ALIO Industries Addresses Motion Control Needs for Optical Testing & Assembly

Precision motion control plays a crucial role in optics testing and assembly by ensuring precise and accurate movement of optical components during the testing and assembly process. This helps to achieve high accuracy and repeatability in testing results and ensures proper alignment and positioning of components for optimal performance in assembled optical systems. ALIO Industries’ precision motion control systems provide precise and controlled movement of optical components in X, Y, Z dimensions, and rotation, allowing for precise manipulation and measurement of optical elements.

Bill Hennessey, President of ALIO Industries says, “Camera array modules, translational OIS, telescopic integrated lenses for miniature cameras (used in everyday products like cell phone cameras and drones) all consist of various lenses. The industry trend is towards higher resolution 4K and 8K lenses in smaller and smaller areas, requiring increased precision in all 6 motion axes to achieve these combined objectives. Precise positioning of each lens is crucial for sharp, distortion-free images. As all lenses have different diameters, a highly flexible system with multiple tool-center points is needed allowing the various components to be handled precisely and reliable, thereby cutting down tool costs, production time, and scrap. For such applications, ALIO has developed the MINI Hybrid Hexapod® which is ideal for automated lens and camera alignment/bonding to CCD arrays. Any application requiring 6-degrees of freedom positioning with nanometer/arc-sec levels of incremental motion and repeatability is a good fit for this motion control system where product sensor resolution improvements are driving the need for higher precision.”

The MINI Hybrid Hexapod® developed by ALIO Industries is a precision motion control solution that combines the stability and accuracy of a traditional hexapod with the agility and flexibility of a gantry system. This makes it a suitable solution for optical testing and assembly, where precise positioning and alignment of optical components is required.

The MINI Hybrid Hexapod® provides high accuracy and stability, fast and precise motion, and flexible positioning, making it a versatile tool for a variety of applications.

Currently the smallest of ALIO’s Hybrid Hexapod® line, the MINI is compact but still provides a 54,000 mm2 working volume (60x60x15mm). With the flexibility to scale tripod, rotary and monolithic XY, customers can size the MINI to their required working volume. Brakes, gear reduction, ball screw drive, and linear motor drive are some of the options to match the performance to specific applications.

The MINI Hybrid Hexapod® is ideal for automated lens alignment or bonding processes. It has been helpful in building camera array modules, translational OIS, and telescopic integrated lenses for miniature cameras used in every-day products like cell phone cameras and drones. Any application requiring six degrees of freedom (6-DOF) positioning with nanometer/arc-sec levels of incremental motion and repeatability is a good fit for this product. ALIO Industries is a manufacturer of precision motion systems and custom automation solutions. In addition to the MINI Hybrid Hexapod® the company offers a range of off-the-shelf solutions for optical component testing and assembly, and can even provide custom solutions for specific requirements and applications.