A-341 Hybrid XY/XYZ Gantry Positioning System

The A-341 Hybrid XY/XYZ Gantry positioning system from PI (Physik Instrumente) LP with air bearing is available for high-performance automation.

Features

Hybrid design: Gantry axis comes with recirculating ball-bearing guides and a bridge axis withair bearing

Adaptable modular platform

Absolute encoder

Several travel ranges. Options and customized adaptations

High-performance ironless linear motors are available

A-341 gantry system, dimensions in mm. Image Credit: PI (Physik Instrumente) LP

Overview

The A-341 PIglide HGS hybrid gantry system was made for applications requiring long travel ranges and overhead motion.

The A-341 hybrid gantry consists of a unique hybrid guide design. The bridge axis is fitted with a friction-free guide with air bearings that enable precise velocity control, excellent straightness, and repeatability.

The guide with air bearings has significantly reduced particle emission over the workspace. The gantry axis is fitted with recirculating ball bearing guides on both sides for hardiness and precision in limited installation space.

This combination of various guide technologies implies that the A-341 hybrid gantry is ideally suited to applications that depend on the step-and-scan principle and need a small design.

The A-341 has been linked with first-in-class controllers and drive modules from ACS that provide excellent servo performance, advanced control algorithms to enhance dynamic performance and error compensation, and an extensive suite of software development tools.

PIMag^® Magnetic Direct Drive

The availability of a 3-phase magnetic direct drive does not utilize mechanical components in the drivetrain. They also transmit the drive force to the motion platform instantly and without friction. The drives achieve high velocities and accelerations.

Ironless motors are ideal for positioning tasks with the most significant accuracy demands since there is no unwanted interaction with the permanent magnets. This enables smooth running even at the lowest velocities, and there is no vibration at high velocities.

Nonlinearity in control behavior is avoided, and any position can be regulated easily. The drive force can be set freely.

Application Fields

Digital printing

Scanning

Electronics assembly and inspection

AOI (Automatic Optical Inspection)

Automation.

Absolute Encoder

Absolute encoders supply clear position information that allows instant determination of the position. This means that referencing is unnecessary during switch-on, increasingefficiency and safety during operation.

Options and Customized Adaptations

Base made of aluminum or granite

Work height is adjustable

Performance of the linear motors

Systems available for decreasing vibration

Liquid cooling of the linear motors

Extra drag chains are available

Specifications

Source: PI (Physik Instrumente) LP

⁽¹⁾Assumes an air bearing operating pressure of 550 kPa. The payload center of gravity may not be more than 50 mm away from the surface of the motion platform.

⁽²⁾Accuracy values assume short time duration and do not consider the long-term effects of thermal drift on the stage.

⁽³⁾Depends on the motor selected, controller performance, duty cycle, load, and other application-specific parameters.