Spindle drive delivers ultimate accuracy

Aerotech ASR series brushless direct drive spindles are ideal for high-accuracy applications such as in disk drive testing, imaging and precision wafer inspection.

Aerotech ASR series brushless direct drive spindles are ideal for high-accuracy applications such as in disk drive testing, imaging and precision wafer inspection where exceptional angular positioning and velocity control are demanded.

The ASR spindles are incredibly accurate.

Velocity ripple is less than 0.1%, with an axis total radial error of just 3mm and a total axial error of a mere 1.5mm.

Because the motor and rotary encoder are directly coupled to a common shaft, without gear trains or mechanical couplings, there are no position errors caused by hysteresis, windup or backlash.

The mechanical characteristics of such a high-speed spindle are clearly key to its performance.

Aerotech has employed matched angular contact bearing sets to maximize correction of error motions and the spindle is balanced to the stringent ISO1940 G1.0 standard.

Moreover, the spindle design is such that it enables balancing screws to be accessed externally with the final payload in place allowing adjustment to a G4.0 to G1.0 tolerance.

High acceleration and high speeds are achieved through the low inherent inertia of the spindle and the high torque output of the Aerotech brushless direct drive motor.

With no brushes to wear, the spindle is virtually maintenance free.

Moreover, the efficient electromagnetic design of the motor provides high performance with lower operating temperatures than rival products.

The sealing of the spindle uses a labyrinth to ensure minimal particle migration from the spindle enabling the spindles to be certificated to Class 1 for cleanroom operation.

Options include mechanical or vacuum chucks and when coupled with one of Aerotech's servo amplifiers and the company's motion controller, the customer benefits from a complete, integrated package.

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