Direct Drive Linear Motor Stages
Below is a selection of direct drive stage and linear motor stage products from our portfolio, and each can be modified and configured to meet your specific needs. Contact us if you don’t see exactly what you are looking for. We can help you identify the right motion solution for your application.
The SmartStage direct drive linear motor stage offers high performance and includes an innovative built-in controller right inside the stage.
| wdt_ID | Travel | 50 - 200 mm |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Accuracy | ≤ 10 μm |
| 2 | Repeatability | 0.8 μm |
| 3 | Payload | 10 kg |
The SmartStage XY Monolithic positioning stage, is a linear motor stage in a low-profile XY form factor, with physically integrated controller, designed for precision positioning.
| wdt_ID | Travel | 50 - 75 mm |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Accuracy | 12 μm |
| 2 | Repeatability | .08 μm |
| 3 | Payload (kg) | 10 kg |
The SmartStage single axis direct drive linear motor stage offers is our single axis linear stage with a built-in controller. It is available in a range of travel sizes and options to meet your precision motion needs.
| wdt_ID | Travel | 50 - 200 mm |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Accuracy | ≤ 10 μm |
| 2 | Repeatability | 0.8 μm |
| 3 | Payload | 10 kg |
The SmartStage™ Open Frame XY is the first open aperture linear motor stage with an embedded controller physically integrated inside the stage. It is designed for regular or inverted microscopy applications and optimized for well plates and multiple slide holders.
| wdt_ID | Travel | 115 x 75 mm |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Accuracy | ≤ 10 μm |
| 2 | Repeatability | 0.8 μm |
| 3 | Payload | 10 kg |
The DOF series Dover Objective Focuser stage has been optimized for optical microscopy applications.
| wdt_ID | Travel | 5 mm |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Resolution | 1.25 nm |
| 2 | Repeatability | < 50 nm |
| 3 | Bandwidth | > 225 Hz |
The SmartStage Z-50 provides a unique combination of travel distance, and precision, for vertical Z stage applications.
| wdt_ID | Travel | 50 mm |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Resolution | 5 nm |
| 2 | Accuracy | 10 μm |
| 3 | Repeatability | .8 μm |
The MMX™ series miniature direct drive stage has a low profile design with high power linear servo motor options.
| wdt_ID | Travel | 25 - 150 mm |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Accuracy | < ± 3 μm |
| 2 | Repeatability | < ± 0.4 μm |
| 3 | Payload | 10 kg |
The MMS™ – Miniature Long Travel Direct Drive Linear Motor Stage ideal for imaging applications where a long travel load/unload axis is required.
| wdt_ID | Travel | 200 - 400 mm |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Accuracy | < 15 μm |
| 2 | Repeatability | 2 μm |
| 3 | Payload | 12 kg |
The MAG™ series servo linear actuator utilizes a moving magnet design and linear servo motor.
| wdt_ID | Travel | 50 - 250 mm |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Accuracy | 3 μm TIR |
| 2 | Repeatability | < ± 0.5 μm |
| 3 | Payload | 75 kg |
The Airglide™ air bearing direct drive stage design uses precision stiff air bearings for large payloads.
| wdt_ID | Travel | 150 - 400 mm |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Accuracy | 4 μm TIR |
| 2 | Repeatability | < ± 0.4 μm |
| 3 | Payload | 40 kg |
FiberBeam™ linear air bearing positioners are designed for high accuracy in a low profile.
| wdt_ID | Travel | 20 - 100 mm |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Accuracy | 2 μm TIR |
| 2 | Repeatability | < ± 0.1 μm |
| 3 | Payload | 15 kg |
Let us configure the right motion solution for your unique application.
The Benefits of Using Direct Drive Linear Motor Stages
Direct drive stages using linear servo motors have a number of advantages over more traditional belt-drive, lead screw, or rack and pinion actuators. These include:
- Fewer parts
- No wear
- No particulation
- Consistent servo tuning from unit to unit and over time
- Lower audible noise
- Higher speed
- Higher acceleration
- Greater accuracy
- Greater repeatability
How Direct Drive Linear Servo Stages Work
In a direct drive linear servo motor stage, a linear encoder is used to close the position feedback loop. Meaningful resolutions and position stability of less than one nanometer can be achieved with the use of modern fine pitch optical linear encoders and deep arc-tan encoder interpolation. The non-contact nature of linear motors that drive linear motor stages is especially valuable when teamed with equally non-contact linear encoders and air bearing guideways. For short strokes, single phase linear motors simplify the electronic drive and control. Linear servo motors typically employ 3 phases and the motion controller drives sinusoidal currents into the 3 phases to provide constant force for extended travel. Linear servo motors can be flexibly scaled to fit into very constrained spaces, and can also scale up for linear motors that handle very large payloads.
The key quality factor to maximize is called Km, the unit of Newtons per root watt. The force capability of the motor is limited by its thermal power dissipation, which scales as (Force/Km). To achieve higher force capability, one wants to increase Km. This can be achieved by increasing the magnetic flux density and/or the active copper volume. Winding the motor coils with flat wire increases their copper packing fraction, which allows the active copper volume to be increased without changing the overall motor coil dimensions.
Please contact us if you’d like additional information about direct drive linear motor stages. We’re happy to answer any questions and help you find the right solution for your precision motion needs.
Direct Drive Stage Types
There are several types of direct drive stages that offer high precision and performance:
- Linear direct drive stages: Provide smooth, accurate motion along a straight path using linear motors.
- Rotary direct drive stages: Deliver precise angular motion with rotary motors for applications requiring rotational accuracy.
- XY direct drive stages: Enable motion in two directions, ideal for complex movement patterns.
- Air-bearing direct drive stages: Eliminate friction with air bearings for ultra-smooth, high-precision motion.
Direct Drive Stage Applications
Direct drive stages are used in applications that require high precision, speed, and smooth motion. They include:
- Life sciences: In microscopy, DNA sequencing, and automated lab equipment.
- Medical devices: In robotic surgery, diagnostic imaging, and prosthetic development.
- Semiconductor manufacturing: For wafer inspection, lithography, and chip fabrication.
- Aerospace and defense: For satellite assembly, optics positioning, and laser systems.
- Industrial automation: For precise assembly lines, laser cutting, and material handling.
These stages are ideal for environments demanding repeatable, high-performance motion control.