Motorized Stages
Dover Motion offers various motorized stages for precision automation applications. Our stages come with many options and sizes for uses, including precision motion, high velocity, or compact footprint. We specialize in working with our clients to understand your unique automation challenges and customize the motion control system when necessary. In addition, all of our motorized stage products can be customized to suit your specific project needs.
Motorized Stages
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About Motorized Stages
Need to know a little bit more before you can make your decision? Below is additional information about how motorized stages work. Contact us to speak with our staff who can answer any of your technical questions.
What are motorized stages?
Motorized stages provide precise automated positioning and are available in single or multi-axis architectures. They are also commonly referred to motorized tables or motorized actuators. Each axis of a motorized stage must constrain the six degrees of freedom (X, Y, Z, roll, pitch, and yaw) of the payload to only one, producing automation along a single axis of motion. This is accomplished with a set of linear bearings, which are mounted to a metal base to provide a stiff structure. Our stages designed specifically for vertical motion can be viewed on our Z Stages page.
How do they work?
Once the payload has been constrained to a single degree of freedom, the system’s next mission is to actuate the payload and provide precise incremental linear motion along the guideway.
Linear actuator methods include:
- Friction screws with anti-backlash nuts
- Ball screws
- Belt and pulley
- Rack and pinion
- Piezo actuators
- Linear motors
Using a linear motor is generally considered to be optimal for high speed motion systems and is the most precise and repeatable linear motion actuation technology.
A motorized linear translation stage with a linear motor requires a linear feedback device as well as a servo drive and control to close a position feedback loop. With a high-resolution linear encoder, linear actuators can provide position control down to the nanometer level. A typical application for high precision linear actuators is to control the focus of a microscope objective in a digital imaging system.