PI is the world’s leading provider of nanopositioning products and systems. All key technologies are developed, manufactured and qualified in-house by PI: Piezo components, actuators and motors, magnetic drives, guiding systems, nanometrology sensors, electronic amplifiers, digital controllers and software.
PI positioning systems are employed where technology is pushed forward in industry and research. This is done, for example, in semiconductor manufacturing, in medical engineering, in biotechnology, in plant engineering, in surface metrology, or in astronomy.
PI combines its long-term experience in micro and nanopositioning technology with in-depth knowledge in the fields of mechanics, electronics, sensor engineering and software. Thus, PI is able to offer its customers the most advanced drive technologies and system solutions.
The X-417 multi-axis system is specifically designed to meet the rigorous demands of industries requiring high dynamics and precision, making it ideal for applications such as testing, metrology, precision automation, and laser processing. Its modular design allows for complete configurability, enabling it to be tailored to a wide range of operational requirements. Watch the video
Testing, assembling, and packaging of photonic devices requires highly efficient systems. Alignment, especially array alignment, is one of the most significant cost factors, as it is essential at several stages of the production process to ensure throughput and manage production costs. For maximum performance, the optimal combination of accuracy, speed, and intelligent automation is needed. Positioning accuracies with submicron or nanometer precision, and in six degrees of freedom, are required. Read more
PI’s precision hexapods are based on more than three decades of design and manufacturing experience. Our broad range of drive technologies, from piezoelectric to electromagnetic, enables us to offer hexapods for a wide range of specification requirements and installation situations, when combined with the appropriate sensors, software, and motion control. Read more
The economical mass production of silicon photonics (SiPh) components requires high-speed alignment with nanometer accuracies: With thousands of photonic structures on one wafer, the faster the alignment of the signal-carrying optical fibers to the photonic circuits, the faster and thus more economical testing becomes. Probing solutions must combine high speed and precision with adequate sensor technologies to avoid direct contact between probe and wafer, thereby preventing particle formation and damage to chip structures. Read more
The photonics industry is clearly trending towards rapidly increasing production scale, with three orders of magnitude expected in the near future. Whether the challenge is economical, scalable manufacturing of multichannel silicon photonic (SiPh) devices, assembling increasingly sophisticated miniature cameras, or transmitting high-speed data across thousands of miles of space: Alignment is crucial for effectiveness, performance, and practicality. As photonics increasingly includes end-consumer and point-of-care applications, wearables will become a commodity. Read more
Testing, assembling, and packaging of photonic devices requires highly efficient systems. Alignment, especially array alignment, is one of the most significant cost factors, as it is essential at several stages of the production process to ensure throughput and manage production costs. For maximum performance, the optimal combination of accuracy, speed, and intelligent automation is needed. Positioning accuracies with submicron or nanometer precision, and in six degrees of freedom, are required. Read more
For every type of wafer, key prerequisites include uniform substrate and device layer thickness, along with a minimal defect density. Moreover, the wafer’s electrical resistivity must closely align with specified standards. Certain films necessitate characterization, especially for assessing thickness, electrical resistivity, and surface quality and roughness. Reliable and fast measurement technologies help to prevent yield losses by detecting defects in an early stage, and thereby reducing costs. PI is currently developing motion solutions for wafer positioning to facilitate the measurement of crucial wafer attributes. Read more
Dynamic positioning, scanning, and alignment with precision down to the subnanometer realm is critical to success in wafer inspection and metrology. As feature sizes in semiconductor manufacturing shrink and design complexity increases, the demands on the motion systems continue to grow. Metrology processes are therefore highly dependent on precise wafer positioning solutions to enable the fast and reliable analysis of defects or particles at each step of the manufacturing process to prevent yield loss. PI offers proven wafer scanning subsystems that take advantage of piezo technology to meet demanding process requirements where conventional electromagnetic solutions reach their limits. Read more
Innovative ideas around nanopositioning and precision motion control for wafer shaping, wafer stages with piezo performance, air bearings and granite-based multi-axis motion systems. Watch the video
In medicine, finest endoscopes are not only being used for diagnostics but also more and more frequently for the therapy of illnesses. Thanks to their compact and flexible design of just a few millimeters diameter, they ensure even gentler minimally invasive procedures. Contrary to the limitations of the image quality of common endoscopes, the new innovative design of scanning fiber endoscopes (SFEs) offers new possibilities: SFEs generate laser-based, fully colored images with higher resolution and an enlarged visual field, e.g., in optical coherence tomography. The fast motion and control of piezo tubes leads to a scanning motion of the optical fiber in the scanning fiber endoscope. Thanks to this, SFEs deliver more image information, new findings in biomedical research, and improved minimally invasive procedures for the clinical routines. Read more
