and high-precision positioning with smooth motion for demanding high-accuracy production and inspection system applications With a wide range of customisation options available, including granite or composite machine bases, Z and rotary axes, vibration isolation systems and control enclosures, these zero friction stages provide low maintenance and extremely long life for demanding applications such as high accuracy pick and place, automated assembly machines, and flat panel/semiconductor inspection systems
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 11 Jul 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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The ABG10000 features Aerotech's time-proven air bearing design with an active, magnetic preload system on both horizontal and vertical surfaces.
The preload maintains a thin film of pressure and a very stable air gap that is essential for high precision positioning but not always present on other competitive systems available today.
The balanced combination of preload and the inherent large air bearing surfaces result in outstanding stage stiffness and an excellent offset load capability.
Further reading
Sealed gantry handling system avoids dirt ingress
A sealed version of a linear motor driven, X-Y gantry system is particularly suited to applications such as high throughput laser machining and welding.
Open frame air bearing stage has long life
An open frame air bearing stage provides the specification for through-aperture step and scan positioning and uses preloaded air bearings, direct-drive linear motors and high resolution encoders.
Low profile rotary stage offers high speed
A low profile, high speed, compact rotary stage provides a solution for compact positioning spindle applications and operates at up to 15,000 deg/s.
The air bearing design also provides a unique averaging effect with the thin film filling small surface voids and irregularities further contributing to the ABG10000's superior specification for pitch, roll, yaw, straightness and flatness.
Furthermore, the low centre of mass stage design provides the optimal speed and acceleration performance required for high throughput production and inspection systems.
The ABG10000 uses Aerotech?s BLM series brushless linear motors with ironless, zero cogging construction providing backlash free positioning with exceptional smoothness and in-position stability.
The lower axis, with two independent air bearings, uses a dual motor drive system available with calibrated yaw correction when used with Aerotech motion controllers.
Rugged non-contact optical linear encoders in a choice of two resolution ranges of 0.01 micron to1.0 micron and 0.02 micron to 2.0 micron provide position feedback.
ABG10000 series gantry stages are available in four standard travel ranges of 250 x 250mm, 500 x 500mm, 750 x 750mm and 1000 x 1000mm with customised travel ranges available on request.
The combination of linear motor, encoder and air bearing mechanics realises a calibrated accuracy of +/- 2 micron with bi-directional repeatability to within 0.5 micron and a maximum speed of 1m/s with acceleration to 0.5G depending upon the system data rate.
Straightness and flatness for the 1m x 1m travel stage is +/-3 micron and +/- 14 micron with measured pitch, roll and yaw at +/- 15 arc sec, +/- 5 arc sec and +/- 4.5 arc sec.
The cable management system (CMS) employed on the ABG10000 is a field proven design providing high reliability and long maintenance-free life.
The e-chain system has a large bend radius with high-flex cables used for all motor power and encoders.
Customers own cabling and pneumatics services are routed through the CMS with interfacing connectors provided, greatly simplifying machine design and commissioning time.
ABG10000 series gantry systems can be supplied as stand-alone positioning systems or supplied as complete solutions along with a number of customisation options such as machine bases and vibration isolation systems.
For turnkey solutions, a wide range of rotary and vertical axes are available along with Aerotech?s high performance servo amplifiers and advanced motion controllers including the A3200 Digital Automation Platform.
The A3200 is a breakthrough, software based machine control system combining motion, HMI, PLC and vision control modules with an industry standard Firewire high performance communication network for up to 32 axes of high-speed motion.
It also includes a 10/100 Base T Ethernet interface for use with third party I/O and PLCs.
By providing all system components, Aerotech can guarantee that customers? performance requirements are met with fully tested and calibrated system solutions that will reduce overall cost of ownership when compared to individual design, purchase, assembly and commissioning of positioning and motion control components.
Complete systems include all motor power and encoder cables plus performance and calibration related documents and a CD containing interconnection drawings to help integrators with their own system documentation; all motor parameter set-up data for system configuration is included, making commissioning straightforward.
These features are standard for every Aerotech product and with full product training and comprehensive on-line technical support, the true cost of ownership is extremely competitive. Request a free brochure from Aerotech ...
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