Motion Systems

Additive manufacturing and 3D printing are set to revolutionize multiple areas of technology and manufacturing. The dispensing of compounds and coatings requires a 3D motion system to move either the printing head or the substrate with up to six degrees of freedom. Overall system accuracy and throughput are vitally important to creating complex structures with a commercially viable process. Aerotech offers a full range of additive manufacturing motion systems and components to fit any application. The company offers a selection of linear, rotary, lift and Z-axis stages and goniometers that are complemented by drives and controls. Aerotech also manufactures a variety of linear motor gantry systems that are available with all electronics and a machine base and are ready to produce immediately upon installation. The motion specialist has also supplied custom systems installed in a variety of current additive manufacturing applications. The controllers are available in both stand-alone and software-only versions with from 1 to 32 axes of synchronized control. The company offers both mechanical and air-bearing stages, depending on the respective requirements. Motors can be brush, brushless, torque, linear or rotary. Steel or granite machine bases are available and easily integrated into the system. Furthermore, Aerotech can engineer and build a custom system designed to customer's exact specifications.