|
- Test equipment
- Micromachining
- Scanning applications
- Life sciences
- Metrology
- Quality control
- Switches, shutters, sorters
- R&D
- Photonics packaging automation
- Fiber optic instrumentation
|
|
C-170 RedStone controllers are compact and cost-effective units for the operation of open-loop PILine® piezo linear motors and stages. They incorporate programmable microsecond timers and ultrasonic drivers to operate one or two motors and/or micropositioning stages under computer control or in an autonomous stand-alone mode.
Integrated Drive Electronics, Optimized for PILine® Stages and Motors To assure the best possible system performance, the integrated drive electronics is fine-tuned to the connected stage at the factory. Micropositioning systems such as the M-661/M-662 miniature-stages can then achieve speeds of 500 mm/s and more with minimum incremental motion of 50 nm. The integrated piezomotor driver electronics is also available as a separate product for use with external pulse generators (ordering number C-181).
Driving PILine® Motors in Open-Loop The distance and velocity traveled corresponds to the width, frequency and number of motor-on pulses. By varying the pulse width, the step length and thus the motor velocity can be controlled. As the mechanical environment also influences the motion, the size of single steps is not highly repeatable. For precise position control, a system with a position feedback device is recommended (closed-loop operation).
In addition to the single step and step sequence operating modes, RedStone controllers provide a high-speed CW mode with acceleration to 20 g and velocities to 500 mm/s and more. The CW mode is practical for applications where fast end-to-end motion is required, such as shutter or switching applications.
Complete Software Package and Macro Command Language RedStone controllers come with a complete software package, consisting of DLL and LabView™ drivers and turnkey operating software for all Windows™ systems.
The RedStone high-level command language was derived from the successful C-862 Mercury DC-Motor controller. Motion sequences can be stored in non-volatile memory for execution on demand by software commands or external TTL-trigger signals. An autostart macro can be defined to call macro commands at power-up without the need for computer communications.
Advantages of PILine® Micropositioning Systems The piezoceramic drives used in PILine® devices have a number of advantages over classical drives:
- Higher accelerations, up to 20 g
- Velocities up to 500 mm/s and more
- Small form factor
- Self-locking when at rest
- No shafts, gears or other rotating parts
|
|
Notes To reduce the number of components in the system, the piezomotor drive electronics has been integrated in the C-170 controller. The model C-170.161 is optimized for positioners with piezomotors P-661.
The products described in this document are in part protected by the following patents: US-Patent No. 6,765,335
|