Traditionally, key manufacturing technologies for semiconductor production have come from Europe. To ensure that this does not change in the future, the European Union is funding the 14ACMOS project to develop the next technology node. It is expected that this node will enable the production of chip structures with dimensions down to 14 angstroms. Physik Instrumente (PI) participates in the research program by developing high-precision positioning systems with accuracies of less than one millionth of a millimeter. Read more
Applications for active shims can be found everywhere, where the gap between two assemblies is critical and needs to be readjusted as a result of drifting or changes in tolerance. Particularly when the ambient conditions and the accessibility make manual intervention complicated, PIRest actuators are a feasible option. Read more
A few weeks ago, the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission was officially approved, and PI’s hexapod will help to build the laser interferometer. LISA, a project of European Space Agency – ESA, is way more sensitive than previous ground-based detectors and aims to detect gravitational waves from extremely massive black holes. Read more [Picture source: PI (Physik Instrumente) Group on linkedin.com]
Motion control systems, which typically control the position of stage or actuator, are sometimes tasked to provide both position and force control. These systems work in a dual mode, where the motion controller either controls the position or the force applied. In force-control mode, the motion stage must apply a controlled force while the position can vary. In position control mode, the stage position is controlled via closed-loop servo, using a position encoder as feedback. When coupled with a direct-drive linear motor, the lack of friction in an air bearing means that the driving system (motor, controller, drive) can transduce electrical current directly into applied force. The absence of friction in the bearing means that no parasitic forces are present, and force can be directly controlled via the closed-loop servo, without the need for an external force sensor. Read more
New Piezo-Based Approach Enables Breakthrough Speed and Accuracy. Laser drilling precision and throughput are limited by a number of factors including optical distortion, tracking accuracy, acceleration limits of motion stages, and focus control performance. This new motion control technology is designed to enhance the precision and accuracy of laser drilling for a wide range of target applications, including aerospace, medical, electronics, and automotive. With our state-of-the-art motion control systems, we offer the foundation to help you design your next generation laser drilling system. Watch the video
Hexapod positioning systems (Stewart Platforms) are versatile tools for multi-axis positioning and motion simulation applications. Hexapods provide 6 degrees of freedom and a user programmable center of rotation (pivot point) that allows extraordinary flexibility in alignment applications. Read more
At PI we have been working hard behind the scenes to expand our hexapod production and shorten lead times, for our customers. This blog article highlights some of the growing applications of miniature six-axis positioning systems. Read more [Picture source: PI BeNeLux B.V. on linkedin.com]
Tip/tilt mirrors for beam stabilization are essential subsystems for free-space optical communication networks. With the rapid development of LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellite networks, the need for such subsystems is growing rapidly. Tip/tilt mirrors from Physik Instrumente (PI) have already proven their space qualification on several occasions. Now, they are proving their value in various satellite networks. Both piezo-based and electromagnetic series systems and operator-specific system solutions from PI meet the necessary technical and economic specifications. Read more
The basis of the fiber alignment system is a very stiff setup with an H-811 hexapod and an P-616 NanoCube® nanopositioner. The parallel-kinematic design for motion in degrees of freedom ensures high system stiffness. The motorreed drives make longer travel ranges possible and at the same time, the NanoCube® nanopositioner ensures fast scanning motion and dynamic compensation of drift effects. Flexure guides and all-ceramic insulated PICMA® actuators guarantee a long lifetime. Because all drives are equipped with position sensors, it is possible for example, to reliably prevent collisions with expensive silicon wafers. Read more
Physik Instrumente (PI) now also offers sales and technical support for ACS Motion Control’s high-performance motion controller and servo drive products in the EMEA and APAC regions. This new agreement strengthens the proximity Andy availability of the brand in addition to its strong presence in the USA, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, as well as China and Korea. Now, ACS products are accessible to motion control system designers in high-tech equipment fields such as semiconductor and display manufacturing, laser material processing, additive manufacturing, and life science applications. This enables them to increase equipment throughput and accuracy thanks to the extensive PI Group technical sales and support network. Read more
Based on a comprehensive analysis of the production processes for hexapods, Physik Instrumente (PI) has adapted its production capacities to the sharp increase in demand and is prepared to expand them even further if required. The focus of the restructuring was the optimization and relocation of the entire “Hexapods” production area to newly designed premises, as well as the expansion of the workforce. The measures are an integral part of the company-wide investment program with a volume of more than sixty-three million euros. The aim is to capitalize on PI’s above-average growth opportunities in the markets Industrial Automation, Semiconductor and Photonics, as well as Microscopy and Life Sciences. Read more
Physik Instrumente (PI) is intensifying its cooperation with leading universities and research institutions. To do so, the specialist for piezo technology, nano positioning, and performance automation is transferring areas from research and development to so-called “innovation hubs” in close proximity to technical universities and colleges. Read more
