Aerotech, a manufacturer of high-performance motion control and positioning systems, presents the new ALAR-XP series. These are two high-precision rotary tables with direct drive. Both the ALAR-250XP (aperture diameter 250 mm) and the ALAR-325XP (aperture diameter 325 mm) offer extremely high torque and load capacity with excellent speed and positioning accuracy. This results in clear efficiency advantages over worm drives or direct drives with iron-core slot motors.
This makes the ALAR tables ideal for both horizontal and vertical applications, e.g. in aerospace technology or medical engineering. This means, for all applications where demanding rotary motions, uniform scanning speeds and precise incremental steps are required. “Our newly developed, directly driven rotary tables from the ALAR series offer excellent angular positioning and speed consistency”, says Norbert Ludwig, Managing Director of Aerotech GmbH in Fürth. Due to its extremely high torque, the ALAR-XP is virtually predestined for payloads with a high moment of inertia and high mass, when fast accelerations and particular uniform motion are required at the same time for high-precision testing and manufacturing processes.
Free from play, vibration and wear
There are also numerous advantages over worm drives: Since ALAR rotary tables use torque motors with direct drive, they are free from play, vibration and wear. And they can achieve much higher speeds and accelerations than, for example, rotary tables with worm drive. In practice, this leads to improved system accuracy, repeatability and longevity and thus to higher throughput. “Whether fast motion or aggressive vibration of payloads and test specimens – we create the perfect motion with the ALAR-XP series. Users can produce, inspect or process more parts more precisely in less time, resulting in lower operating costs and higher profits”, says Norbert Ludwig.
Brushless direct drive motors without slot
All ALAR tables are directly driven by brushless motors without slot. Since there are no worm gears, gears or clutches to move, ALAR tables can achieve high speeds and acceleration as well as consistent, stable performance with no backlash, hysteresis or wear over time. The rotary tables are driven by motors without slot and without iron core. This results in a low-vibration, low-noise motion with virtually no cogging torque and exceptionally uniform motion. ALAR tables are particularly suitable for applications where outstanding contour motion, uniform scanning speeds and precise incremental steps are required.
Extreme torque with highest precision
ALAR-XP rotary tables are based on Aerotech´s powerful BLMX series, which delivers the highest power and torque of any commercially available brushless and ironless motor without slot. Conventional rotary tables for high torques typically use either gear reductions or slotted iron core motors, but these have both disadvantages with high-precision positioning at high and uniform speed. “The ALAR-XP is a real game changer because users can achieve high torques without compromising the quality of motion”, explains Norbert Ludwig with satisfaction.
Flexible configuration for easy integration
ALAR-XP is offered with functions and options which allow easy integration into multi-axis motion systems and subsystems. The tables are available with 250 mm (500 kg axial payload) or 325 mm (600 kg axial payload) apertures and a variety of encoder options, including analogue 1-Vpp, digital RS422 and absolute encoders. Continuous 360° motion is standard. The motion range can optionally be restricted between 10° and 340°. There are two motor options for each model, depending on the torque required. ALAR-XP tables can even be adapted for use in vacuum. “We offer both standard and customised integration services so that our customers can get their systems up and running as quickly as possible”, explains Norbert Ludwig.
Wide range of possible applications
Applications for ALAR-XP tables can be found in the field of test systems for single and multi-axis sensors, missile tracking systems, measurement of the radiation characteristics of antennas, testing of gyroscopes, adjustment and measurement of large optics as well as high-precision laser processing. ALAR-XP tables can also be configured as two-axis gimballed suspensions. The large aperture diameter and the powerful direct drive motor make the ALAR-XP a more powerful alternative to conventional rotary tables with worm drive or direct drives with slotted iron core motors.
Design features of the ALAR-XP series
- High torque of up to 1,100 nm
- Excellent accuracy, repeatability and minimal incremental motion
- Free aperture diameters of 250 mm or 325 mm
- Extremely precise, jerk-free rotation thanks to directly driven torque motor
- Long service life with constant performance
- High axial, radial and moment loads support large payloads and gimbal configurations
- Designed for easy integration into multi-axis systems and machines
- Incremental and absolute encoder options contribute to excellent accuracy and repeatability
