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Introducing the A-688 Rotary Stage

A New Era in Precision Motion Control

PI (Physik Instrumente), a leader in precision motion control and air bearing systems, has recently launched the A-688 rotary stage, a revolutionary product that sets new benchmarks in the industry. Engineered in the USA, this motorized, air-bearing rotary stage is designed specifically for applications that demand nanometer-scale precision and reliability in challenging environments such as metrology, optics, photonics, and semiconductor manufacturing.

Key Features of the A-688

The standout feature of the A-688 is its large clear aperture of 260 mm, designed to allow optical beams, cabling, or mechanical payloads to seamlessly pass through. This characteristic makes the A-688 particularly suitable for interferometry setups, precision inspection systems, and beamline instrumentation. The air-bearing design eliminates contact between surfaces, which effectively removes issues such as wear and lubrication, ensuring a maintenance-free, smooth operation even in cleanroom or vacuum settings.

Advanced Mechanisms Inside

At its core, the A-688 is powered by a direct-drive, ironless torque motor, which guarantees ultra-smooth, cog-free rotations. This motor provides rapid acceleration and excellent velocity control, ensuring that precision tasks can be executed with extreme accuracy. The system’s high-resolution encoder feedback can be configured in incremental or absolute versions, yielding angular resolution as fine as 0.0015 µrad while maintaining minimal wobble, tilt, and runout errors.

Impressive Performance Metrics

The A-688 is engineered for high dynamics, capable of achieving angular speeds of up to 500 rpm. Other key performance metrics include:

• - Radial Error: ≤ ±0.15 µm
• - Axial Error: ≤ ±0.175 µm
• - Wobble (Tilt Error): < 1 µrad

These specifications underscore the A-688’s exceptional geometry performance, making it ideal for advanced applications.

Versatile Applications

Due to its frictionless operation, the A-688 is highly suitable for numerous demanding applications. Some of the primary uses include:

• - Optical Alignment: Perfect for beamline systems and interferometry setups.
• - Semiconductor Wafer Inspection: Critical for tasks such as lithography and mask alignment.
• - Calibration and Imaging: Used in various scanning and inspection systems.
• - Cleanroom and Vacuum Environments: Thanks to its no-particle contamination design, it is perfect for sensitive settings.

The rotary stage supports various orientations (horizontal, vertical, or inverted), allowing integration with different payloads and mount options. It can also be customized to support both point-to-point indexing and continuous scanning modes, catering to varied operational needs.

Availability and Customization

The A-688 will be available in multiple configurations, including models equipped with either incremental encoders (A-688.A100) or absolute encoders (A-688.B100). Comprehensive documentation, datasheets, and 3D models will accompany the product, and customers are encouraged to consult PI engineers for custom adaptations or multi-axis configurations.

Conclusion

In essence, the A-688 Rotary Stage from PI is set to revolutionize precision motion control across numerous industries. With its exceptional features, precision levels, and versatile applications, it represents a significant advancement in the field, particularly for tasks requiring extreme accuracy and reliability. For further details and support, visit PI’s official site.

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For enquiries, reach out at (508) 832-3456 or contact us via email. Explore how the A-688 can enhance your operational capabilities today.