Aerotech Limited

GSI Lasers designs and manufactures a broad range of industrial laser technologies for use in key manufacturing applications across aerospace, automotive, electronics, medical and the semiconductor industries. They regularly work in partnership with Aerotech for positioning systems and motion controls when proving an application process.

Aerotech’s Soloist and Ensemble series advanced motion controllers now include an ODVA certified EtherNet/IP fieldbus option to allow direct programming from Allen Bradley PLCs using the RSLogix development environment. Register-to-register and ASCII interface programming is available to bring real time I/O and message exchange with device configuration and data collection over the EtherNet/IP open industrial network standard for integrated machine automation and motion control solutions. EtherNet/IP is built on a standard Ethernet TCP/IP network and uses the proven Common Industrial Protocol (CIP) of DeviceNet.

The new PlanarHD air bearing stage from Aerotech features several design enhancements for increased throughput in ultra-high precision step-and-settle and scanning applications such as semiconductor processing and emerging MEMS/Nano technologies. The 500 mm x 500 mm travel stage includes larger air bearing surfaces for significantly improved dynamic characteristics as well as higher power linear servo motors on both axes to deliver an impressive specification that includes a 2 m/sec scan velocity and peak acceleration to 5 g - with a positioning resolution of up to 0.25 nanometres, repeatability to 50 nanometres and accuracy to +/- 300 nanometres.

Aerotech’s new Nmark SSaM extends the application potential for galvanometer based laser scanners with direct control of XY2-100 protocol scan head mirrors in synchronisation with up to 32 distributed and networked, servo driven positioning axes.

Aerotech’s new ALS130H series linear motor driven positioning stages have been designed for ultra high precision scanning and positioning applications where sub-nanometre level resolution needs to be combined with exceptional smoothness, high traversing speeds and fast acceleration over travel ranges up to 150 mm. The classic two-part stage design outperforms leadscrew driven alternatives with their inherent friction related stick-slip problems and offers a far higher load acceleration force than piezo based positioners.

Aerotech has recently updated and expanded the Vacuum Preparation section of its Engineering Reference tutorial. Available online at the www.aerotech.com website in HTML or in downloadable PDF format, the section details important design considerations and recommendations for high precision motion control systems in vacuum levels categorised from low vacuum (10-3 Torr), through standard (10-6 Torr) to high vacuum (10-8 Torr).

Aerotech’s new Motion Designer software provides an easy-to-use graphical user interface for generating, analysing motion trajectories and also improving the performance of complex motion profiles. The software greatly simplifies trajectory programming and reduces development time where an exact motion profile, simulating a dynamic environment or real-world conditions, needs to be generated. Furthermore, applications requiring optimal performance can also benefit with detailed motion analysis tools and iterative learning control algorithms that reduce following error and cycle times over multiple runs.

Aerotech have released a completely updated and redesigned Automation Solutions brochure for Laser Processing, Medical Device Manufacturing and Life Sciences. The 36 page industry and market specific information resource is the latest in a series of Automation Solutions publications that demonstrate Aerotech's significant ability to deliver low cost of ownership motion system solutions through advanced motion controls and superior mechanical systems that provide its customers with increased speed and throughput, superior accuracy and improved reliability. The new brochure is also available in German.

Aerotech has launched a new range of high precision electromechanical automation systems for laser scribing photovoltaic panels and flat panel displays. With travel up to 2.5 m, speeds to 3 m/sec and acceleration to 5 g, the SolarScribe features high performance direct-drive linear motor technology for maximum production throughput and for complete application flexibility includes a choice of air bearing and mechanical bearing systems in split axis or gantry configurations to match the customers' performance and budget requirements.

Aerotech has introduced a sealed version of its AGS series linear motor driven, X-Y gantry system. The innovative design is aimed at applications where process produced debris or environmental conditions may inhibit performance of bearings and linear motors or compromise sensitive measuring components. The complete system would typically include all drive and control electronics, cable management and customer supplied services, granite or composite machine base, and operator interface.

With its open frame design, Aerotech's ABL3600 air bearing, linear motor driven X-Y positioning stage is aimed at semiconductor fabrication and test, scanning microscopy and other demanding scan and position applications requiring a large working aperture and perfect precision. Specifications for the 250 mm x 250 mm travel stage include a calibrated positional accuracy of +/- 1 micron, a resolution range between 1 and 200 nanometres, and scanning speeds to 200 mm/sec. Delivered as a completely tested and customer ready motion sub system with an integral granite base and full cable management, the ABL3600 can be customised with wafer chucks or other customer-specific fixtures.

Aerotech has released a new low profile, high speed rotary stage that offers a compact alternative to traditional positioning spindles. Capable of a top speed of 2500 rpm and with a fundamental angular resolution of 3.6 arc-sec, the ADRH 100 features backlash and cog free, direct-drive servo motor technology with a directly coupled precision encoder for excellent servo bandwidth and maximum stiffness.

Aerotech's new ARMS series rotary motion simulators provide highly accurate angular rates, acceleration and position profiles for inertial component test systems and instruments. The new simulators include a choice of slip ring assemblies and rotary unions for interfacing with the Unit Under Test (UUT) and are supplied with matched servo drives, motion controls and GUI motion design software. Users are able to generate or download complex rotary motion profiles and execute them with a velocity stability to 0.0001% over 360 degrees for direct loads up to 170 kg. The range is aimed at dynamic in-process testing of gyroscopes, MEMS sensors, accelerometers and other rate table applications requiring ultra-precise rotational profiling for use on avionics equipment, automobiles, and other ground based vehicles and inertial platforms.

Aerotech's new ABRT series rotary stages combine innovative air bearing mechanics, direct-drive servo technology and ultra-high precision angle encoders to provide exceptional levels of angular positioning performance. Available in three models with nominal tabletop diameters of 100 mm, 150 mm and 200 mm, they provide up to 70 kg load capacity with bidirectional repeatability to less than 1 arc-sec (< 5 μradians) and calibrated angular accuracy to +/- 2 arc-sec.