Jan. 04, 2012

Ametek Acquires Technical Manufacturing Corporation

Ametek Inc. has acquired Technical Manufacturing Corporation (TMC) , a world leader in high-performance vibration isolation systems and optical test benches used to isolate highly sensitive instruments for the microelectronics, life sciences, photonics and ultra-precision manufacturing industries.
The privately held manufacturer, headquartered in Peabody, MA, has estimated annual sales of approximately $30 million. moreNov. 12, 2011

TILL Photonics Introduces Microscope Z-Drive “VoiceCoil”

VoiceCoil from TILL Photonics combines the range of a stepper motor driven coarse drive (22mm) with the precision of a piezo at an exceptional speed. moreJun. 15, 2011

Physik Instrumente Offers a Positioning System for Incremental Motions in the Nanometer Range

With the N-664 linear positioning stage, Physik Instrumente (PI) has developed a micro linear positioning stage for dynamic operation with a maximum velocity of 10 mm/s. moreDec. 14, 2010

Compact Piezo Motor Linear Stage

Newport Corporation introduces the newest member of the CONEX integrated stage and controller product series. The compact CONEX-AGP controller is preconfigured with an Agilis AG-LS25-27P linear stage that includes an innovative, miniature, built-in, direct-read linear encoder. The CONEX-AG-LS25-27P, which integrates both products, offers quick set up and control with closed-loop positioning performance at an affordable price. moreJul. 17, 2010

Nanometer-Level Positioning with a Clear Aperture of up to 29 mm

More and more techniques in microscopy, today, require an improved resolution. This often requires the combination of a large numerical aperture of the objective, that is a large clear aperture, and a large working distance along the optical axis. 3D images of living tissue are then possible, for example with the help of two-photon spectroscopy.
For this purpose, PI now offers a PIFOC piezo Z-drive for objectives with a clear aperture of up to 29 mm. moreMay. 21, 2010

Fast Steps with Nanometer Precision

Piezo stepping drives from Physik Instrumente (PI) can be combined with a high-resolution linear encoder for nanometer accuracy over the complete scanning range - and are now also available for PIFOC focusing systems for microscope objectives.
The N-725 PIFOC scanner for microscope objectives with Nexact piezo stepping drives provides travel ranges of up to one millimeter along the optical axis. At the same time the technology allows rapid positioning: The N-725 focusing system achieves transient times of around 20 milliseconds for steps of 200 nanometers. moreApr. 14, 2010

Ultrasonic Motor Powers –

Physik Instrumente announced the M-692 series of low-profile, ultrasonic linear translation stages designed for high-speed positioning tasks with limited space. These stages are low profile, closed-loop, linear motor-equipped, micropositioning systems. Two standard versions are available: M-692.1U4 with 20 mm stroke and M-692.2U4 providing 90 mm. Both versions are equipped with integrated linear encoders for backlash-free positioning. The stages can be arranged to form compact XY systems. moreMar. 11, 2010

Low-Cost Drive Electronics

The compact Nexact piezo stepping drives from Physik Instrumente (PI) push forward into a new performance class for linear drives: with forces of 10 N, velocities of more than 10 mm/s, and at resolutions of a few nanometers they replace the typical stepper or DC servomotors in applications that depend on the combination of force and resolution on large travel ranges. The E-862 driver electronics is the ideal control for the drives when operated in open-loop or when used with an external positioning and velocity control. moreNov. 01, 2009

Nano Focusing in Automated Microscopy

Advanced imaging microscopy often demands that images are collected with both speed and precision. Stepper motor driven focus mechanisms often do not meet the requirements essential to the success of the most demanding applications. New methods of automating the focus mechanism based on piezo drives offer a potential route to solve this problem. However it can be said that not all piezo drives were created equal, with certain formats offering far greater flexibility than others! moreJul. 01, 2007

XY Open-Frame Piezo Motor Stage + Linear Encoders

The M-686 piezo motor stages from Physik Instrumente (PI) are designed for fast sample positioning in microscopy. This closed-loop, XY stage is equipped with 0.1 µm resolution linear encoders and provides high speeds of up to 100 mm/sec. The low-profile height of 27 mm makes for an easy-to-integrate system. A number of PI piezo flexure stages can be mounted directly on the M-686. Depending on the application, these specialised nanopositioning systems are available as XY scanners or as vertical Z positioners. more