• Closed loop ±1 µm bi-directional repeatability

• 30 nm Positioning Resolution

• 22 N Axial Load Capacity

• Set and Forget Long-term Stability

• Plug and Play Controller/Driver Options

• Patented Actuator Design 

Our closed-loop Picomotor piezo actuator is ideal for applications where closed-loop control and position calibration is required. With an integrated rotary encoder and forward and reverse limit switches, this unique device offers the best attributes of the standard Picomotor actuator with the added benefits of exceptional accuracy and ±1 µm bi-directional repeatability over the entire half-inch travel range.

Features

Closed Loop Positioning

Choose between operating the actuator in closed-loop mode where it can hold a set position, or command it to move a specified distance. You can also choose between position or velocity profiled movement. Either way, when the actuator reaches its target location, the controller will adjust the motor to the precise requested encoder count and then stop motion. Even if you keep the servo loop enabled, the motor will only move in response to any system disturbances which cause rotation of the screw. Because the inherent resolution of the motor is finer than the resolution of the encoder, zero-count encoder error is always achieved. You can query the encoder to determine the rotation of the screw at any time.

Exceptional Positioning Precision

Our Picomotor actuators have a step size of less than 30 nm per step, allowing for very small, controlled movements.

Substantial Force Contained in a Small Package

With load capacity of 5 lbs (22 N), our closed loop Picomotor actuators have a substantial push force.

Set-and-forget stability with virtually no backlash

Picomotor actuators only move when voltage is applied to the piezo causing its length to change and in turn moving the jaws which turn the screw. When no power is applied, the actuator does not move. You can feel confident that your set-up will stay put, even when you power down your system.

Easy-to-use Flexible Motion Controllers and Drivers

Our Picomotor controller and drivers are modular. You can daisy-chain up to 31 drivers together. Our 8743-CL is a 2-axis closed-loop intelligent motion controller/driver that provides fine tuning, absolute positioning, compact and low cost solution for driving New Focus closed-loop Picomotors products. You can interface our controllers through a handpad or computer.

How the Picomotor Patented Design Works

Picomotor actuators rely on the basic difference between dynamic and static friction. An example of this is the magician\'s “tablecloth trick,” in which a quick pull (low dynamic friction) of the cloth leaves the dishes on the table, while a slow pull (high static friction) would pull the dishes off the table and cause a big mess! Our Picomotor actuator uses the same principle with a threaded jaw, similar to two halves of a split nut, clamped around a precision 80-pitch screw. One jaw is connected to one end of a piezoelectric transducer, and the other jaw is connected to the other end of the transducer. A slow electrical signal applied to the piezo slowly changes the length, causing the two jaws to slide in opposite directions. This slow sliding motion makes the screw turn (static friction). At the end of the transducer motion, a fast electrical signal quickly returns the jaws to their starting positions. Because of the screw’s inertia and low dynamic friction, it remains motionless, holding its position. Simply reversing the order of the fast and slow signals reverses the direction of rotation.

Upgrade Your Existing Manual Stages and Mounts

The closed-loop Picomotor actuator can be integrated into most of our opto-mechanical mounts and is compatible with our translation stages.

Accessories

Use the Model 8310 Picomotor actuator with our Model 8743-CL Intelligent Closed-Loop Picomotor controller/driver. Our modular iPico drivers and controllers provide the ability to build a system incorporating multiple standard Picomotor actuators and one or more closed-loop Picomotor actuators at the same time on the same control network. Our Closed-Loop Picomotor controller/driver includes a USB stick with companion software, the manual, and example programs in LabVIEW™ enabling you to get up and running quickly. The provided GUI allows you to test and use an actuator network without doing any programming. Adding the Model 8758 Hand Control Pad provides an option for stand-alone operation without use of a computer.

Dimensions