Gantry positioning stages are smooth operators

A new range of x-y gantry positioning stages combine a large work area H-frame design with high performance linear motors, rugged optical encoders and magnetically preloaded air bearings.

Aerotech's ABG10000 air-bearing x-y gantry positioning stages combine a large work area H-frame design with high performance linear motors, rugged optical encoders and magnetically preloaded air bearings to provide high-speed and high-precision positioning with smooth motion for demanding high-accuracy production and inspection system applications.

With a wide range of customisation options available, including granite or composite machine bases, z and rotary axes, vibration isolation systems and control enclosures, these zero friction stages provide low maintenance and extremely long life for demanding applications such as high accuracy pick and place, automated assembly machines, and flat panel/semiconductor inspection systems.

The ABG10000 features Aerotech's time-proven air bearing design with an active, magnetic preload system on both horizontal and vertical surfaces.

The preload maintains a thin film of pressure and a very stable air gap that is essential for high precision positioning but not always present on other competitive systems available today.

The balanced combination of preload and the inherent large air bearing surfaces result in outstanding stage stiffness and an excellent offset load capability.

The air bearing design also provides a unique averaging effect with the thin film filling small surface voids and irregularities further contributing to the ABG10000's superior specification for pitch, roll, yaw, straightness and flatness.

Furthermore, the low centre of mass stage design provides the optimal speed and acceleration performance required for high throughput production and inspection systems.

The ABG10000 uses Aerotech's BLM series brushless linear motors with ironless, zero cogging construction providing backlash free positioning with exceptional smoothness and in-position stability.

The lower axis, with two independent air bearings, uses a dual motor drive system available with calibrated yaw correction when used with Aerotech motion controllers.

Rugged noncontact optical linear encoders in a choice of two resolution ranges of 0.01-1.0 and 0.02-2.0um provide position feedback.

ABG10000 series gantry stages are available in four standard travel ranges of 250 x 250, 500 x 500, 750 x 750 and 1000 x 1000mm with customised travel ranges available on request.

The combination of linear motor, encoder and air bearing mechanics realises a calibrated accuracy of +/-2um with bidirectional repeatability to within 0.5um and a maximum speed of 1m/s with acceleration to 0.5g, depending on the system datarate.

Straightness and flatness for the 1 x 1m travel stage is +/-3um, and +/-14um with measured pitch, roll and yaw at +/-15, +/-5 and +/-4.5arc-sec.

The cable management system (CMS) employed on the ABG10000 is a field proven design providing high reliability and long maintenance-free life.

The e-chain system has a large bend radius with high-flex cables used for all motor power and encoders.

Customers' own cabling and pneumatics services are routed through the CMS with interfacing connectors provided, greatly simplifying machine design and commissioning time.

ABG10000 series gantry systems can be supplied as stand-alone positioning systems or supplied as complete solutions along with a number of customisation options such as machine bases and vibration isolation systems.

For turnkey solutions, a wide range of rotary and vertical axes are available along with Aerotech's high performance servo amplifiers and advanced motion controllers including the A3200 digital automation platform.

The A3200 is a breakthrough, software based machine control system combining motion, HMI, PLC and vision control modules with an industry standard FireWire high performance communication network for up to 32 axes of high-speed motion.

It also includes a 10/100Base-T Ethernet interface for use with third party I/O and PLCs.

By providing all system components, Aerotech can guarantee that customers' performance requirements are met with fully tested and calibrated system solutions that will reduce overall cost of ownership when compared to individual design, purchase, assembly and commissioning of positioning and motion control components.

Complete systems include all motor power and encoder cables plus performance and calibration related documents and a CD containing interconnection drawings to help integrators with their own system documentation; all motor parameter setup data for system configuration are included, making commissioning straightforward.

These features are standard for every Aerotech product and with full product training and comprehensive online technical support, the true cost of ownership is extremely competitive.

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