Careful attention to structural details has enabled Aerotech to keep down
the cost of its new ATS 7000 linear positioning stage. The stage's
support structure is made from an extruded aluminium base and is machined
to accept recirculating linear bearings. This offers full support to the
carriage throughout its travel, making positioning less sensitive to load
location within the travel envelope. A durable, lightweight timing belt,
supported at both ends by ball bearing mounted pulley shafts, is
tensioned to accept loads of up to 22.4kg and provide high speed (3m/s
maximum) operation with accurate positioning. Travels from 150 to 1,200mm
can be accommodated by the ATS 7000, which can also be configured for
multi-axis systems.