Aerotech has increased its LaserTurn® range of integrated linear/rotary motion subsystems aimed at high throughput cylindrical industrial laser processing applications. Using Aerotech’s brushless direct-drive positioning technology, the new LaserTurn1 provides high speed and high resolution positioning for 100 mm of linear travel and full spindle rotation, and comes complete with collet and automated materials handling built-in. It fulfils smaller component production requirements for material diameters to 3.0 mm for wet cutting and 7.9 mm dry whilst Aerotech’s LaserTurn2 and LaserTurn5 series are available for processing material diameters to 30 mm with a linear travel range to 300 mm.
The LaserTurn1 utilises an integrated linear/rotary design with a low moving mass and a high manufacturers of bearing stiffness that has been well proven on the larger -2 and -5 models. This design compares very favourably against separate linear and rotary stages used in similar applications by minimising dynamic pitch error under the rapid acceleration and direction reversals generated from its high power brushless direct frequency drive motors. When compared to traditional ballscrew and worm-wheel driven mechanics, direct drive motors produce a much higher throughput and their non-contact design, and use with non-contact industrial encoders, provides smooth motion, zero backlash performance, and micron level precision and repeatability; with long life with minimal maintenance also guaranteed for a minimal overall cost of ownership.