Micron 2 (µII) Motion Systems

ALIO Industries offers a series of linear motion systems that combine linear direct drives with dual recirculating ball rails, providing precision and flexibility to a wide range of applications. This system architecture allows customers to achieve micron-to-nanometer precision while overcoming budget constraints and exceeding the travel possible using crossed roller bearings.

The series includes nine standard stages with flexible travel ranges from 100mm to 700mm, and they can be used not only when mounted on a flat horizontal surface, but also when used on vertical surfaces or even inverted. The stages are designed with high-flex cabling, hard stops, high-resolution encoders, optical latching home index, and end-of-travel limits to ensure robust and precise motion.

For more information, take a closer look at the datasheet provided by ALIO Industries.

Micron 2 Dual Rail Linear X: AI-LM-(TRAVEL)00-uII

These three series of products are designed for extreme applications. They can carry heavy, large objects, targets, and products and can be used over extra-long ranges. Equipped with dual recirculating bail rail bearings, driven by a linear direct drive, these robust stages can reach lengths of up to 2m on which with carrier plates up to 300mm wide and either 170mm, 270mm or even 306mm long.

It is therefore not surprising that all these stage can carry payloads of up to 100kg and achieve acceleration of 2.0 G -4.0 G.

What is perhaps more surprising, however,  is that customers can still expect a bi-directional repeatability of less than +/-0.5µm and 1-digit micron and arc-sec in flatness, straightness, pitch, yaw and roll.

All details can be found on the datasheets:

Micron 2 Wide Dual Rail Linear X: AI-LM-(TRAVEL)00-uII-W

Micron 2 Large Carrier Linear X: AI-LM-(TRAVEL)00-uII-WL

Micron 2 Extra Large Linear X: AI-(TRAVEL)00-uII-XB

For certain applications, an electromagnetic linear direct drive might not be ideal. This is specifically true for applications that require the ability to hold position (literally no movement on power loss) even during a sudden or necessary power stop or loss. This is often critical when high payloads (but not only high payloads) are involved, or if a stage needs to be mounted other than horizontally.

ALIO has therefore extended its range of stages suitable for these kinds of challenges with further Micron 2 (µII) motion systems. Those stages known as the “SBS” and “XBS” series use a frameless torque motor that drives the carrier with a precision ball screw on dual recirculating ball rail bearings. For further strength, certain stages can be equipped with brake options contributing to the safety of the machines.

Even with this combination of drive and bearings, the stage will successfully accomplish applications requiring a bi-directional repeatability of only +/-1 µm. The ball screws anti-backlash nut ensures any backlash is avoided.

Further information concerning  linear displacement accuracy, resolution, flatness, straightness or pitch, yaw, and roll can be found in the specific datasheet available for download:

Ball Screw Driven X: AI-SBS-(TRAVEL)00-UII-(BRAKE OPTION)

High-Force, High-Payload X: AI-XBS-(TRAVEL)00-UII

ALIO’s Micron 2 Rotary Stages utilize frameless torque motors and angular contact, duplex pair bearings. These stages are designed to achieve maximum possible throughput without compromising on precision, regardless of whether the application requires a smooth, continuous movement or a fast step and settle process. Also allowing decent sized apertures, those rotational stages are used in a broad selection of applications and industries such as industrial manufacturing, photonics or semiconductor metrology.

Micron II Rotary: AI-TM-(DIAMETER)RA-UII