- OEM / SystemsOEM Systems | Precision Components | Automation Sub-SystemsPI offers 1000’s of proven, off-the-shelf precision motion products that can be quickly modified for the OEM or into a custom automation sub-system.
- Meeting the Demands of OEMsOEM Systems | Precision Components | Automation Sub-SystemsPI has a long track record of working with OEMs in the most demanding industries from Semiconductor Technology to Medical Design – industries where product performance, quality, and the ability to ramp up quickly are not the only parameters required to satisfy the customer's demands. Working with technology leaders all around the world forces you to continuously improve your yield, process, and product performance. And unless your quality is outstanding, you cannot become a key supplier to major US, European, and Japanese companies in the Optics, Photonics, Semiconductor, and Automotive industry.
- Engineered Motion / Automation Sub-SystemsPrecision Automation Solutions | Engineered SystemsPI is a supplier of high-end precision motion systems and makes use of own drive components and high-precision positioners to build customized positioning and automation sub-systems —“motion engines”—for our customers. With the largest portfolio of precision motion technologies in the industry, PI engineers have the best foundation to find a solution that matches your requirements in terms of precision, quality and budget – in a timeframe that works for you.
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- ProductsPrecision Motion Technologies | Positioning SystemsOverview of the Broadest & Deepest Portfolio of Precision Motion and Automation Technologies from Piezo to Air Bearings and Linear Motors
- Products: Overview, New, Finder, ShopFind Precision Positioning Solutions Quickly - Product Finder | PI USAWith thousands of standard products and customization available, PI has the motion control positioning product solution for your application.
- Products OverviewProducts OverviewOverview of the Broadest & Deepest Portfolio of Precision Motion and Automation Technologies from Piezo to Air Bearings and Linear Motors
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- Product FinderUse the PI Product Finder - it's fast and easy!Select the product type specified by the axes of motion required. Selection of more criteria expands or shortens the list of results. Select more than one filter at at time, for example, to find positioning stages designed for higher load capacity, too.
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- Air Bearings & Ultra High Precision StagesAir Bearing Stages | Motorized | Linear | RotaryAir bearings provide advantages over mechanical bearings when vibration-free motion is required, highly constant velocity control is crucial, and when angular repeatability and geometric performance must be optimal. Air bearing stages (linear, rotary, and spherical) replace mechanical contact by a thin air film, avoiding wear, friction, vibration, and hysteresis effects.
- Miniature Positioning StagesMiniature Positioning Stages | Supplier | ManufacturerCompact positioning stages are crucial for the miniaturization process in cutting-edge research and industrial applications, for test & measurement, optical and opto-mechanical alignment, and component assembly. PI provides the largest portfolio of miniature stages, including high-speed linear motor stages, economical stepper motor units, and ultra-compact piezo motor positioners.
- Motorized Stages: Linear, Rotary, XYMotorized Stages | Positioning | ManufacturerPI offers the broadest and deepest range of precision motion technologies for micro and nano precision applications. Our engineers work with our customers to find the best drive and bearing technology for each individual application. Having access to multiple drive and positioning technologies allows an open discussion with a better outcome for the customer.
- Overview - Motorized Linear/Rotary StagesOverview - Motorized Linear/Rotary Stages
- Linear StagesLinear Stages - Precision Positioning Solutions | PI USASeveral types of motorized precision linear translation stages | PI USA
- Fast Linear Motor Stages and ActuatorsOverview: Linear Stage, Linear Motor Driven, Fast Brushless Motor Positioning Stages | PI USABrushless linear motor-driven stages provide high speed, precision and long life.
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- XY StagesXY Stages – 2-Axis Motorized Precision Positioning Stages | PI USASeveral types of planar XY stages: Direct-driven stages, ball-screw stages and air bearing planar XY stages
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- Rotary Stages / GoniometersPrecision Rotation Stage, High Resolution Rotary Positioners, Rotation Tables, Goniometers, by PI USASeveral types of motorized rotation stages: Direct-driven stages, ball-bearing stages and air bearing stages
- Heavy Duty Stages / Industrial AutomationHigh Speed / Performance Positioning Stages for Automation - Linear Stages | Rotary Stages | PI USAHigh performance motorized stages, designed for heavy duty applications in industrial precison automation.
