Aerotech: Hexapod positioner

Aerotech’s HexGen hexapods represent a significant advance in six-degree-of-freedom positioning performance; the HEX300-230HL is targeted at medium-load, ultra-precision applications ranging from sensor testing to synchrotron sample manipulation.

Mar 7th, 2017

Hexapod positioner

Hexapod positioner

Aerotech’s HexGen hexapods are the only hexapods on the market today that provide guaranteed positioning accuracy specifications below 5 μm.

The HEX300-230HL is actuated with six high-accuracy struts built with precision preloaded bearings, ball screws, and drive components. Unlike competitive hexapods driven by DC brush servomotors, this model is driven by AC brushless, slotless servomotors that maximize its performance and longevity.

Directly coupling the AC brushless servomotors to the ball screw results in increased drive stiffness, higher positioning accuracy, and better minimum incremental motion compared to competitive designs using belts, gearheads, or compliant couplings. Specially-engineered strut pivot-joints provide low friction and high stiffness, enhancing the hexapod’s overall performance. The HEX300-230HL’s superior structural design offers the user a generous load capacity of up to 45 kg.

The HEX300-230HL’s platform and base can be easily modified with user-specific features or mounting patterns. It features a 100 mm diameter clear aperture in the platform, while a 60 mm diameter clear aperture in the base allows workpiece access from the bottom. The base mounting holes adapt directly to English and metric optical tables.

Driving the HEX300-230HL is Aerotech’s A3200 motion-control software. Built on years of experience with difficult kinematics applications, the A3200 controller allows easy programming and control of the hexapod in any user-defined coordinate system.

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