Gimbals brings direct-drive performance to azimuth/elevation position applications for precision scanning, target tracking, camera and telescope pointing applications
Aerotech's AOM360D gimbals head a wide range of direct-drive, high accuracy, elevation-over-azimuth positioning solutions aimed at precision scanning, target tracking, camera and telescope pointing applications.
Applying brushless, direct-drive servo motor technology with high accuracy encoder feedback to this specialised area of motion control, typically used for positioning large diameter optics, sensors or antennae, has resulted in major performance and specification advances over traditional motor/gearbox driven systems.
These include higher speeds for faster tracking capability, zero backlash and removal of mechanical hysteresis or gear wind-up for improved positioning accuracy and repeatability, removal of gear borne vibration for improved dynamic performance, and the significant reduction in maintenance and extended life capability.
Furthermore, Aerotech's S-series brushless servomotors utilise a slotless and ironless design claiming zero cogging and no torque ripple, resulting in smoother motion and more precise positioning.
Direct-drive motors are also cooler running, providing much higher thermal stability with a quoted value of less than 0.4arc-sec/degreeC.
Available in four models suited to mirrors with outside diameters between 200 and 500mm, the AOM360D provides full 360deg rotation in both azimuth and elevation axes with a 50kg payload capacity for the largest model.
Positioning accuracy and repeatability ranges between +/-1arc-sec to +/-10arc-sec with resolution between 0.055 and 0.88arc-sec depending upon encoder and multiplier selection.
Maximum speed is based upon feedback data rate and can be up to 50rpm.
Azimuth/elevation positioning, in particular for laser beam delivery and target tracking systems, are by their very nature normally carried out over long distances; consequently the orthogonality and wobble characteristics of the assembly are critical to application performance.
The AOM360D uses large diameter, matched-set Abec-7 bearings to maximise performance and boasts a wobble specification of 3arc-sec in azimuth and 5arc-sec in elevation.
Orthogonality between axes is 10arc-sec as standard with an optional 5arc-sec available to special order.
Further benefits of the large diameter bearing and thick-walled, precision-ground shaft are low moment stiffness and reduced rotating friction permitting large payloads without compromise to performance.
Standard finish for the range is textured epoxy paint (Polane-T) with vacuum prepared options available for 10-3 or 10-6 torr.
The complete range of Aerotech gimbals are covered in a new eight page brochure available on request or by PDF download.
The full colour brochure also covers the AMG range of direct-drive azimuth/elevation positioners with a clear comparison between these two premium ranges in terms of accuracy, resolution, repeatability, payload capacity, scanning smoothness, fine motion stepping capability, and torque and in-position stability.
The AMG range is Aerotech's newest family of high performance gimbals for mirrors from 150 to 600mm diameter, featuring zero cogging, direct-drive motors for fast and smooth motion with high resolution encoders providing 0.009arc-second resolution for ultra fine stepping.
They utilise Aerotech's latest direct-drive technology and FEA engineered design for high performance, low cost of ownership applications.
The brochure also includes the AOM130M series gear-driven series and the AOM130 manually driven range with sections on manual optical mounts as well as an overview of customised gimbals, pedestal mounts and examples of Aerotech's custom engineered solutions.