From cryogenic applications to quantum computing and even active vibration control: the future of Piezo is bright and full of opportunities! Watch the video
The combination of magnetic guidings and dedicated high precision drive and sensor technologies provides high dynamics and highest resolutions down to the picometer range. Read more
Recent successes in laser processing come down to a tandem of progression in ultra-short pulse laser technologies, motion control and industrial automation. In order to direct the laser beam precisely to where its energy is needed, either the beam can be manipulated, or the sample that needs to be machined or processed may be manipulated instead. This is possible by steering the beam with a set of movable mirrors, often called a Galvo Scanner, or by moving the sample in the X and Y coordinate. High end solutions combine both methods to achieve greater precision and speed. Read more and watch the video
When it comes to high precision, granite-based, multi-axis motion systems, manufacturers have two fundamental options: Design a motion system where the granite base becomes an integral part, with bearings mounted directly on the granite slab and no need for a base plate – or, use off-the-shelf, discrete motion / positioning stages and mount them on a granite base or split-bridge granite structure. The decision for each individual case depends on a number of factors which will be discussed below, as both of these multi-axis motion platform designs have specific advantages and limitations. Read more
Active alignment is the type of sensor alignment that uses the real-time images to assist in the positioning of the sensor. The X and Y position, degrees of rotation, tilt, and back focal distance are all measured via feedback from the sensor as it is being aligned. Read more
With PI Motion, high performance 3D Print Systems can be built in a matter of days, work with industrial standard STL files, and offer the highest level of performance. Read more
Magnetic levitation or MagLev technology allows frictionless motion with resolution down to the sub-nanometer range as well as the active control of all 6 degrees of freedom, without any mechanical restrictions or connections. Instead of traditional mechanical bearings, such as crossed-rollers, the moving platform is floating on and guided by magnetic fields that are calculated by sophisticated control algorithms. Watch the video
As of January 01, 2023, Physik Instrumente (PI) GmbH & Co. KG takes on 53 engineers, software experts, and other specialists from the insolvent IBS Ingenieurbüro Dr. Klaus Schnürer GmbH and establish a new subsidiary within the PI Group. Read more
Air bearing slides and air bearing tables provide high performance motion for applications that require 24/7 operation with high speed, precision and repeatability and without the need for maintenance. Air bearings precision motion systems are used in linear tables, rotation tables and also in multi-axis gantry robots. On the other end of the spectrum, air bearings can be designed for miniaturized nano-positioning stage applications. A place with a great deal of experience in the design and manufacture of air bearing motion systems is on the US East Coast in Massachusetts. Watch the video
To protect sensitive electronic components from contaminants seeping in and to ensure safe and reliable operation, the components’ housing must be sealed hermetically. Using a laser source as a tool provides high welding speeds and produces fine welding seams with narrow welding radiuses. Read more: Read more
Automation of alignment in photonics device test, production and assembly is crucial for boosting throughput. Faster multi-axis photonics and fiber alignment stages and improved algorithms are the base for any automated production line. Scott Jordan, Physik Instrumente’s Head of Photonics, explains how PI’s motion systems enable simultaneous active alignment of several optical components achieving 99% reduction in alignment times. Watch the video
X-417 Integrated Multi-Axis System: Scalable standard integration levels for fast configuration, delivery and startup to accelerate the implementation of precision automation processes such as laser micromachining, 3D printing, test and inspection. Watch the video
Recent successes in laser processing come down to a tandem of progression in ultra-short pulse laser technologies, motion control and industrial automation. In order to direct the laser beam precisely to where its energy is needed, either the beam can be manipulated, or the sample that needs to be machined or processed may be manipulated instead. This is possible by steering the beam with a set of movable mirrors, often called a Galvo Scanner, or by moving the sample in the X and Y coordinate. High end solutions combine both methods to achieve greater precision and speed. Read more
The precise and fast movement of the sample or the objective play a crucial role for achieving good results when working with light microscopes. The demands on stages and scanners are manifold. In addition to the position resolution, which directly correlates with the optical resolution of the microscope, velocity and dynamics are other elemental requirements for the motion system. Furthermore, the availability of holders for inserts such as petri dishes, well plates, and slides is fundamental for sample stages. Read more
Professor Dr. Jan Huisken, Director of Medical Engineering at Morgridge Institute for Research, explains in an interview the technology and the philosophy of the Flamingo project and how the cooperation with PI has come about. Watch the video
The integration of photonic structures or elements (e.g. waveguides, laser and photodiodes, multiplexer) on a silicon chip presents, already at wafer level, a multitude of new challenges for the testing technology of these elements. In order to transmit the design of the structure, from the concept through its qualification up to series production, a very large amount of performance data of the respective element is required. Read more
Glass is indispensable for the modern consumer industry. The transparent material is used mainly for displays on smartphones, tablets, and screens. The demands on glass processing have also increased considerably because of the constant further development and large-scale production of these products. Read more
