From May 14 to 16, manufacturers and users of optical and image processing technologies will gather in Frankfurt for the 16th edition of Optatec, an international trade show focusing on optical solutions, components and systems.
Aerotech has already booked its stand. The motion control experts will be presenting the Infinite Field of View (Ifov or "infinite field of view"), a pioneering solution for synchronizing servo linear or rotary axes with the laser scanner, as well as the Automation1 motion control platform. Finally, the HEX150, currently the most accurate hexapod on the market according to Aerotech, will also be on show.
For over 50 years, Aerotech has supplied standard components and solutions such as motors, drives, controls, positioning tables, galvoscanners and much more. Customized motion subsystems include positioning systems on granite structures with base frame and vibration isolation, as well as external measurement systems.
"Optatec, held every two years, is a true industry event and the ideal place to showcase our latest applications and manufacturing systems to a wide audience of specialists, says Simon Smith, Aerotech's European Director. Many top experts and decision-makers come together in Frankfurt, creating valuable synergies and numerous opportunities to make important contacts and meet potential customers."
Ifov in laser treatment
Ifov is an innovative solution. By combining highly dynamic galvanometric scanners with servo axis trajectories, it is possible to continuously process parts that are considerably larger than a scanner's traditional field of view, without having to link the various work areas together.
According to Aerotech, this increases production rates. Connection faults and quality problems with individual parts due to overlapping or irregular laser processing are also eliminated.
"With Ifov, we improve both processing quality and throughput for large parts, explains Simon Smith, Aerotech's European Director. Users can select the best optical configuration for their application in no time, without having to compromise on working area. Not only does IFOV automatically increase the working area for each galvo system beyond what is possible with optics alone, it also eliminates compromises between laser spot size and available working area by expanding the field of view independently of optics selection."
Precision and user-friendliness
Ifov works without the need to adjust parameters and settings for different motion paths. It uses a single controller to process the 2D profile requested by the user and convert it in real time into relative movements of the servo stage and scanner. It takes into account the scanner's available working range to ensure that the commanded trajectory remains within the field of view.
In addition, the acceleration and current limits of the servo and scanner axes are taken into account, so that the controlled movement does not cause error states on any of the axes. Combined motion ensures that the tool path specified by the user is precisely maintained.
Thanks to an open, standardized control architecture, actual feedback information is shared within the controller and made available to the user. As a result, the scanner movement includes the dynamic tracking error of the servo axes in its trajectory, and corrects it in real time. The user thus benefits from dynamic tracking performance at scanner level over the entire part, whatever the combined motion. At the same time, it enables the servo tables to be moved faster and more aggressively, without compromising the overall accuracy and quality of the finished part.
A single control platform
The latest version of Automation1 will be installed on all the positioning systems and solutions on the Aerotech stand. The motion control platform functions as a complete machine controller with all components, and therefore offers much more than just "motion control". Equipped with a new software-based motion controller, it can be used to simultaneously control servo and stepper motors, galvoscanners, piezo actuators and various other devices. The various connected drive modules are connected via the HyperWire bus, currently the most powerful communication bus in the motion control industry.
The functional improvements made in the new version will be presented. For example, machine configuration, data visualization and the Homing help module have been considerably enhanced, according to Aerotech. Thanks to Python API support, all controller Python help files are now also available.
"We'd be delighted to have the opportunity to convince trade show visitors of the effectiveness of Automation1, an innovative motion control platform in which we've closely linked process and motion control, explains Simon Smith. This means even faster travel and stabilization times, greater position stability and greater trajectory accuracy."
Six-degree-of-freedom solution
One of the stand applications to be controlled with Automation1 is
On the stand, the HEX150 hexapod will be tested with Automation1 to demonstrate its capacity for minimal incremental movement combined with greater linear travel, all on a compact, rigid platform.
The miniature hexapod is ideal for space-constrained applications involving multiple DOFs (degrees of freedom). Precise translation in X, Y and Z directions and rotation around each of these axes guarantee fine positioning resolution. Positioning experts see applications, for example, in the alignment, assembly and connection technology of photonic components, optical inspection and alignment, optical wafer testing, sensor testing for aerospace and satellites, as well as in sample alignment for synchrotron and beamline applications. HexGen's proprietary Hexapod simulation software is integrated into the Automation1 control platform, simplifying control and programming even for complex applications.
Aerotech will be welcoming visitors to the Optatec show in Hall 3.1, Stand 711.
Characteristics of the "infinite field of view" :
- Easy-to-use configuration parameters and effortless execution for every profile
- Simultaneous real-time trajectory generation from a controller
- Automated dynamic correction of tracking errors on scanner-servoed tables
- Support for advanced laser control functions such as position-synchronized output and analog vector tracking
- Optimizing sequence execution for combined motion trajectories with Aerotech's CADFusion software
- Designed for use with Aerotech AGV galena scanners; compatible with XY2-100 controlled scanners from other manufacturers
Photo: Simon Smith, Aerotech European Director.