Motorized Actuators

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

Open-Loop DC Motor Actuators

 

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

 

$

 Stepper Motor Actuators

 

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

 

$$$

Encoded DC Motor Actuator

 

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

 

$$$$

 Piezomotor Actuators

 

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

 

$$$$$