Aerotech, manufacturer of high-performance motion and positioning systems, presents a new hexapod. With a footprint of 150 mm in diameter, the HEX150 RC is the youngest of two existing sizes, 500 mm and 300 mm in diameter respectively. In addition to its use in test, measurement and, above all, control and inspection, Aerotech intends to offer this new hexapod to the automotive, electronics, mechanical engineering and medical equipment markets.
"The undeniable advantage of hexapods, with their multi-axis and parallel kinematics, is their ability to guarantee positioning precision over all six degrees of freedom. With an average maximum travel of 135 mm around the center, this small motion generator with its six arms can move up to 10 kg of payload freely and almost completely. The six degrees of freedom make this multi-axis system flexible and suitable for a wide range of measurement and control applications.says the company.
High precision in the submicrometer world
With its high strength, the new hexapod, coupled with large trajectories and high positioning speeds of 50 mm/s, meets most requirements. Extremely rigid drives with brushless and toothless (0 cogging) servomotors ensure performance and long life, as well as maximum precision in the submicrometer range. The servomotors are direct-coupled. According to the manufacturer, the HEX150 RC system is currently the most accurate hexapod on the market. Fast stabilization times enable high throughput at repeatabilities of less than 2 μm; similarly, increments (smallest possible movements) of less than 20 nm on XYZ axes and 0.2 μrad on Θx Θy Θz open up the field to many application areas.
Open-air simulation
However, due to the complex kinematics involved, the development work for the control part of a hexapod is not insignificant. Aerotech solves this problem with the A3200 control platform, the result of many years' experience in demanding kinematic applications. The intuitive "HexGen Hexapod" simulation software makes it easy to program and control the hexapod in any user-defined coordinate system. The user can visualize and simulate the available workspace and, thanks to the hexapod, perform collision simulations. He can also select pre-configured models directly from a library of standard designs.
In order to simulate the complete work process, the AS3200 has access to a simulation interface on the open Coppelia Robotics V-REP platform. This platform can be used to simulate complete automation processes involving actuator robots, linear and rotary tables and tools in a 3D environment. Aerotech also supports image processing, clamping and vacuum support to simulate the complete automation process and minimize the risk of collision. This shortens the commissioning and integration phase.
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https://www.aerotech.co.uk/