- Sub-Systems for AutomationSYS > Engineered Motion/Automation Sub-SystemsThe PI group employs over 1,200 people in 15 countries and runs engineering and manufacturing centers on 3 continents. Select from the broadest portfolio of precision motion technologies, including piezoelectric and air bearing systems, with 1,000’s of standard products or have our engineers provide you with a custom solution.
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- Linear ActuatorsActuators | Precision | Linear | Actuator SystemA precision linear actuator is a positioning device that provides motion in 1 degree of freedom. PI designs and manufactures a variety of precision linear actuators (pushers) including economical stepper-motor driven actuators, high-speed linear motor types for automation and nanometer precise piezo-motor actuators.
- Gantries / Cartesian RobotsGantry Stages | Gantries | Cartesian RobotA gantry precision positioning stage is sometimes called a linear robot or Cartesian robot. Gantries typically provide motion in 2 or 3 linear degrees of freedom (X-Y and X-Y-Z) and are often used for pick and place applications, 3D printing or laser machining, and welding applications.
- 6-Axis Hexapods / Parallel PositionersHexapod Positioner | Six DOF | Stewart PlatformsHexapod positioners are often referred to as Stewart Platforms. A hexapod is based on a 6-axis (XYZ, Pitch, Roll, Yaw) actuator system arranged in parallel between a top and bottom platform. PI parallel kinematics (PKM) precision positioning systems have many advantages over serial kinematics stages, such as lower inertia, improved dynamics, smaller package size and higher stiffness. In addition hexapods are more flexible than conventional 6 axis positioners.
- 6-Axis Hexapods / Parallel Positioners6-Axis Hexapods / Parallel Positioners
- Control of Hexapod / Stewart Platforms: Hexapod Motion Controllers & Simulation Software6DOF Motion Platforms | Hexapod Controllers & Simulation Software | Stewart Platform | ManufacturerControllers, software and accessories for Hexapod Stewart platforms and parallel kinematic motion systems | PI USA
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- Piezo Flexure Nanopositioning StagesNanometer Precision: Piezo Stages for Nanopositioning, Piezo Nanopositioners, Piezo Flexure Scanning Stages | PI USAPI offers the broadest and deepest portfolio of nanometer precision motion technologies, from piezo-driven nanopositioning and scanning stages to motorized 6-axis hexapod positioning systems.
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- Linear Piezo Flexure StagesLinear Piezo Stages for Nanopositioning – Flexure-Guided Precision NanoPositioners | PI USALargest selection of frictionless, high performance piezo-stack-driven flexure linear nanopositioning stages | PI USA
- Vertical & Tip/Tilt Piezo StagesPiezo Z-Stage, Piezo Z-Tip-Tilt Platform. Flexure Guided Nanopositioning Stages| PI USALarge selection of Piezo Z-Stages and Tip/Tilt scanners with nanometer precision | PI USA
- Fast Steering Mirrors & Tip/Tilt PlatformsPiezo Steering Mirrors | Active Optics
- Nanofocus Lens ScannersFast Piezo Focus Lens Positioners and Scanners – Piezo Flexure Guided Precision Positioners | PI USALargest Selection of Nano-Focus drives for microscope lenses – flexure-guided precision positioners
- XY Piezo Flexure StagesPiezo Stages | XY | Nanopositioning StagesLargest selection of integrated XY piezo flexure stages with nanometer precision.
- XYZ Piezo Flexure StagesXYZ Piezo Nanopositioning Stages – Flexure Guided 3-Axis Precision Positioners | PI USALargest selection of integrated XYZ piezo flexure stages with nanometer precision.
- 6-Axis Piezo Flexure Stages6-Axis Piezo Nanopositioning Stages – Flexure Guided Precision Positioners | PI USAPiezo-driven fast steering mirrors (FSM) achieve nanoradian resolution and high bandwidth.
