A Compact Power Package: Q-545 Linear Positioning Stage for Precise Positioning

Just 45 mm wide, the Q-545 linear stages combine high forces, high velocity and high positioning accuracy that cannot be achieved using conventional drive principles, such as DC or stepper motors in a similar form factor.

The holding force and the maximum feed force are both 8 N, the maximum velocity is 10 mm/s. Since the piezomotor is self-locking at rest, it requires no current and generates no heat.

The compact installation space in the Q-545 contains precision components such as crossed roller guides with forced cage control which allow a high travel accuracy of ±50 µrad with a 13 mm travel range.

For closed-loop operation, the linear stage is equipped with an optical linear encoder that achieves a resolution of 1 nm. Like the motor, the linear scale is arranged centrally between the guides. This facilitates parallax-free position measurements. Combined with the piezoelectric inertia drive, minimal incremental motion of just a few nanometers can be achieved reliably and repeatedly.

The Q-545 series is also available as a vacuum-compatible version for up to
10^-9 hPa.

Motion Control

Position control of the Q-545 series is designed for rapid point-to-point motion and is handled by the E-871 motion controller. The control is digitally addressed over a USB or RS-232 interface and offers numerous parameters for the optional optimization of the settling behavior. Due to the controller’s networking capability, up to 16 axes can be controlled simultaneously via a single computer interface. The PIMikroMove software that comes with the controller allows quick start-up and system configuration. Integration into existing environments is possible via LabVIEW drivers and dynamic libraries.

The E-870 motion controller is available for open-loop operation, and its E‑870 drive electronics is also especially tuned to the requirements of the inertia drives. One amplifier can serially control a unit with up to four channels, which keeps investment costs low as an added benefit.