December 22, 2016 – The usefulness of hexapods, or Stewart Platforms, is expanding as research and industry increase the scope of application to include motion simulation, industrial production, precision machining, automotive assembly, image stabilization, and alignment of opto-mechanical components. As the usability increases, PI is responding with new hexapods to meet those project needs - the H-850KML, 500kg high-load hexapod and the H-825KLL, compact hexapod with load capacity to 35kg. Both systems provide sub-micron precision.
Hexapods are 6 DOF motion systems that derive 6-axis movement (XYZ, Pitch, Yaw) from actuators placed in parallel between a top and bottom platform. Available in a variety of sizes with bases ranging from 100mm to 1m and different stiffness configurations in addition to the load range capabilities, hexapods are a solution to complex multi-axis precision motion applications. PI hexapods come with controllers and software tools, all 6 axes can be commanded as Cartesian coordinates, and the center of rotation can be changed on the fly with a software command. Other advantages are the absence of friction caused by moving cables.
The H-850KML combines up to 100mm linear travel and rotation ranges to 60 degrees with sub-micron precision and 400kg self-locking capability. Six-degrees of freedom, the high load rating, and the user programmable pivot point make the H-850KML an ideal tool for many automation, test and alignment applications from precision engineering projects to the manipulation and placement of satellites.
