New Hexapod Applications for Precision Motion Control, from PI
How to use hexapod positioning systems for 6-DOF precision motion control in optics, photonics, aerospace engineering, automation, and life sciences.
Auburn, MA - PI, a leading manufacturer of hexapods, air bearings, systems, advanced motion controllers, piezo and nanopositioning equipment, announces new applications for hexapod positioning systems, based on the Stewart Platform principle. Addressing all six degrees of freedom means that hexapods can provide linear motion in X, Y, Z as well as rotary motion in Theta-X, Theta-Y, and Theta-Z (pitch, yaw, roll).
Advantages of the Hexapod Stewart Platform Design Principle
The superiority of the Stewart Platform's parallel kinematic design over conventional 5-axis and 6-axis linear and rotary stages stems from its unique feature of having just one common moving platform, sustained by six closed-loop actuators. This design ensures unified dynamic performance across all 6 axes, a sharp contrast to conventional stacked multi-axis stages, where each stage experiences varying loads, and the lowermost motor must drive not just its own platform's weight but also the mass of up to five additional stages stacked on it. Furthermore, the balanced structure of the hexapod Stewart Platform facilitates a substantial central opening and negates the requirement for trailing cables, as it only requires two fixed external connections for power and data, which are connected to the stationary lower platform.
Hexapod Motion Controller / Hexapod Simulation Software
Drawing upon years of expertise in parallel kinematic motion systems, PI's hexapod 6-axis motion controllers and hexapod software are developed to provide a user-friendly programming experience. They permit the user to modify the center of rotation with a single command and come equipped with built-in advanced alignment functions. PI's hexapod motion simulation software pre-calculates the workspace boundaries and load capacity, thereby guaranteeing the selected hexapod can withstand the applied loads, forces, and torques in your specific use case.
Industries include: Industrial Automation, Semiconductor Manufacturing, Automotive, Silicon Photonics, Quantum Computing, High Resolution Microscopy, Life Sciences
Featured Product
3D Vision: Ensenso B now also available as a mono version!
This compact 3D camera series combines a very short working distance, a large field of view and a high depth of field - perfect for bin picking applications. With its ability to capture multiple objects over a large area, it can help robots empty containers more efficiently. Now available from IDS Imaging Development Systems. In the color version of the Ensenso B, the stereo system is equipped with two RGB image sensors. This saves additional sensors and reduces installation space and hardware costs. Now, you can also choose your model to be equipped with two 5 MP mono sensors, achieving impressively high spatial precision. With enhanced sharpness and accuracy, you can tackle applications where absolute precision is essential. The great strength of the Ensenso B lies in the very precise detection of objects at close range. It offers a wide field of view and an impressively high depth of field. This means that the area in which an object is in focus is unusually large. At a distance of 30 centimetres between the camera and the object, the Z-accuracy is approx. 0.1 millimetres. The maximum working distance is 2 meters. This 3D camera series complies with protection class IP65/67 and is ideal for use in industrial environments.
