The industrial, medical, life science and semiconductor industries are under acute pressure to improve throughput and ROI. To deliver the desired yields, automated equipment must be faster and more accurate.That means motion components in automated equipment cannot compromise on precise positioning and performance. Vertical — or Z-axis — positioning stages are one such component, thanks to their increased use in robotics and smart manufacturing equipment. This blog post will describe the important features to look for in a high-precision Z-axis positioning stage for automated equipment in a wide range of industries.

Z-axis positioning stages are motorized devices that move loads in a vertical direction without deviating from the linear path. These mechanisms are particularly appropriate for use in pick and place, inspection, dispensing, inspection equipment, 3D printers or any other material handling or general industrial application. To achieve the best performance in demanding equipment, it pays to select Z-axis positioning stages with the following attributes:

  • Direct drive technology. Direct drive motors deliver high torque relative to their small size with less heat generation. This high torque constant means they offer accurate and repeatable positioning, plus high acceleration and deceleration rates with little cogging.
  • Effective gravity compensation. Z-axis direct drive modules require a form of gravity compensation. Magnetic springs are ideal for load balancing in Z-axis direct drive module applications and offer more advantages than mechanical springs or air cylinders. Using the stored energy of permanent magnets inside a slider and stator, magnetic springs maintain a constant direction and magnitude within a specific travel range.
  • Compact size. Precise vertical positioning is critical in high-precision semiconductor equipment and other applications with sub-micron positioning requirements. However, space inside these mechanisms is typically at a premium. Z-axis direct drive modules come in compact sizes to fit within ever-shrinking spaces.

Akribis Systems’ AFC90SMZ Series Z-axis direct drive module is an example of a high-precision motion stage that checks these important boxes and then some. Using direct drive motor technology, these units deliver 55 to 91 N peak force and continuous forces from 20 to 34 N, with strokes of 25 or 50 millimeters in a compact module. Additional features and specifications include:

  • A self-lubricating linear guide.
  • Magnetic spring balancing module capable of supporting up to 1.5-kilogram loads, with custom configurations capable of higher loads.
  • Repeatability up to ±0.5 µm.
  • Resolution of 0.05 µm.
  • Small size: 120 x 37 x 175 (H) millimeters.

These high-performance features make the AFC90SMZ Series well-suited for sub-micron positioning, optical alignment and point-to-point high-speed positioning. The AFC90SMZ can also be combined with our AFC90 linear stage to form an X-Y or X-Y-Z stage.

When it comes to high-speed, automated equipment with precise positioning needs, not all positioning tables are the same. Z-type positioning stages with direct drive motor and magnetic spring balancing technologies provide the accuracy, repeatability and fast response these demanding industries require. Akribis’ AFC90SMZ positioning motion stage provides these advantages in a compact unit to fit high-speed, yet space-constrained automated equipment.

For more information, visit www.akribis-sys.com.