PI (Physik Instrumente) L.P. – a leading manufacturer of precision parallel kinematics motion control systems — has released a new miniature hexapod for vacuum applications. A non-vacuum version is also available.

The new M-811.STV miniature vacuum-compatible hexapod measures only 130 mm in diameter and 115 mm in height, yet provides precision motion in all six degrees of freedom.

Versatile, for Small Vacuum ChambersBecause of its small size, the M-811.STV is easily integrated into vacuum chambers. Its versatility and ease of use – the user can randomly set the center of rotation by a simple software command – highly facilitate operations in vacuum.

Features & Advantages:

Small but High Load Capacity: 11 lb (5 kg)
High Precision: Actuator Resolution 0.04µm, Repeatability : ±0.5µm
Versatile Motion: 6 Degrees of Freedom + Randomized Center of Rotation
Velocity to 10 mm/sec
XYZ-Travel: 35/35/13mm; Rotations: XYZ: 20°/20°/40°
Digital Controller and Software Included

Software, Programming and Controller
Like all PI parallel kinematic Hexapod positioners, the miniature vacuum Hexapod comes bundled with software and a highly specialized digital controller with high-speed Ethernet connectivity. Programming and commanding the Hexapod is simple and straight-forward, as all positions are conveniently given in Cartesian coordinates (XYZ, Theta X, Theta Y, Theta Z).

Parallel Kinematics vs Conventional Serial Kinematics
Parallel-kinematics positioning systems have several advantages over conventional stacked multi-axis positioners. All six actuators directly affect one common platform, significantly reducing mass and inertia. Moreover, there is no accumulation of the lateral and angular runout errors of the individual axes. Unlike rotation stages and goniometers which come with a fixed center of rotation, the PI Hexapod concept lets the user set and change the pivot any time via software.

Hexapod Applications, Range
Today, hexapod applications are found in all technology fields: high-energy physics, medical engineering, X-ray microscopy, photonics alignment, semiconductor test & metrology, astronomy, precision machining, aeronautics, etc. PI is the leading manufacturer of precision micropositioning and nanopositioning hexapods. The company introduced its first hexapod 2 decades ago for a precision alignment system in an astronomical telescope and provides a large variety of different models with load capacity from 2 kg to more than 2,000 kg.