- Tutorial - Piezo NanopositioningNanometer Precision: Nanopositioning Basics Tutorial. Piezo Nanopositioners, Scanning Stages, Flexure Guided Positioners | PI USAThere are several ways to achieve nanometer precision motion. The best positioning systems avoid friction all together, in both the drive system (motor) and in the guiding system (bearings). Frictionless bearings also avoid the bearing rumble caused by balls and rollers and provide vibration-free motion with highly constant velocity.
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- Piezo Motors: Stages & ActuatorsPiezo Motors | Linear Motor Positioners | ManufacturerPiezo Motors are intrinsically vacuum compatible, non-magnetic and self locking at rest, providing long travel compared to traditional piezo mechanisms. The individual drive concepts are optimized for different applications, they differ in their design, size, cost, force & speed and other performance parameters.
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- Actuators with Piezo MotorsCompact precision linear actuators stages with several types of piezo motor drives – ultrasonic, stick-slip, piezo-walk, piezo-ratchet. | PI USA
- Linear Stages with Piezo MotorsPrecision linear stages with several types of piezo motor drives – ultrasonic, stick-slip, piezo-walk, piezo-ratchet. | PI USA
- XY Stages with Piezo MotorsXY piezo motor linear stages with several types of precision piezo motor drives – ultrasonic, stick-slip, piezo-walk | PI USA
- XY Piezo Flexure StagesXY Piezo Flexure StagesHigh-precision 2-axis nanopositioning systems integrate PICMA® piezo actuators for maximum reliability. Repeatable, drift-free positioning with optimal stability is possible by the use of high-quality nanometrology sensors.
- Rotary Stages with Piezo MotorsRotary piezo motor stages with several types of precision piezo motors– ultrasonic, stick-slip (inertia), | PI USA
- Tutorial - Piezo Motion ControlWhy All Piezo Motors are NOT Created Equal: The piezoelectric effect for precision motion control - PI Physik Instrumente.The demand for higher speed and/or precision in fields such as bio-nanotechnology, semiconductors, metrology, data comm, and photonics keep pushing manufacturers to come up with innovative drive technologies.
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- Piezo Transducers & ActuatorsPiezo Actuator | Piezo Transducer | ManufacturerPiezoelectric translators (transducers) are precision ceramic actuators which convert electrical energy directly into linear motion with high speed, force and virtually unlimited resolution. These actuators are used in every modern high tech field from semiconductor test & inspection to super-resolution microscopy, bio-nanotechnology and astronomy/aerospace technology.
- Piezo Actuators & Transducers: Stacks, Chips, Benders, Tubes, Spheres, Shear…Piezo Actuators & Transducers: Stacks, Chips, Benders, Tubes, Spheres, Shear…
- Value-Added Piezo Transducers & Piezo AssembliesValue Added Piezo Assemblies: Transducers, Actuators, Sensors, Manufactured by PI CeramicDeveloping and manufacturing piezo ceramic materials and components are complex processes. PI Ceramic - PI’s piezo material design and manufacturing facility - boasts several decades of experience as well as the right tools for rapid prototyping of custom engineered piezo components and assemblies. From the formulation of advanced piezo materials to the processing steps such as cutting, milling, grinding, and the precision assembly, every stage is controlled by our engineers and product specialists.
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- Piezo Actuators & Transducers: Stacks, Chips, Benders, Tubes, Spheres, Shear…
- Microscopy, Bio-Imaging, Life SciencesHigh Precision Microscope Stages, Piezo Lens Scanners, Tools for Bio-Imaging | PI-USAPiezo nano-positioning stages are essential tools for high-resolution microscopy, such as Super Resolution Microscopy or AFM. Their sub-atomic resolution and extremely fast response allow researchers to create higher-quality images faster. PI provides a large variety of fast Z-Stages and collar piezo objective positioners for 3D imaging (Z-stack acquisition), deconvolution, and fast focusing applications.
