Press

Press

Welcome to PI's Press Information Pages

Here, you can find an overview of the management board at PI, current press information, press photos for downloading, and lots of other information.

Press Information

- Awards - Physik Instrumente (PI) SE & Co. KG

PI Innovation Award 2025 Honors Groundbreaking Cancer Therapy Research

At the Faculty of Science of the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, the “PI Innovation Award”, endowed with €2,500, was presented for the second time by the high-tech company Physik Instrumente (PI), headquartered in Karlsruhe. The award was granted to Dr. Benedikt Michael Wagner for his outstanding doctoral thesis on the pharmacological treatment of certain types of bronchial (SCLC) and liver (HCC) cancer. As part of his research, Dr. Wagner analyzed 300 test compounds, one of which demonstrated significant efficacy in animal models.
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- Events - Physik Instrumente (PI) SE & Co. KG

Precision Redefined: PI Impresses with Cost-Efficient, Future-Ready Technologies at LASER World of PHOTONICS 2025

At LASER World of PHOTONICS 2025, Physik Instrumente (PI), global leader in precision technology and piezo applications, presented an impressive portfolio of high-tech solutions and innovations. The showcased portfolio included not only new products such as an Industrial Hexapod for precise positioning in 24/7 operation, and a miniature linear stage for nanometer precision motion with self-locking mechanics, but also a PILine® stage for microscopy applications with exceptional stability and minimal drift. Pioneering solutions, such as the MagLev platform with picometer resolution, impressed customers, as did the compact lever hexapod, which enables extremely fast motion and high dynamics. PI once again demonstrated its ability to push the boundaries of what is technically feasible by offering versatile solutions for precision positioning that help customers significantly reduce their production costs.
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- Products - Physik Instrumente (PI) SE & Co. KG

L-511 Linear Stage Series: Highest Precision for Precise and Stable Positioning

With the L-511 high-precision linear stage series, Physik Instrumente (PI) offers a solution for demanding positioning tasks. With repeatability down to 0.15 µm, high stability, and a wide range of configuration options, the L-511 with travel ranges from 52 to 155 mm is ideal for industrial and scientific applications that require maximum motion precision.
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- Products - Physik Instrumente (PI) SE & Co. KG

Physik Instrumente (PI) Launches Hexapod H-815 for 24/7 Industrial Processes

In precision-critical manufacturing processes, the reliable and repeatable positioning of components is crucial for production success. Increasing demands on clock rates and continuous loads with high cycle rates, as well as mechanical wear and a lack of reproducibility have a detrimental effect not only on process stability, but also on productivity and quality. To meet these requirements, Physik Instrumente (PI) has added the new Industrial Hexapod H-815 to its range. This parallel-kinematic precision system with six degrees of freedom was specially developed for use in automated 24/7 industrial processes.
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- Products - Physik Instrumente (PI) SE & Co. KG

Miniature Linear Stage with Biphase Inertia Drive for Precision and Long-Term Stability in the Smallest Spaces

Physik Instrumente (PI) is expanding its product portfolio with the new B‑421 BIX miniature linear stage, a high-precision positioning solution that offers exceptional accuracy in the smallest of spaces. This compact linear stage combines a space-saving design with high performance, opening new possibilities for applications in the semiconductor industry, as well as in microscopy, photonics, and optical beam steering.
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- Events - Physik Instrumente (PI) SE & Co. KG

Physik Instrumente (PI) Presents Innovations for Industrial Precision Positioning at the LASER World of PHOTONICS in Munich

At this year’s LASER World of PHOTONICS, Physik Instrumente (PI) will be presenting new products specially designed for demanding industrial applications (hall A3, stand 413): the H-815 hexapod and the B‑421 BIX miniature linear stages, which are based on inertia drives. At its stand in the Future Zone area, PI will be showcasing the following pioneering highlights: a system with a contactless magnetic guide and resolution in the picometer range and a lever hexapod for fast, high-dynamic motion.
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- Events - PI Ceramic GmbH

75 Years of Piezo Technology - How Innovations from Germany Are Conquering World Markets

Piezoceramics have an extremely broad range of applications, including in medical and industrial sensor technology, as well as power, sound, pressure, and dispensing applications. Seventy-five years ago, the first scientific report on the properties, technology, and known applications of piezo ceramics was compiled at the ceramic manufacturing plant of HESCHO-Kahla in Hermsdorf, Germany. At the same time, the first range of materials was developed under the name “Piezolan.” To celebrate this anniversary, PI Ceramic organized a symposium on the history, present, and future of this versatile, innovative material in collaboration with the Verein für Regional- und Technikgeschichte e.V. Hermsdorf, Germany, which is dedicated to preserving the history of the region and its technological achievements.
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- Products - Physik Instrumente (PI) SE & Co. KG

