Unlike screw-driven stages, the XM employs a center-driven, ironless linear motor as the driving element. Since the linear motor is a frictionless direct drive device, there is no backlash or hysteresis, wind-up or stiction limiting the motion performance. The linear motor drive also offers the advantage of higher speed, acceleration and system responsiveness with no wear to motor brushes or drive screws. The extra-large, ironless motor coil ensures zero cogging for ultra smooth velocity control and provides higher efficiency compared to alternative stage designs. This results in significantly less heat generation, which is generally the main limit for ultra-precision motion applications. To further improve thermal management and its effect on stage performance, the XM also has the benefit of a sophisticated length decoupling of the magnetic track from the stage carriage.

The T-shaped carriage used on the XM provides the optimum solution for precision XY assemblies without impacting the stage preload. It is also more robust and tolerant to non-ideal mounting conditions than stages with a C-shaped carriage design.

For critical positioning applications, Newport offers error mapping upon request for XM series stages driven by our XPS advanced motion controller. We will measure, implement, and verify the results of this error map that will individually optimize each stage's position accuracy. In addition, multi-axis error mapping is also available. Measurements are made at 20.0 ±0.2 °C. A certificate of calibration will be provided with your stage. Actual data may also be provided upon request.

Newport guarantees specification values which are measured and recorded following ASME B5.57 and ISO 230-2 standards. The typical performance values are two times better than the guaranteed specifications.