High performance motion control plays a key part in positioning and handling applications, such as those in semiconductor manufacturing, laser and materials processing, optical inspection systems, additive manufacturing or industrial digital printing. In addition to providing reliability and robustness, deterministic behavior with minimized latency, high-speed synchronization with external devices, such as lasers and cameras, is required to achieve sub-micrometer path accuracy, exact positioning repeatability, high dynamics, and throughput. Safety, ease of operation, and state-of-the-art connectivity for integration into industrial network environments are further requirements. Read more
Smartphone, smartwatch, tablet, industry electronics, electric car, camera and security systems, hearing aids, or pace makers – none of these technologies can do without the printed circuit board (PCB). It makes electronic devices come to life and makes trends in developments possible. The 6G cellular networks standard, autonomous driving, or M2M communication with their ever increasing data rates or quantities and high power densities cannot exist without the PCB. These trends set new standards for connectivity – it must be more functional, more compact, and more affordable. Read more
High-end automation, manufacturing, metrology, and test applications rely on precision motion control systems. In 24/7 operations, maintenance-free positioning systems gather additional bonus points and when a motion principle also is devoid of particle generation, people who design products in cleanrooms, such as optical and semiconductor process and test engineers, are happy, too. Read more and watch the video
When faced with a multi-axis motion application, many users stack motion stages, and in fact that is a fine approach for assemblies of just a few axes. But as applications become more complex, so do the equivalent stacks-of-stages, and very real and practical considerations begin to come into play. Read more
Vertical positioning systems with large travel range, high dynamics and precision are required in numerous applications in microscopy and industry. With the new V-308 voice coil PIFOC, PI now offers a magnetic direct drive based solution that unites all these requirements. Read more
Any instrument to survive the trip to and operating conditions on Mars needs to be designed to withstand the most adversary conditions. NASA’s Rover Curiosity has been analyzing mineral probes on the Red Planet for years to find out whether there once was life on Mars. A piezoelectric high performance and high precision shaking mechanism was designed to sort particles drilled from rock samples and aid the Robot’s chemical analysis. The piezoelectric actuators were run 100 Billion test cycles before the trip to make sure they were tough enough. Watch the video
Precision components, stable control and a great deal of experience in engineering are essential for high-precision complex motion and positioning solutions. PI is a supplier of technologically sophisticated motion-centric solutions and therefore makes use of own drive components and high-precision positioners. All levels of integration can be offered up to multi-axis combinations that use different drive technologies including motion control. Read more
From genome sequencing through multiphoton fluorescence microscopy, deep tissue inspection, laser materials processing, and wafer inspection to magnetic tweezers in research … vertical positioning systems with large travel range, high dynamics and precision are required in numerous applications in microscopy and industry. With the new V-308 voice coil PIFOC, PI now offers a magnetic direct drive based solution that unites all these requirements. Read more
PI supports semiconductor equipment suppliers worldwide with high-precision and reliable motion and control solutions in order to fulfill the high demands in semiconductor manufacturing: Both in the production and development of components used in systems and machines as well as for use in the highly sensitive semiconductor manufacturing processes themselves, e.g. for positioning and aligning masks, wafers or optics. Read more and watch the video
The market and technology leader for high-precision positioning technology and piezo applications, PI (Physik Instrumente), Karlsruhe, Germany, has acquired 100% of the Japanese company P·G·W Precision Granite W Co. Ltd. The acquisition was completed on February 25th, 2021. Read more
We welcomed the new year with some fresh leadership at PI Benelux. Erik Reichardt takes over from Dick Moerman in the role of Managing Director. Dick stays in the PI family and will take on a new challenge at corporate in Karlsruhe. “I am looking forward to see Erik take off and shine in his new position.” Read more
Today Chip Integration Technology Center (CITC), Tegema, PI (Physik Instrumente) and PHIX released their new Photonics Assembly Consortium called PODIUM, funded by PhotonDelta and CITC. The name PODIUM refers to PIC Open Development Infrastructure for Universal Markets. The consortium runs a program in which optical termination technology, assembly and packaging is developed for a wide range of integrated photonic applications. Read more
Aspherical lenses have rotationally symmetrical optics around the optical axis, whose radius of curvature changes radially with the distance from the center. This allows optical systems to achieve high image quality, whereby the number of elements required decreases and that saves on both costs and weight. However, for manufacturers, testing the aspheric shape accuracy, which means the quality of these types of lenses, is a considerable challenge: It requires measuring the tiniest deviations in shape in the nanometer range while making short measuring and setup times possible. Read more and watch the video
Ultrasound is a versatile technology that is becoming increasingly important in medical technology. One of the many examples: Tissue areas can be manipulated in a targeted manner, e.g. to destroy cancerous tumors. For more examples and explanations, download the whitepaperand find out more about HIFU transducers!
