Motorized Linear Stage, 50 mm Travel, Stepper Motor, 1/4-20

The ILS50BPP Micro Step Drive Stepper Linear Stage offers a 50 mm travel range and combines fast, sub-micron resolution motion in a highly stiff and robust package. Its extruded aluminum body has been optimized to avoid bending effects caused by the different thermal expansion coefficients of the aluminum body and steel rails. The special U-profile also provides stiffness to the structure while keeping the mass low. A preloaded, backlash-free ballscrew provides rapid movements with fast step and settling times. The screw is accurately profiled to reduce heating to a minimum and extend the life of the stage. Recirculating ball bearing slides ensure accurate linear motion and eliminate ball cage migration found on typical linear ball bearings or crossed roller bearings. Position measurements are read with a 4000 pts/rev. encoder located directly on the screw, avoiding screw/motor coupling errors. An upper rigid cover prevents damage to the drive train and protects it from dust, debris and other pollutants. ILS Series stages also feature an origin located at the center of travel for repeatable initialization, limit switches to prevent over travel, and elastomeric end-of-run dampers for smooth emergency braking.

Economical Micro-stepping Stepper Motor

For less demanding applications, a stepper motor can be a more economical solution than a DC motor. A stepper motor operates using the basic principle of magnetic attraction and repulsion, converting digital pulses into mechanical shaft rotation. To improve the resolution and smoothness of motion, these stages feature micro-stepping, a method of electronically dividing a full-step of motion into a high number of partial steps.

Rotary Encoder for Improved Performance

Stepper motors are often run open-loop, with position attained by the number of commanded steps and micro-steps. This works reliably when used within their specified torque and speed range; however, the motion of a stepper motor becomes unpredictable outside their specified range. To avoid screw/motor coupling errors, position measurements of these stages are read on a 4000 cts/rev. rotary encoder located directly on the screw.

Backlash-free Precision Ground Ballscrew

These motorized linear stages include a preloaded, backlash-free, precision ground ball screw, which provides smooth, rapid motion with short step and settling time. The screw profile is designed to reduce heating effects, extending the life of the stage.

FEM Optimized Aluminum Body

Finite element method (FEM) was used to optimize the structural design of the ILS Series stage aluminum body allowing for extreme stiffness and minimizing bi-metal bending without compromising weight. The rigid body design reduces deflection under load allowing for the highest performance possible in an aluminum stage design. FEM optimized IMS stages are also available which offer longer travel ranges, higher load capacities, and larger moving platforms.