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- Applications: Life Sciences / MedicalPrecision motion control for medical engineering and life sciences applications | PI USA
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- Photonics Alignment SolutionsActive Photonics Alignment | Optics Alignment | SolutionsPI provides a variety of innovative fiber alignment systems from motorized fiber positioners to automated optic and photonic alignment such as used in telecommunication, data commumication and for packaging / automation. In addition to fiber-based applications, fast steering systems for free-space-optical communication are also available. Products range from motorized 6D micromotion alignment systems for industrial photonics automation, through ultra-fast piezoelectric scanning & alignment modules to modular devices with manual control for laboratory test setups. All motorized systems come with extensive software for easy setup and integration.
- Vacuum Positioning Stages & ActuatorsVacuum / UHV Compatible Stages - Linear & Rotary Positioners for Vacuum, Wide Temperature Ranges | PI USAPI miCos has extensive experience in the design and manufacturing of vacuum and high vacuum compatible precision optomechanical positioning equipment for low temperature and wide temperature ranges. We provide translation stages, vertical linear stages, rotation stages, XY stages and complex multi-axis positioning systems in vacuum spec.
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- Controllers, Drivers, Motion SoftwareMotion Controllers, Piezo Drivers-High Voltage Amplifiers, and Motion Software Overview | PI USA
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- Piezo Controller, Driver, Nanopositioning Controller, High-Voltage Amplifier, Piezo Power Supply by PI USAPiezo Drivers | Piezo Motion Controllers | ManufacturerA piezo controller or driver is used to control the motion of a piezo positioning device. There are open and closed loop controllers. Open-loop controllers are often referred to as piezo driver or even piezo power supply. Closed-loop controllers are divided in two basic types: analog-servo and digital servo controllers.
- Controllers/Drivers for Motorized StagesMotion Controller | Drivers | Positioning SystemsPI provides a large variety of hardware & software solutions for high precision motion control. Our portfolio spans from integrated compact single axis servo controllers / drivers, such as popular Mercury-class motion controllers, to complex multi-axis systems for parallel-kinematics positioners, such as hexapods.
- ACS Motion ControlACS Motion Control for Industrial AutomationWe recommend the controllers of our partner, ACS Motion Control especially for automation with industrial standards. Ask us about your integrated solution!
- Software - Motion Control SoftwareMotion Control Software | Software Tools | Positioning SolutionsFor LabView, C++, VB, Matlab, Image Acquisitiong Packages, NI DAC Cards, ..... PI provides high-level, robust, easy-to-use software tools for fast, seamless integration of motion systems into application control software.
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- Capacitive SensorsNanometer Resolution: Capacitance Sensors for Nano-Measuring, Nano-Metrology | PIA capacitive sensor is a proximity sensor that detects nearby objects by their effect on the electrical field created by the sensor.
- Accessories: Plates, Brackets, CablesAdapters and Cables for PI Precision Motion ComponentsStandardization is common with adapter plates and brackets, but we can create a custom accessory to fit your application system. PI products ship with the required cables. Customization is always an option.
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Summary
Hexapods, six-legged parallel-kinematic machines, are quickly gaining ground in a broad range of industrial automation applications after “learning” how to directly communicate with PLC or CNC controllers via fieldbus interfaces. As far as the semiconductor and electronics industry, automobile industry, and precision assembly are concerned, many production processes have become inconceivable without them. Today, the six-axis positioning systems are available with load capacity from 2kg to 2000kg and travel from 10 to hundreds of millimeters, while maintaining sub-micron precision. Hexapods are used for aligning the smallest optical components in the latest Silicon Photonics production processes, as controlling automated labeling machines, and positioning entire body parts for automotive production. The intrinsic Hexapod features contribute to a wealth of new possibilities in robotics.
There are two methods of constructing multi-axis positioning systems: serial kinematics and parallel kinematics. Stacked serial kinematic systems are easy to design and control. However, there are a number of drawbacks compared to the more powerful and elegant group of parallel kinematic machines.
