Physik Instrumente recently released a new member of the PIMag family of precision positioning stages with magnetic direct drives. The V-551 motorized linear translation stage debuted at Laser World of Photonics, held in Munich, Germany last month.

The V-551 comes equipped with an integrated absolute-measuring, 2 nm resolution encoder. A newly developed ironless magnetic linear motor provides up to 500 mm/sec velocity. Precision crossed roller bearings with anti-creep cage assist guarantee a guiding accuracy of 1 µm straightness/flatness per 100 mm.

Together with PI’s compact C-891 controller, the V-551 stage is designed to form a flexible positioning system. A lower cost stage variant that swaps the absolute encoder with a high-resolution incremental encoder is also available, as well as custom designs for OEMs with higher resolution, peak force, and different travel ranges.

Applications for the V-551 include industry and research, such as optics inspection, metrology, photonics, medical engineering and precision scanning in semiconductor or flat panel display manufacturing.