(Aerotech: Pittsburgh) -- The ABL1500 direct-drive linear air-bearing stage from Aerotech Inc., designer and manufacturer of precision motion control products, meets the needs of demanding scanning and inspection applications with fully active preload, high stiffness, and unsurpassed geometric characteristics. Its positioning tolerances exceed the capability of conventional ball-screw and mechanical-bearing systems. The noncontact design ensures years of maintenance-free operation.

The stages are appropriate for critical applications in any industry that require exceptionally smooth and accurate linear motion to manufacture, test, or inspect a product. These include semiconductor, data storage, medical and genome devices, and any industries requiring cleanroom operation.

The stage is driven by a brushless linear servomotor with an ironless forcer for zero cogging, and no attractive forces, resulting in unsurpassed smoothness of motion. Because there is no mechanical contact between moving elements, the stages experience no wear or performance reduction over time. Service life is virtually unlimited with no lubrication.

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