Modular Hexapod System for Fast, Economic and Precise Positioning

Physik Instrumente (PI): PI presents a modular concept for six-axis positioning systems. Due to its modularity, the high-precision parallel kinematics can be adapted fast and efficiently to customer requirements.

The six identical Hexapod struts are designed such that their length can be easily scaled. They include the required electronics for reference point switches, limit switches, position sensors and electron-ic commutation for the brushless DC motors. Their standardized joints allow to combine them with almost any base plate and top, whatever type of geometry.

The pre-configured Hexapod system H-845.D11 provides travel ranges of up to 220 mm in the XY plane and up to 100 mm in Z direction. The maximum tilt and rotation angle is ±30°. At present, the modular Hexapod positions loads up to 1000 kg with horizontal orientation and a velocity of up to 20 mm/s. The position resolution of a single strut is 40 nanometers and the linear repeatability approx. 2 µm. When mounted in any other orientation, up to 400 kg can be precisely aligned.

The more we know about the application, the better we can select the individual modules, such as drive and output unit and joints, for the Hexapod set-up, and the better we can exploit this potential. A powerful digital controller completes the system: It features vector control, a stable pivot point freely selectable in space and LabVIEW support. Position values can be simply entered in Cartesian coordinates. Control of two additional motorized axes is also available as an option.

PI in Brief
Well-known for the high quality of their products, PI is one of the leading players in the global market for precision positioning technology. PI has been developing and manufacturing standard and OEM products with piezo or motor drives for 40 years now. With four German factories and ten subsidiaries and sales offices abroad, the PI group is represented internationally.