How ATEK Drive Solutions sets new standards in the optical industry with innovative drive solutions.
What decisive advantages do specialized micro gear motors offer for micro-positioning in optics?
Specialized micro gear motors enable highest positioning accuracy in the sub-micrometer range, compact designs for integrated systems and reliable operation even under demanding environmental conditions, which is essential for precise optical adjustments.
How does ATEK ensure precision and minimal play in its micro gear motors?
ATEK relies on high-precision manufacturing, the use of play-free or low-play gear technologies such as preloaded spur gears or planetary gears and integrated high-resolution encoders. This ensures a repeatability of often under one arc minute.
Can ATEK provide custom micro gear motors for optical applications with special requirements (e.g., vacuum, extreme temperatures)?
Yes, ATEK specializes in custom drive solutions. Thanks to our modular system platform and our development expertise, we can realize motors for specific requirements such as vacuum suitability, extended temperature ranges (e.g., -30°C to +125°C) or special material requirements.
Which position feedback systems are integrated into ATEK micro gear motors for optical systems?
ATEK typically integrates high-precision magnetic or optical encoders directly into the motor-gear unit. These provide resolutions that enable positioning in the nanometer range , for example with up to 512 impulses per revolution and corresponding interpolation.
How do ATEK micro gear motors differ from piezo motors for micro-positioning in optics?
ATEK micro gear motors often offer a greater travel range and can deliver higher continuous forces in a compact design. While piezo motors may have advantages in extremely small strokes and high dynamics, gear motors excel in robustness and a very good price-performance ratio for many optical applications.
What is the typical lifespan of ATEK micro gear motors in demanding optical applications?
ATEK drives are designed for a long service life , often over 10,000 operating hours, even under demanding conditions. This is achieved through careful selection of materials, high-quality components, and precise manufacturing.
What support does ATEK provide in integrating micro gear motors into complex optical systems?
ATEK offers comprehensive technical consulting from design to implementation. This includes support in selecting the right drive, custom adaptations and assistance in integrating control technology to ensure optimal system performance.
How do customers benefit from ATEK’s modular system platform when searching for micro gear motors for optical applications?
ATEK’s modular system platform allows for millions of configuration options. Customers benefit from high variety of variants, fast delivery times even for customized solutions and a very good price-performance ratio, as proven components are used.
Micro gear motors are crucial for the highest precision in optics and enable positioning accuracies in the nanometer range (e.g., <0.1 µm repeatability) as well as compact designs for demanding applications.
ATEK Drive Solutions offers as a system provider highly customizable micro drive solutions through a modular system platform that enables millions of configurations and realizes custom special solutions even in small series.
The robustness and reliability of ATEK micro gear motors, designed for over 10,000 operating hours and used in extreme environments (e.g., -30°C to +125°C), ensure the long-term performance of optical systems.Discover how ATEK’s micro gear motors revolutionize micro-positioning in optical systems and what advantages our modular approach offers for your application.
Micro-positioning in optics requires the highest precision. ATEK Drive Solutions offers you innovative micro gear motors that have been specially developed for these demanding applications. Learn more about our customized solutions and contact us at ATEK Drive Solutions for individual consulting.
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Introduction to micro gear motors for micro-positioning in optics
Optical systems require the highest accuracy. This article explains how micro gear motors for micro-positioning in optics address this challenge and presents drive solutions from ATEK Drive for demanding applications.
Such small gear motors are required for precise alignments, such as aligning a laser beam to hair’s breadth. Their ability to perform fine adjustments is fundamental for optical devices like microscopes or satellites. These drives for micro-positioning enable positioning in the nanometer range, for instance in semiconductor manufacturing.
The role of precision in optical systems
Precision is critical as slight deviations can distort the results in optical measurement. The repeatability of ATEK drives ensures consistent measurement results, required for interferometers with tolerances below 0.1 µm.
Challenges in miniaturization
Miniaturization presents high demands on design and manufacturing. ATEK develops compact solutions with high torques, e.g., for endoscopes with a few millimeters in outer diameter. ATEK miniature gears are optimized for this.
Importance for various industries
Many industries benefit: medical technology for precise robotic cuts, industrial image processing for detecting errors in the micrometer range. Versatility opens up broad applications. Laser system manufacturers use ATEK drives for beam guidance with ±0.005 degree accuracy.Applications of micro gear motors in optics
ATEK micro gear motors have been used for smooth telescope tracking in astronomy. In these Applications of micro gear motors in optics play-free gears and high-resolution encoders are essential . Systems like PI hexapods achieve nanometer resolutions.. Systeme wie PI Hexapods erreichen Nanometer-Auflösungen.
- Precise telescope tracking in astronomy.
- Highly stable positioning with hexapod systems.
- Automated and rapid filter selection in microscopes.
- Finest movements with micro manipulators in tight spaces.
- Use of play-free gears for precise movements.
- Importance of high-resolution encoders for accurate position feedback.
