Long-travel, high-dynamics V-106 scanning and positioning stages with voice coil drives have just been introduced by micro- and nanopositioning specialist Physik Instrumente (PI). The single-axis, voice coil stages are specially designed for fast scanning and positioning tasks in biotechnology, photonics and metrology. The two versions available, with 20 mm and 6 mm travel ranges, offer scanning frequencies of some tens of hertz.
Unlike leadscrew-driven translation stages, the voice coil linear-motor in the V-106 is frictionless, quiet and not subject to wear and tear. Versions of the V-106 with 20 mm travel can attain a maximum velocity of 270 mm/sec, the 6 mm version 240 mm/sec, and all feature short step-and-settling times. Reliable and precise positioning with a resolution of 0.1 µm and 0.2 µm repeatability is supported by non-contacting, optical linear encoders. Direct position metrology eliminates typical positioning errors like backlash and play.