AUBURN, Mass., Sept. 27, 2006 -- Physik Instrumente (PI), a manufacturer of nanopositioning and precision motion-control equipment for photonics, nanotechnology, semiconductor and life science applications, has introduced the improved F-206.S six-axis nano-alignment system, offering high resolution 6-D motion, a user-programmable pivot point and powerful alignment software.

Typical applications include nanomanipulation (life sciences), nanotechnology, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) alignment, micromachining, photonics alignment and packaging, collimator/array alignment, optical device testing, semiconductor handling systems and microsurgery.

The "parallel-kinematics" design with backlash-free flexure joints, a virtual pivot point and vector-based 6D motion-controller is what sets the F-206.S system apart from conventional "stacked” positioning tables, PI said. Due to the reduced moving mass (only one light-weighted common platform for all six actuators), the system can respond and settle much faster than conventional multi-axis motion systems. It is also considerably more compact and accurate than multi-axis stage stacks (serial kinematics). Its parallel-kinematics design and specialized digital 6-D hexapod controller minimizes unwanted crosstalk motion. The F-206.S hexapod comes with powerful alignment software, LabView drivers and DLLs.

The superior flexibility of the microhexapod is based on the virtual-pivot-point capability provided by its six-degree-of-freedom controller. Since hexapod motion is not determined by fixed bearings but by sophisticated, real-time, six-space control algorithms, this point can be chosen freely with a single software command -- a prerequisite for fast and accurate alignment tasks.

With an optional photometer card and powerful alignment software, the F-206.S aligns arrays, waveguides and collimators up to ten times faster than conventional systems.

For more information, visit: http://www.pi-usa.us/; e-mail: info@pi-usa.us

PI (Physik Instrumente) LP
16 Albert St.
Auburn, MA 01501

East Coast contact:
Jim Gareau
Phone: (508) 832-3456
Fax: (508) 832-0506

West Coast Contact:
David Steinberg
Phone: (949) 679-9191
Fax: (949) 679-9292

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