Motorized Actuators
Our motorized actuators provide a means to automate or enable remote actuation for our manual stages or mounts. Several types are available, such as the low-cost DC motor actuators, high-precision stepper motor actuators, and also our new, high-sensitivity piezomotor actuators. For special vacuum environments, we have both ultra-sonic actuators and piezomotor actuators. These motorized actuators are available in different travel ranges to enable a variety of different applications. Motorized actuators are frequently used in applications such as microscopy, metrology, optical fiber alignment, interferometry, or wherever automated submicron positioning is required. Industries that utilize motorized actuators include research, bio-medical, life sciences, astronomy, metrology, semiconductor, and more. Controllers are available in single or multiaxis versions. If one of our many catalog motorized actuators does not meet your requirements, just send us a request for a custom version.
Selection Guide for Motorized Actuators
Group |
Description |
Travel Range |
Minimum Travel Increment |
Maximum Speed |
Load Capacity |
Tip Options |
Manual Adjust Knob |
Mounting Interface |
Relative Cost |
The SGCD low-cost DC motor actuators are open-loop and intended for simple automated or remote movement of linear stages or other precision positioners. Even with their amazingly small diameter (about the size of a felt-tipped highlighter) they have thrust load capacities up to 7kgf. |
17.5mm 31.5mm |
~100nm |
1mm/sec 0.2mm/sec |
3kgf 7kgf |
Flat tip only (Non-Rotating) |
No |
ɸ9.5mm |
$ |
|
Our SGSP stepper motor actuators are also open-loop but are fitted with precise origin/ limit sensors which provide repeatability to 3µm. They are deceptively compact, having a cross-section of 20X20 mm. |
13mm 25mm |
~1,000nm Full Step ~500nm Half Step ~100nm Microstep |
2mm/sec |
3kgf |
Flat or Round tip (Non-Rotating) |
Yes |
ɸ9.5mm |
$$$ |
|
The RMH actuator provides excellent 2µm repeatability owing to its built-in rotary encoder. A dedicated 2-axis controller is available to provide either computer or joystick control of the actuators. |
13mm |
<1,000nm |
1mm/sec |
3kgf |
Flat tip only (Non-Rotating) |
No |
ɸ9.5mm |
$$$$ |
|
Our PDM piezomotor actuators are compact and provide extremely high-resolution incremental movement, as low as 20nm. PDM actuators are also available in a vacuum-compatible version. |
6.5mm 13mm |
20nm 30nm |
0.025mm/sec
|
1.3kgf 2.9kgf |
Flat or Round tip (Rotating) |
Yes |
ɸ6.0mm ɸ9.5mm |
$$$$$ |