Six-axis positioning system with a programmable pivot point: engineers will like this

Nashua, NH--Last week I highlighted an off-the-shelf refractive/diffractive lens that I felt was especially appealing to optical engineers who have to do a lot of lab experimentation. From the same point of view, this week I'd like to mention a nice six-axis positioning system that not only appears to be easy to use, but has that special little something that will make engineers smile -- a programmable virtual pivot point.

33 nm resolution
Made by nanopositioning specialist Physik Instrumente (PI; Auburn, MA), the F-206.S six-axis Hexapod alignment system provides 6-D motion with a 33 nm resolution and advanced alignment software, and is a more-affordable version of the company's Hexapod technology, says PI. The parallel kinematics controller/driver has vectorized motion and arbitrary pivot-point capability as well as an extensive software package; the complete system is available from $33,900 in North America.

According to PI, "the parallel-kinematics design with a virtual pivot point and vector-based 6-D motion-controller is what sets the F-206.S system apart from conventional stacked multiaxis positioners. Due to the reduced moving mass (only one common lightweight platform for all six actuators) the system can respond and settle much faster. It is also considerably more compact and accurate than conventional multi-axis stage stacks (serial kinematics). Its parallel-kinematics design and advanced, digital 6-D controller minimizes unwanted crosstalk motion."

The clincher
What appeals to me, as a one-time optical engineer, is that easily programmable virtual pivot point. Many times in the lab I would have to align an axis of rotation to an optical axis in a rather laborious manner; a programmable virtual pivot point would allow the engineer to align such axes from the spot every engineer loves to be -- lounging behind a keyboard. As PI puts it, "since Hexapod motion is not determined by fixed bearings but real-time, 6-space control algorithms, this point can be chosen freely with a single software command, a prerequisite for fast and accurate alignment tasks."

The Hexapod comes with control and alignment software, LabView drivers, DLLs, etc. and many programming examples. When equipped with an optional high-speed photometer card, the Hexapod aligns arrays, waveguides, and collimators up to ten times faster than conventional multiaxis positioning stages, according to PI. Uses include precision positioning, alignment, and testing of optics, photonics, and MEMS components; nanolithography; micromanipulation; and microsurgery.

For more info, go to http://www.hexapods.net/F206-Hexapod.htm