ATX165SL and SLE Mechanical-Bearing, Screw-Driven Linear Stage

Description

Design Features

• Travel lengths up to 250 mm with anti-creep crossed-roller bearings
• Optional center-mounted linear encoder for direct position feedback
• Versatile features and options enable convenient integration into a larger machine or use as a stand-alone positioning axis
• Vacuum- and cleanroom-compatible versions available
• Available with ThermoComp® for reliable performance in changing environments

Superior Motion Performance

Featuring anti-creep crossed-roller bearings and a precision-ground, fine-pitch ball-screw, the ATX165SL/SLE boasts excellent geometric performance and minimal angular error motion. With up to 250 mm of nominal travel, the ATX165SL/SLE offers superior minimum incremental step size and in-position stability compared to other stages that utilize recirculating ball bearings. This makes the ATX165SL/SLE ideal for many high-precision tasks such as vertical positioning of sensors and cameras, optics focusing, and beamline measurement and manipulation applications.

Linear Encoder Option

The ATX165SLE offers an integral center-mounted linear encoder to provide direct position measurement at the stage’s moving carriage. The typical effects of backlash commonly associated with screw drives are virtually eliminated when using the linear encoder as a position feedback device. Applications that require exacting workpoint performance benefit greatly from the ATX165SL’s direct linear encoder. Options are available with either incremental (1 Vpp and digital TTL) or absolute output signals.

Design and Integration Flexibility

The ATX165SL/SLE is designed with a variety of standard features and available options, allowing it to be easily integrated into a larger subsystem or machine, or to serve as a stand-alone positioning axis. It mounts to both metric and English optical tables and features a versatile customer mounting interface on the moving carriage to which other positioning stages or equipment can be mounted. Brushless, slotless servomotors, with or without a holding brake, as well as stepper motors, are available options. The ATX165SL/SLE can be equipped with an optional motor foldback kit in order to reduce the overall length of the stage. This is particularly useful in vertical-axis applications where space is limited. Vacuum and cleanroom-compatible variants are also available.

Mitigate Thermal Errors with ThermoComp®

Temperature changes and thermal effects are often the most detrimental sources of error in precision machines, and screw drives are particularly susceptible. All ATX-series stages are available with Aerotech’s ThermoComp® feature, an integrated temperature compensation solution that delivers accurate and dependable positioning performance in the presence of thermal disturbances. It protects the stage from the effects of variable-temperature environments and friction-induced self-heating, ultimately providing stability to the user’s process, even in extreme industrial environments.