PIHera XY Piezo Stages: Compact Positioning Systems for Ultra-Precise Motion and Stable Long-Term Performance

The semiconductor, photonics, and microscopy industries require reliable and powerful solutions for precise positioning tasks with exact alignment in the nanometer range. PIHera XY piezo stages of Physik Instrumente (PI) combine subnanometer resolution with high stability and flexible travel ranges in the smallest spaces. Selected versions are available with short lead times, including the corresponding controllers.
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- Products - PI Ceramic GmbH

PI Ceramic: Pioneering Work In the Development of Lead-Free Piezoceramics Bears First Fruits

PI Ceramic has achieved a first breakthrough in the manufacturing of lead-free piezoceramic components and now invites customers to joint development projects. In particular, the bismuth sodium titanate (BNT) and potassium sodium niobate (KNN) material systems now provide similar performance to the classic lead (plumbum) zirconate titanate (PZT) system in some applications.
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- Products - Physik Instrumente (PI) SE & Co. KG

Precision, Force, and Dynamics: Powerful Linear Actuators for Alignment and Adjustment

For high-precision alignment in guided systems, the manipulation of optical systems in automation processes, or as a motorized alternative to micrometer screws, the linear actuators M-230, M-235, and L-220 from Physik Instrumente (PI) combine precision, power, and versatility. They are suitable not only for dynamic movements but also for positioning with submicrometer precision, and, thanks to short lead times, they are quickly available for a wide range of applications.
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- Products - Physik Instrumente (PI) SE & Co. KG

Short Lead Time: The V-308 Voice Coil PIFOC — A Highly Dynamic Autofocus Solution for High-Tech Applications

Many highly specialized applications such as multiphoton fluorescence microscopy, genome sequencing, and wafer inspection require high-precision and dynamic vertical positioning systems with a long travel range. With the V-308 Voice Coil PIFOC, PI (Physik Instrumente) offers a quickly available solution that provides high velocity and precision as well as simple integration.
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Physik Instrumente (PI) at a Glance

The PI Group

Physik Instrumente (PI) is an internationally active group of companies focusing on precision positioning and piezo technology. For more than five decades, PI's products and technologies have been enabling customers to successfully complete motioning and positioning tasks, and implement actuator technologies and ultrasound applications with increasing precision and dynamics, hence pushing the boundaries of what is possible. In the process, accuracy of less than a millionth of a millimeter is achieved.

As a globally leading manufacturer of piezoceramic ultrasound and actuator technology components, and systems and subsystems for high-precision mechanical movements, the company focuses on four global markets:

  • Industrial Automation: Positioning, Dosing, and Measuring Solutions for a Precise, Fast, and Economic Production and Process Monitoring
  • Microscopy and Life Sciences: Innovative Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures with Precision Positioning, High-Speed Actuation, and Ultrasonic Solutions
  • Semiconductor Manufacturing: Positioning Solutions for Improving Throughput and Enabling the Next Technology Node in Semiconductor Manufacturing
  • Photonics: Fast and Precise Active Alignment for Testing, Assembly, and Packaging in Numerous Photonics Applications

 

The company invests almost 10 % of their turnover in research and development, and is continuing to expand their technology and market leadership. In this way, today, PI is already working on the solutions of tomorrow in order to support customers in industry and research to master technological leaps and be successful in their markets.

PI is present in all of the important technology regions, with nine production sites; four of which are in Germany and others in USA, Israel, Japan and China. There are also It's Possible Labs in Germany, China, Singapore and the USA, as well as 16 international sales subsidiaries. The parent company is Physik Instrumente (PI) SE & Co. KG, located in Karlsruhe, Germany.

The family business is managed in the second generation by Markus Spanner as Chief Executive Officer.

An Overview of the PI Group

CEO: Markus Spanner

Headquarters: Karlsruhe, Germany

Founding year: 1970

Employees: 1,790

Turnover in 2022: 282.2 million EUR

R&D Share: 9.8 % of the turnover (average in German mechanical engineering: 4.1 %)

Number of patents: About 500

PI worldwide:

  • Nine production sites (four in Germany and others in the USA, Israel, Japan and China)
  • Four It's Possible Labs: Karlsruhe (Germany), Shenzhen (China), Singapore, Fremont (USA)
  • 16 sales subsidiaries
PI Group Turnover and Number of Employees

The Management Board

Markus Spanner CEO Physik Instrumente
Markus Spanner, Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Physik Instrumente CFO Beate van Loo-Born
Beate van Loo-Born, Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Florian Geistdörfer COO Physik Instrumente
Florian Geistdörfer, Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Your Press Contact

Markus Wiederspahn
Content Marketing Manager
Tel.: +49 721 4846 1819
Email: presse@pi.de