The parallel-kinematic positioning system for six axes is highly convincing: The H-820 Hexapod from PI (Physik Instrumente) reaches all specifications after the endurance test. Requirements here were challenging: A million cycles at a maximum load of 20 kg and maximum velocity of 20 mm/s. The H-820 proved to be unimpressed and reliably attained a linear repeatibility of 20 µm and a rotational repeatibility of 200 µrad, over the entire travel range of 100 mm in X and Y direction, 50 mm in the Z axis and rotational angles to 60°.
The H-820 system comprises a powerful digital motion controller. All target positions are conveniently given in Cartesian coordinates. For integration in automated processes, PI offers also a digital controller with EtherCAT fieldbus interface. Real-time Ethernet assures a fast and reliable connection to the overall system with short cycle times for precise synchronization.