Parallel Kinematics and Their Advantages
Each actuator in a serial-kinematic multi-axis system is assigned to exactly one degree of freedom. When position sensors are integrated, they are also each assigned to one drive and only measure the motion on the corresponding positioning axis. Any undesirable motion in the other five degrees of freedom, which for example, occur as a result of guiding errors of the individual axes, cannot be detected or compensated. Contrary, in a Hexapod, all actuators directly drive the same platform. The accumulation of drive train and guiding errors – common with stacked systems – does not occur with well-designed parallel kinematics.
Hexapods also have no dragged cables, reducing friction or torque on the motion platform while increasing lifetime. In addition, Hexapods are stiffer, more compact, and together with a significantly reduced inertia (moving mass), can provide faster response and settling resulting in higher dynamics, repeatability, and accuracy.
Mechanics, Controls, and Software
While the mechanical design is critical for stiffness, accuracy, repeatability, and lifetime, and many details (such as spherical rolling joints) that seem like a good idea at first glance turn out to be a dead end, the flexibility and versatility depends on the controller and software.
Hexapod six-axis positioning systems are available with load ratings from 2kg to 2000kg and travel ranges from just a few to several hundred millimeters, providing precision in the sub-micrometer realm. Applications include alignment of Silicon Photonics components, semiconductor manufacturing, as well as the positioning of entire body parts in automobile production. (Image: PI) For example, unlike with serial kinematics, if you want to move a platform in just one axis, the controller has to change the individual lengths of each strut – some will extend and some will contract. The required coordinate transformations and path calculations need a powerful controller capable of running 100’s of thousands of operations per second, because there is no linear dependence on the current coordinates. The stiffest mechanical designs are based on cardanic joints with an offset between the axes, making the math even more complex.
Robust Hexapod joints: (left) Cardanic joints with Z-offset provide the highest stiffness, and best orientation-independent performance but require more advanced algorithms. (right) Spherical bearings are not recommended due to their lower stiffness and directional dependency. (Image: PI) Generally, there is no analytical solution, and CPU-intensive, iterative algorithms are required to recalculate the complex Hexapod kinematics for each step. All of this is transparent to the user who does not need to worry about implementing the Hexapod kinematics on the PLC.
Hexapods with cardanic Z-offset joints combine high stiffness with high precision as shown in the graphs above. Here, Y-axis motion of an H-811 hexapod is measured with a laser interferometer, to determine linearity and repeatability. For full travel moves, the RMS repeatability is ±71nm and ±55nm for 2mm travel. The X and Z performance is on the same level. (Image: PI) Learn more A dedicated digital Hexapod controller, continuously improved over 3 decades, serves motion with sub-micron precision by tightly controlling each actuator in real time. Linear and rotary motion of the platform is simply commanded in Cartesian coordinates.
Weatherproof Hexapods, such as the H-850k model shown above, align the secondary reflectors in the world’s largest astronomical telescope: The ALMA observatory in Chile (Image: PI) Learn more An essential feature of the Hexapod system allows the adaptation of both the position and the alignment of the reference coordinate system and the pivot point by simple software commands.
To adapt the trajectory perfectly to the requirements of the application, work and tool coordinate systems can be defined referring to the position of the workpiece or tool. This function saves valuable time in industrial automation and photonics alignment tasks.
All PLC standard language functions are available for controlling the Hexapod systems; the controller communicates with the Hexapod via a standard protocol. Established fieldbus protocols, such as EtherCAT or ProfiNET, are available for this purpose; additional RS232 and TCP/IP interfaces are integrated as well. With the help of these interfaces, it is possible to exchange time-synchronized data, such as target and actual positions or status information, in real time both with the Hexapod system and any other components in the network.
PI Hexapods can work with multiple coordinate systems and allow the user to change the center of rotation or cast / rotate a coordinate system with a simple software command – an important feature when using the Hexapod in precision machining applications. (Image: PI) In a typical automation application, the corresponding Cartesian target positions, or trajectories, are generated by a master controller (e.g., a standard software PLC with TwinCAT) and transmitted to the Hexapod system, via the EtherCAT protocol or similar, and in return, the actual positions and status information can be polled. System parameters, such as the center of rotation and the coordinate systems, can also be conveniently configured. The Hexapod system behaves as an intelligent multi-axis drive on the bus.
