JULY 28, 2009--The Hexapod six-axis micropositioning system is driven by six LTA actuators that have been enhanced to match the requirements of parallel kinematic systems. The antifriction-coated spherical joint design provides more than five times higher rigidity and twice the load capacity of other similarly sized hexapods. The electronic controller is based on the XPS multiaxis controller, which masters the synchronized transformations from Cartesian input coordinates to the motion of the kinematic members. Controller features include instrument grade I/Os, hardware-based input triggers, event triggers, on-the-fly data acquisition, fast TCP/IP communication, and integrated TCL programming language for on-board processes.
Newport
Irvine, CA, USA
www.newport.com
-- Posted by Carrie Meadows, Vision Systems Design, www.vision-systems.com
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PRESS RELEASE
Newport's 6-Axis Parallel Kinematic Micropositioning System
Irvine, CA - June 15, 2009 - Newport Corporation, a worldwide leader in laser and photonic solutions, introduces the high performance Hexapod, an easy-to-use and affordable 6-axis micropositioning system. The new system is driven by six industry-proven LTA actuators that have been enhanced to match the special requirements of parallel kinematic systems. The unique, anti-friction coated spherical joint design provides more than five-times higher rigidity and twice the load capacity of other hexapods of similar size.
The Hexapod electronic controller is a distinctive version of the Newport XPS advanced multi-axis controller which accurately masters the synchronized transformations from Cartesian input coordinates to the motion of the Hexapod kinematic members. Advanced features of the XPS controller, such as instrument grade I/O's, hardware-based input triggers, event triggers, high-speed on-the-fly data acquisition, fast TCP/IP communication, and integrated TCL programming language for on-board processes, make programming easier and improves throughput.
A standard feature of the powerful Hexapod XPS controller is a freely-definable, virtual pivot point which offers more flexibility in relocating both the pivot point and the entire coordinate system through advanced motion algorithms. Two user-definable coordinate systems are also provided: the TOOL coordinate system, which moves with the Hexapod, and the WORK coordinate system which is relative to the reference coordinate system. Incremental displacements are possible in either, since these are commonly-used Cartesian coordinates and positions can be easily calculated from one system to the other via a function call. These powerful functions provide a comprehensive and new way of mastering Hexapod motions without the need for complex, external coordinate transformations.
For more information, please visit: www.newport.com/hexapod or contact your local Newport sales office.
About Newport Corporation
Newport Corporation is a leading global supplier of advanced-technology products and systems to customers in the scientific research, microelectronics manufacturing, aerospace and defense/security, life and health sciences and precision industrial manufacturing markets. Newport's innovative solutions leverage its expertise in high-power semiconductor, solid-state and ultrafast lasers, photonics instrumentation, sub-micron positioning systems, vibration isolation, optical subsystems and precision automation to enhance the capabilities and productivity of its customers' manufacturing, engineering and research applications. Newport is part of the Standard & Poor's SmallCap 600 Index and the Russell Microcap Index.
