Parallel kinematics

December 2009 Motion Control & Drives

Miniature hexapod with great freedom of movement.

The parallel kinematics hexapod systems from Physik Instrumente (PI) provide positioning in six axes with precisions below 1 μm. The new miniature M-810 hexapod takes up only minimal installation space. With a diameter of 10 cm and a height of 118 mm it provides travel ranges up to 40 mm in the XY-plane and up to 13 mm in the Z-direction. The mini-hexapod reliably positions loads up to 5 kg and achieves speeds of up to 10 mm/s.

Despite its compact size, the necessary driver electronics have been integrated into the base platform of the hexapod. The control is 100% compatible with all previous hexapod models and is conveniently executed via an Ethernet connection. As with all PI hexapods, the position can be entered with commands in Cartesian coordinates.

Parallel kinematics systems have several advantages over stacked multi-axis positioners. All six actuators act on a joint platform, which keeps the moved mass low. Moreover, there is no summation of the lateral run-out and tilts of individual axes. The pivot point can be selected as desired via software commands and thus remains independent of the movement.

For more information contact Measuring Instruments Technology, +27 (0)12 348 0569, [email protected], www.marmit.co.za

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