A NEXACT® piezo linear drive replaces the usual stepper or DC servo motor in the N-664, thus making a position resolution of far less than a nanometer possible. Aligned to it is the new PIOne optical linear encoder with a resolution of 0.5 nm, which allows for repeatable incremental motions of 2 nm.
The N-664 is equipped with precise, loadable crossed-roller bearings made of stainless steel. They provide the micro linear positioning stage with the necessary load capacity and guiding accuracy for a dynamic operation with a maximum velocity of 10 mm/s. The PIOne linear encoder uses an interferometric measurement principle and can thereby provide very precise measurement results in the subnanometer range despite high speeds.
As a direct linear drive, the NEXACT® drive is free from precision losses and can keep the position stable even when switched off. The drive does not have to be supplied with current and does not heat up.
Well-known for the high quality of their products, PI is one of the leading players in the global market for precision positioning technology for many years. PI has been developing and manufacturing standard and OEM products with piezo or motor drives for 40 years now. In addition to its three German factories, PI has eight subsidiaries and a total of over 500 employees worldwide.