Examples of Use in Manufacturing and Quality Assurance
The areas of application for the versatile Hexapods are broad-ranging, because there is no difference between precision positioning of semiconductor components or mechatronic components or heavy loads.
For example, automated 6D alignment systems take care of important tasks during testing and manufacturing of accessories for MEMS (Microelectromechanical Systems) camera sensors and photonics components, including the alignment of optical fibers and fiber arrays, the production of optical lenses.
Hexapods can be combined with Cartesian robots (gantry systems) to provide very large motion ranges and high flexibility.
The video shows an application in fiber array alignment and other photonics test and manufacturing processes.Further applications can be found in the “classical” industrial environment, such as material processing, when several axes are required, or inspection systems in the automobile industry. Precision alignment on several axes can also be important for heavy objects, such as mirrors and reflectors in large telescopes, precisely positioning and aligning patients to a radiation source for tumor diagnosis and therapy or inspection systems for large-format flat panels.
Precision alignment of headlamps in a coordinate measuring machine (Image: Dymaco) Learn more Hexapods can carry loads up to 2 tons at any orientation and if required, be mounted upside down. Because the maximum permissible load of a Hexapod system depends on various parameters, such as the mounting position, the center of gravity of the load and the current position, suitable simulation programs are supplied that enable convenient set-up. They also allow easy determination of workspace and motion limits depending on the selected center of rotation or the current position.
Fast Motion and Scanning
Motion simulators make high demands on motion dynamics. They repeatedly perform defined motion cycles, for example, for quality assurance and function monitoring of products in mobile use. Typical examples for this include inspection systems for acceleration or gyroscopic sensors, like those used in smartphones, cell phones, and cameras for detecting changes in position. They are tested by means of a specified motion pattern.
Complex patterned motion generation is becoming increasingly important for applications such as vehicular simulation and airborne platform simulation and test and Hexapods with advanced controllers and software can perform complex profiles in 6 degrees of freedom. More information > (Image: PI) Learn more Similarly, this applies during testing of image stabilization systems in cameras when the algorithms and mechanics are tested for effectiveness. For this, precise, repeatable, natural, and artificial motion must be simulated with the same dynamics and accuracy on all linear and rotary axes. Hexapods are predestined for these tasks and PI offers Hexapod systems that are certified according to CIPA (Camera and Imaging Product Association), which are used for testing image stabilization systems.
H-840 Hexapod in a camera image stabilization testbed with STEVE 6D (Stabilization Evaluation Equipment) system (Image: Image Engineering) Learn more Software for Hexapods
The digital motion controllers from PI are supplied with a comprehensive software package that covers all application aspects, starting with easy start-up to the convenient control of the systems using graphical interfaces to fast and manageable integration into external programs.
A virtual controller allows development of application programs without any of the components at hand. Simulation tools help to calculate the workspace and make sure that collisions with external objects are avoided. A mobile app enables wireless monitoring and control. Development libraries and example applications simplify implementation and the following common programming languages and software environments are supported (C, C++, Python, Visual C++, Visual Basic, and Delphi or LabVIEW, MATLAB, μManager, EPICS, TANGO, MetaMorph as well as all programming environments that support loading of DLLs).
Hexapods: Solutions for Automotive Industry – Learn more Author: Dr. Markus Frietsch, R&D Department Software & Applications at PI (Physik Instrumente) and Stefan Vorndran, VP Marketing, PI USA
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- Aero-Space
- Air Bearing Stages, Components, Systems
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- Linear Motor, Positioning System
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- Multi-Axis Motion
- Nanopositioning
- Photonics
- Piezo Actuators, Motors
- Piezo Mechanics
- Piezo Transducers / Sensors
- Precision Machining
- Software Tools
- UHV Positioning Stage
- Voice Coil Linear Actuator
- X-Ray Spectroscopy
USA / Canada
contact@pi-usa.usEAST
(508) 832-3456
MIDWEST
(508) 832-3456
WEST
(949) 679-9191 (LA Area & Mexico)
(408) 533-0973 (Silicon Valley/Bay Area) - Resources