Hexapod systems for high-precision positioning
Hexapods utilize parallel kinematics for stability and accuracy. Compact drives transmit high forces in small spaces.. ATEK servo drives deliver, e.g., up to 19W mechanical power. Info: precise gear motors.
Filter wheels for automated filter selection
In automated microscopes, fast filter exchange is important. DC servo motors with encoders allow for fast, precise filter positioning, often under 100 ms per change. Example: FRM 40 series.
Micro manipulators for precise movements
In tight spaces, micro manipulators (e.g., Narishige) require narrow drives. ATEK drive solutions offer stroke lengths from millimeters to over 100 mm with the highest precision, relevant for aligning optical components. Info: Micro gears for robotics.Technical aspects of micro gear motors
For positioning optical elements in vacuum at -30°C, ironless ATEK DC motors proved to be robust components. Such precision drives for optics must often withstand extreme conditions; FAULHABER DC motors are specified for -30°C to +125°C.
FAULHABER DC motors as a solution
Ironless rotors provide low moment of inertia and no cogging torque. This allows for smooth operation and fast response, with up to 80% efficiency, relevant for smooth positioning.
Gear construction and position detection
Preloaded spur gears minimize backlash to under one arc minute. Integrated magnetic encoders (up to 512 impulses/revolution) provide accurate position data. ATEK gear-motor units are often <25mm in diameter. Details: play-free planetary gears.
Control and regulation
Control is application-dependent via PC cards or servo amplifiers. Modern controllers allow for precise speed and position control. PWM signals are often used for power control.
- Direct control for easy integration
- Servo amplifiers for complex control tasks
- PWM inputs for flexible control
Competitive landscape and market trends
A medical technology manufacturer needed an integrable drive solution. Custom adaptation is an important factor, especially for micro gear motors for micro-positioning in optics. The trend is towards system solutions (motor, gear, encoder, controller). OWIS offers various positioning systems.
- Growing importance of custom drive solutions.
- Trend towards integrated system solutions (motor, gear boxes, encoder, controller).
- Increased integration of sensors for performance enhancement and predictive maintenance.
- High demand for customized motors for specific application requirements.
- Ongoing miniaturization for more compact and powerful miniature drive solutions for micro-positioning.
- Development of new materials and manufacturing technologies to support miniaturization.
Increasing integration of sensors
Sensor integration in drives increases precision and enables predictive maintenance. High-resolution encoders and temperature sensors are examples, which can improve system accuracy by up to 15%.
Demand for custom solutions
Standard motors often do not meet specific requirements (space, power, environment). ATEK’s modular system allows for numerous configurations. For special requirements, high-precision gear boxes are developed.
Miniaturization as a continuous trend
The demand for more compact, powerful drives is growing. New materials and manufacturing technologies enable smaller designs without compromising lifespan. Example: Drives for portable analysis devices (<10mm diameter).Selection criteria for micro gear motors in optics
When selecting micro gear motors for optical systems, such as for laser technology (accuracy 0.002 degrees), careful consideration of criteria is necessary. The ATEK product configurator supports this.
Accuracy and repeatability
Accuracy includes absolute positioning accuracy and repeatability. Systems with feedback loops and high-quality encoders achieve high precision. Often, <1 micrometer repeatability is required.
Size and weight
In mobile systems (e.g., drone cameras), weight/volume are critical. ATEK’s compact designs minimize total weight/space requirements. A miniature gear motor, often a key element in micro-positioning, can weigh 20g.
Power and torque
Motors must provide adequate torque for precise movement. Design considerations account for load moments and dynamics. ATEK motors offer mNm up to several Nm.
- Positioning accuracy under 1 µm
- Compact form, e.g., Ø < 20mm
- Sufficient torque, e.g., >100 mNm
- Robustness for industrial environments
- Easy integration into control systems
Robustness and lifespan
Temperature fluctuations, vibrations, and vacuum present high demands. Material and lubricant selection is important for long lifespan. ATEK drives are designed for >10,000 operating hours.
micro gear motors for micro-positioning in optics are central components of precise optical systems. Their careful selection and integration are crucial for the high performance required in optical applications. ATEK Drive Solutions provides expertise and products for demanding micro-positioning tasks to optimize optical applications.Conclusion: The significance of specialized micro drives for optical precision
In summary, micro gear motors for micro-positioning in optics represent an indispensable technology. The ability to realize extremely precise movements in the sub-micrometer range is critical for progress in numerous high-tech industries, from medical technology to semiconductor manufacturing and astronomy. The choice of the right small gear motor for optics directly impacts the performance and reliability of the overall system.
Development is continuously moving towards even smaller, more powerful, and smarter drive systems. ATEK Drive Solutions is committed to being at the forefront of this development and offering innovative drive solutions for micro-positioning , that meet the growing demands of optical precision applications. Ongoing research into materials, gear technologies, and integrated sensors will continue to expand the boundaries of what is possible.
