Precision Motion Systems
PI miCos develops precision positioning equipment for optics, photonics, lasers, beamline instrumentation, astronomy, industrial automation and research. The portfolio includes motorized linear and rotary stages, piezo nanopositioners, hexapods and other parallel-kinematic systems, plus solutions for high-vacuum and UHV environments.
Choose the motion architecture that fits the application. The PI miCos portfolio represented on this page includes motorized linear translation stages, precision rotary stages, miniature piezo nanopositioners, 6-axis parallel-kinematic systems and manual positioning stages.
Motorized translation stages for precision positioning over a wide range of travel, load and speed requirements.
Precision rotary and goniometric stages for angular positioning, alignment and automation.
High-resolution linear and rotary nanopositioning for applications that require extremely fine motion and fast response.
Hexapod and SpaceFAB systems provide coordinated linear and rotational positioning from a parallel-kinematic architecture.
Manual linear and rotary positioning stages for setup, alignment and laboratory applications where direct mechanical adjustment is preferred.
Applications differ in travel, load, velocity, resolution, repeatability, environment and axis count. PI miCos positioning technologies offer different mechanical and drive approaches so the system can be matched to the task.
Solutions span nanometer-scale positioning through long-travel motorized motion.
Configure individual axes or integrated multi-axis positioning assemblies.
Combine translation, rotation and goniometric positioning where required.
Stage architectures range from lightweight precision devices to systems for loads of several hundred kilograms.
Piezo and precision motorized technologies support sub-micrometer and nanometer-class motion.
Motorized systems can combine mechanics, electronics and control software as a complete solution.
Precision positioning stages are used wherever controlled motion, alignment and repeatable positioning are critical to process performance or measurement quality.
A quick comparison of the five positioning categories represented on this page.
| Technology | Primary Motion | Best Fit | Original Page Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linear Translation Stages | Translation | Long-travel precision positioning and automation | Linear motor or screw drive, up to >1000 mm/s, resolution <1 nm |
| Rotary Stages | Rotation / goniometric | Angular positioning and alignment | Loads to several hundred kg, speeds >1000 deg/s, resolution <0.001 mdeg |
| Piezo Nanopositioning | Fine linear / rotary | Nanometer-scale alignment and scanning | Loads to several kg, resolution <1 nm |
| Hexapods / 6-Axis | XYZ + rotation | Coordinated multi-axis positioning | Hexapod / SpaceFAB, mechanics + electronics + software |
| Manual Stages | Linear / rotary | Manual setup and alignment | Loads to several kg, resolution <1 micrometer |
Visit PI USA for the latest linear, rotary, nanopositioning and multi-axis positioning systems, specifications and application support.