Product category:
Machine spindles and spindle attachments
News Release from: Aerotech | Subject: Air-bearing spindle
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 07 November 2005
Air-bearing spindle has sub arc-second
positioning
Direct drive air bearing spindle with high accuracy positioning capability is built for demanding high throughput/high precision applications, such as high speed imaging and diamond turning.
Aimed at data storage, wafer processing, high speed imaging and diamond turning applications, Aerotech's new ABS2000 air-bearing spindle combines a 6000 rev/min cog-free, direct-drive brushless servo motor with a directly coupled high-accuracy rotary encoder for sub arc-second angular positioning and exceptional speed capability The new air bearing spindle is balanced to ISO 1940 G 0.4 - the highest grade for rigid rotors ensuring extremely low levels of vibration for the highest possible positioning performance
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 11 Jul 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Vacuum tutorial for motion control updated
Aerotech has introduced a revised section in engineering reference, which covers Vacuum Preparation for motion control specific applications.
Aerotech motion systems described for automation
Motion systems for automatic laser working, medical and life sciences manufacturing systems are described in Aerotech's Automation Solutions brochure, also available in German.
Furthermore, the ABS2000 includes a unique, externally accessed balancing system that allows balance adjustment when the payload is in place; further improving system response, production throughput and quality performance.
The ABS2000 is designed and certified for Class-1 clean room operation with a labyrinth seal arrangement minimising particle migration from the spindle.
An optional rotary union may be specified for vacuum supply and customised versions can include mounting plates for optics and vacuum chucks with automated parts handling.
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.
Specialised versions for ESD can also be supplied including provision for grounding balls.
A custom designed, high efficiency direct drive motor provides more than 0.25Nm of continuous torque with negligible heat transfer, minimising thermal expansion and eliminating the need for cooling fins or external cooling.
This non-influencing motor design uses a slotless/ironless stator for 'cog free' ultra-smooth velocity control and stability of the highest order with extremely small torque ripple for optimum control.
The zero backlash motor is directly coupled to high accuracy encoder removing the wind-up and hysterysis associated with mechanical coupling based motor/feedback systems.
Velocity ripple is less than 0.1% with an asynchronous error below 20 nm and a total error motion of less than 100nm.
Measured and certified specifications also include bearing rigidity at 50N/micron radially and 140N/micron axially.
As you would expect from such a precision device, the specification is backed up with documented plots for axial and radial error motion.
Encoder resolutions are 2048 lines/rev and 36000 lines/rev.
When used with Aerotech's A3200 Automation Platform and the Npaq drive rack, the spindle resolution can be as high as 0.05 arc-sec with no trade-off in speed.
This makes the air bearing spindle ideal for high throughput, high accuracy applications.
Measuring 130 mm in diameter at the mounting flange, the ABS2000 is around 160mm long with optional metric or imperial mounting hole patterns.
Axial and radial load capability is 178N and 66N respectively; the total mass of the complete assembly is 6.0kg.
The unit is supplied as standard in aluminium or alternatively in stainless steel.
Aluminium versions can be finished in electroless nickel or black 'hardcoat'.
Built to last with effectively zero maintenance, the spindle is supplied complete with cables and connectors for motor power and feedback in configurable length to the customers' application requirements.
Aerotech provide a wide range of brushless drives for the ABS2000 and control options include the A3200 Digital Automation Platform, a software based motion/machine control system for IEEE-1394 (Firewire) equipped PCs combining synchronised motion control for up to 32 servo axes with fully integrated modules for HMI, machine vision and soft PLC functions.
Other control solutions include the Soloist, single axis digital servo controller.
With its integral power supply and brushless servo amplifier, it can provide an Ethernet based distributed drive solution with loosely coordinated point to point motion for up to 1000 axes.
Typical systems are supplied complete and fully tested to the customer's specification with product training available and full pre and post sale technical support.
Along with motor power and encoder cables, all performance and calibration related documents are included, and a CD with full interconnection drawings helps system integrators with their own system documentation.
Also included is all set-up data for system configuration including servo tuning parameters, making system commissioning straightforward, requiring little more than connecting cables and applying power before programming application software.
These features are standard for every Aerotech product, ensuring that the true cost of ownership is extremely competitive. Request a free brochure from Aerotech ...
• Aerotech: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Manufacturingtalk email newsletter
• Manufacturingtalk Home Page
