PI Expands its Technological Spectrum for Precision Automation

Posted By : Jacqueline Regnier
PI Expands its Technological Spectrum for Precision Automation

For the first time in Europe Physik Instrumente presented positioning systems with air bearing technology at the LASER World of Photonics conference. 

Together with magnetic direct drives, PI is expanding its technological basis for developing and manufacturing precision positioning systems for automation supplementing its existing piezo nanopositioning, motorized micropositioning and Hexapod robotics product lines.

The acquisition of Nelson Air towards the end of 2014 means that the PI Group now has extensive experience in offering linear, planar and rotation stages with air bearings for industry and research. In addition to a range of standard air bearing products, custom designed systems are available.

Air bearings are essential for nanometer precision motion with extremely high velocity stability over long travel ranges. In contrast to mechanical guides, the air bearing enables the moving platform to glide over a layer of air with almost no friction at all. This means that no hysteresis or backlash occurs and when combined with linear motors, it is possible to reach very high velocities. Above all, air bearings ensure excellent guiding accuracy, which means straightness and flatness of motion well below one micrometer. This makes them ideal for meeting the requirements of tasks in high-end precision automation, manufacturing and inspection systems. Similar guiding accuracy can only be achieved by magnetic bearings or flexure joints. Both are technologies that PI also uses for specific applications.

PI covers the entire technology spectrum for motion and positioning tasks with the highest demands on precision and can provide the optimum solution based on a wide portfolio of drive, sensor and guide technologies: PI solutions include standard and custom precision motion systems from miniaturized piezo scanners with 1 nanometer resolution, to 6-axis Hexapod platforms for loads up to 1 ton.


You must be logged in to comment

Write a comment

No comments




More from Physik Instrumente (PI) GmbH & Co. KG

Sign up to view our publications

Sign up

Sign up to view our downloads

Sign up

GISEC Global
23rd April 2024
United Arab Emirates Halls 2-8 - Dubai World Trade Centre
The Magnetics Show US
22nd May 2024
United States of America The Pasadena Convention Center
2024 World Battery & Energy Storage Industry Expo (WBE)
8th August 2024
China 1st and 2nd Floor, Area A, China Import and Export Fair Complex