Description

Design Features

• Custom-engineered designs with linear motion components integrated directly into a granite structure
• Dual vertical ballscrew drive system allows for precise vertical positioning of large payloads
• Screw-driven, recirculating bearing-guided motion provides an ideal balance of precision and economy
• Available with direct linear encoders for enhanced position feedback
• Design is scalable based on application requirements for travel length, payload and dynamic performance

This mechanical-bearing IGM system utilizes precision-ground ball screws to position a large payload along a vertical axis of motion. The mechanical advantage of the screw-driven design can be further augmented with the addition of a reduction gearbox, depending on the payload’s mass. In horizontal orientations, screw-driven IGM systems provide cost effective yet precise linear motion for medium- to high-performance applications.

Because they are specifically engineered to meet a customer’s application requirements, IGM motion systems represent the pinnacle of design flexibility. From drive and bearing type selection to system layout and arrangement, IGM systems are available with a wide variety of value-adding accessories and state-of-the-art control electronics. Aerotech’s motion engineers regularly custom-tailor IGM systems to meet unique technical and commercial application requirements.

The integrated nature of an IGM system results in unique technical benefits. The granite structure offers increased stiffness over traditional stages in certain situations, contributing to improved dynamic performance. Further, the simplified structural design serves to reduce the axis profile and minimize design offsets, resulting in a reduction in Abbe errors and therefore more accurate motion at the desired workpoint.

See our case study for a comparison of an IGM system versus a traditional stage-on-granite system.