ALIO Industries’ Angulares™ Hybrid Hexapod® — Stimulating the Future of Precision Engineering

In today’s rapidly advancing technological landscape, industries demand precision engineering that can keep pace with innovation. Enter ALIO Industries’ groundbreaking Angulares™ Hybrid Hexapod®, a pioneering solution that delivers unprecedented levels of control and accuracy for complex applications. With its remarkable 60-degree tip/tilt travel, this patented technology sets a new standard in 6-Degree-of-Freedom (6-DOF) positioners, offering the largest angular range available on the market while maintaining the extraordinary precision that ALIO is renowned for.

High-tech industries rely on equipment that provides versatility and unmatched precision. Whether it’s for laser micromachining, optical metrology, or silicon photonics, the Angulares™ Hybrid Hexapod® offers a transformative solution for applications where nanometer-level precision and repeatability are crucial. By addressing the limitations of traditional hexapods and stacked stage configurations, ALIO’s Hybrid Hexapod® brings a new level of accuracy and functionality that is simply indispensable.

The Angulares™ model, in particular, is packed with advanced features:

• Precision crossed roller bearing guides ensure smooth and controlled movements.

• Optical encoders (both incremental and absolute) on all axes.

• Linear motor and servo ball screw drives provide flexibility for varied applications.

• Unlimited programmable tool center point locations for ultimate customization.

• Zero backlash across all axes, ensuring flawless motion control.

The result? A system that delivers unlimited XY travel, a Z-axis range of 62 mm (expandable to 208 mm with alternative models), 60 degrees of tip/tilt motion, and continuous 360-degree Theta-Z rotation. For industries that require the highest levels of precision, these specifications offer unparalleled control and accuracy. Unlike conventional systems that typically confine movements within a smaller spherical operating space, ALIO’s Hybrid Hexapod® enables motion within a rectangular or box-shaped area. This expanded space is a result of its innovative design, which combines a precision XY monolithic stage and a parallel kinematic tripod for Z-plane and tip/tilt movements, dramatically increasing the working cubic volume.

Overcoming the Shortcomings of Traditional Hexapods

While traditional hexapods are sufficient for tasks requiring micron-level tolerances, they struggle when it comes to nanometer-level precision. This gap is largely due to the inherent limitations in their design, which introduces errors in all six degrees of freedom, especially in flatness and straightness — two critical factors in high-precision applications.

Errors in conventional hexapods often arise because of the differences in motion among the six joints and links, leading to degraded performance in X, Y, pitch, yaw, and roll movements. This is where ALIO’s Hybrid Hexapod® steps in. By integrating the best of both serial and parallel kinematic structures, it mitigates the weaknesses of traditional hexapods, offering superior path precision and repeatability.

At the heart of the Angulares™ Hybrid Hexapod® is a parallel kinematic tripod responsible for Z-plane and tip/tilt motion, combined with a serial kinematic stage for XY planar motion. This hybrid design allows for impressive flexibility, enabling customizations that extend XY travel ranges from just a few millimeters to virtually unlimited distances. Meanwhile, the 360-degree Theta-Z rotation adds another layer of versatility.

This level of control is particularly beneficial for applications like aspheric and freeform optical metrology, camera module alignment, and sensor stabilization testing, where even the smallest deviation can have significant consequences. With nanometer-level precision and the ability to program infinite tool center point locations, the Hybrid Hexapod® meets the most demanding industry standards.

Applications of the Angulares™ Hybrid Hexapod® in Industry

The Angulares™ Hybrid Hexapod® isn’t just an engineering marvel — it’s a practical solution for a wide range of cutting-edge industries. From exacting photonics applications, wafer metrology to fiber alignment and laser processing on non-planar substrates, its versatility is helping engineers push the boundaries of what’s possible. Specific applications include:

• Silicon photonics packaging and probing

• Laser micromachining on non-planar surfaces

• Automated optical element alignment

• Camera module assembly and sensor testing

Each of these fields benefits from the system’s ability to deliver precise and customizable motion control, ensuring that critical tasks are completed with the utmost accuracy.

As the demands of modern technology continue to evolve, so too must the tools we use to meet these demands. The Angulares™ Hybrid Hexapod® from ALIO Industries represents a significant leap forward in the realm of precision engineering. Its unique design and industry-leading specifications make it an essential tool for anyone working in high-tech fields that require cutting-edge precision and performance.

See The Angulares™ in action HERE (https://alioindustries.com/video/worlds-most-versatile-hybrid-hexapod-with-30-degrees-tip-tilt-range-the-angulares/) and for more information on how the Angulares™ Hybrid Hexapod® can revolutionize your workflow, reach out to the team at ALIO Industries today.