A Forceful Answer to the Latest Challenge in Precision Industrial Motion Control

A host of applications can benefit from high-throughput, high-precision position control combined with accurate force control and metrology.  These include:

• Delicate, fast automated assembly procedures where position vs. force is important;
• Materials testing of compliance, damping or other physical characteristics;
• Production testing of touch- and force-sensitive and haptic components;
• Precision pick-and-place of sensitive componentry at high speeds.

Until now, no integrated solution has been available that addresses the needs of OEM and industrial applications of this sort-- especially their throughput and uptime requirements, but also including sensitivities to the milli-Newton level, submicron positional resolution, and smooth, automatic transitions between position- and force-control regimes.

Besides offering ultraprecision position control with up to 250mm/sec speeds, PI's innovative new V-273 PIMag™ Voice Coil Linear Actuator and compact C-413 PIMag™ Controller provide a revolutionary combination of capabilities for high-throughput generation of precision forces and positions.

High-speed interfaces including real-time DIO, and high-speed TCP/IP Ethernet and USB 2 interfaces are available.  A 100nm position encoder is integrated into the mechanism; a force sensor with 5 milli-Newton resolution is optional.  The C-413 controller allows swift position or force control and offers combined force-and-position control.  An integrated data recorder provides sub-sub-millisecond acquisition for later retrieval, or the standard DIO interface is programmable and can provide triggering of motions or external equipment based on position or increment.

C-413 is supported by PI's extensive software offering, including PI MikroMove (a comprehensive Windows GUI) and comprehensive dynamic libraries for Windows, Linux and OS X.  Alternatively, since this unit utilizes the same General Command Set that all PI controllers do, you can communicate with it via simple ASCII strings-- ideal for legacy automation controllers often found on factory floors.  Broad and deep support for LabVIEW is provided, and also offered is support for National Instruments' CompactRIO Programmable Automation Controllers.  The system is readily controlled via its standard TTL DIO interface or available 24V EMI-resistant DIO interface, suitable for the noisiest factory floors.  If desired, an integrated ground path to the tip can be configured.

We introduced this new system with a compelling demonstration at BIOS/Photonics West in San Francisco, where it ran all week generating nearly a quarter million mN-precision force/position transitions with speeds to 250mm/sec, with in informative graphical application that explained what was going on.  A brief close-up video of the force-actuator tip is presented below; it includes a 120 fps segment that vividly shows the fast, smooth, force-controlled motions of this remarkable new actuator as it gently impacts a glass substrate, each step concluding with the precisely calibrated force set-point.

V-273 is just part of a rapidly-growing family of catalog and custom solutions offering different travels and force capabilities.  Contact one of our global offices for expert consultation, responsive support, and cost-effective recommendations for your application.