PI’s new high-resolution hexapod for photonics and optics is compact

PI has introduced an ultra-high-resolution, high-stability hexapod to its family of compact hexapods for photonics, optics, silicon photonics, and microscopy applications. Designed specifically for the precise alignment of high-resolution miniature lenses and photonics components, the H-811.S2iHP hexapod uses six low-friction, long-life actuators and 12 precision cardanic joints with offset axes, ensuring enhanced stiffness.

This hexapod is engineered to provide a resolution of 1.4 nm, and the platform delivers in-position stability of 3 nm. With a maximum velocity of 20 mm/sec, fast acceleration, and a load capacity of 5.5 lb, the H-811.S2iHP is suitable for aligning, testing, and assembling miniature optics and photonics components. Despite its compact size, it offers linear travel ranges up to 34 mm in XYZ and rotary motions (pitch, yaw, and roll) up to 42°. A user-programmable pivot point further facilitates the alignment of lenses, fiber optics, and photonics systems.

Designed for industrial precision alignment applications, the hexapod incorporates low-friction precision ballscrews, precision joints, and long-life brushless motors to ensure reliability and durability. It is paired with a powerful hexapod controller featuring advanced multi-axis alignment routines at the firmware level. These routines enable tasks like first light detection, optimization, tracking, and array alignment, making the hexapod an ideal tool for automated photonic and optical alignment tasks.

Hexapods are 6-degree-of-freedom (6 DOF) motion systems capable of movement in XYZ and rotations in pitch, yaw, and roll. They are based on actuators arranged in parallel between the top and bottom platforms and controlled by a powerful controller handling the hexapod kinematics — so the user only needs to send commands in common Cartesian coordinates.

Available in various sizes, from base diameters of 100 mm to 1 m, and load capacities of up to 2 tons, PI hexapods are versatile solutions for complex multi-axis precision motion needs. Equipped with controllers and software tools based on 30+ years of R&D, these systems enable fast and precise implementation across diverse applications, from medical devices to photonics. PI Hexapod key features include:

• Cartesian coordinate control for all six axes
• Dynamic, software-configurable center of rotation
• Easy connectivity — only 2 cables for all six axes
• Elimination of friction and torque caused by cable drag
• Higher stiffness and dynamics than comparable serial kinematic positioning systems
• Central aperture

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