Piezo stepping drives or magnetic drives enable high-precision positioning over large travel ranges. However, high resolution and linearity over large travel ranges can only be achieved with highest resolution measuring systems and method. Read more
Users are often faced with the challenge of combining seemingly conflicting requirements for the positioning system in their microscope. On the one hand, for example, large travel ranges need to be covered at the highest possible speeds, on the other hand, many microscopy techniques require positioning accuracies of far less than 100 nanometers. Read more
A new technology, also based on the piezo effect, can be utilized in situations where high resolution and stability are crucial, but a continuous drive voltage is unwanted and accessibility for manual adjustment is not possible. Read more
Nowadays, ametropia can be corrected in up to high diopter ranges thanks to refractive operation techniques. In ophthalmology, the shape of the cornea is modeled in the optical axis by removing corneal tissue with laser beams so that the resulting refractive power of the cornea matches the length of the eyeball again. The laser beam control and focusing requires high-precision positioning systems. Read more
The hunger for data rises exponentially. Globally, we generate 2,5 quintillion bytes of data each day. In 2015, data centers all over the world consumed 40 percent more electricity than the entire UK in that same year. As consumers, we demand more and more from our devices and from the internet of things. Consequently, the technology behind our products, becomes more ingenious by the day. As a result, conventional interconnect technology is hardly sufficient anymore and even faces signal degradation. Read more
Intensive care is an increasingly important area of hospital patient care, especially in global medical crises like the current COVID-19 pandemic. Viruses and other infections particularly affect people with pre-existing conditions such as renal or cardiovascular diseases. In regard to the treatment and therapy of such illnesses, the demands on the medical devices used are ever increasing as well. Piezo technology offers various possibilities to improve them: Using piezo transducers, for example, makes intensive care devices such as infusion systems smarter and facilitates vital patient monitoring. Read more
Ventilators provide a mixture of air and oxygen to the patient while ensuring the adequate pressure to ventilate the lungs. Valve functions with flow rates from high to low velocity can be implemented using piezo technology: piezo actuators switch valves directly or work against a closing spring or a flexible tube for volume displacement. Read more
Today, lasers are used in a wide variety of processes in many industrial sectors to optimize manufacturing process and ensure the high quality of components. This for example, is how the electronics business sector or the semiconductor industry benefits from the advanced capabilities for laser technology. Read more
Strict regulations apply for the safety of personnel in manufacturing environments. When fast movements are carried out and large forces act, it is necessary to take special safety measures. Typically barriers, e.g. fences that spatially separate people from the machines, are common and relatively easy-to-integrate solutions. However, if mechanical systems cannot be installed or if the work process is influenced by them, contact-free safety concepts such as a light grid or a light curtain can be used. A light curtain forms a close-meshed protective field and, therefore, secures the access to the danger zone. Read more
With a focus on parallel optimization and nanoscale accuracy, precision positioning specialist PI is streamlining the optical alignment, test and packaging of quantum photonic devices. Read more [Source: physicsworld]
Conventional assembly automation techniques cannot provide the continuous improvement in cost and yield necessary for today’s environment. PI’s groundbreaking parallel gradient search allows simultaneous optimization of multiple degrees of freedom, elements and channels. Read more
Which hexapod is suitable for a specific application and how do external factors influence the limits of the workspace and load? With the hexapod simulation tool from PI (Physik Instrumente) you can check even before making a decision on which model to buy if a hexapod is suitable for the positioning task at hand and if it is, which model exactly is suitable. Read more
Medical engineering and life-science disciplines have multi-faceted requirements for motion and positioning equipment: the spectrum spans from ultrasonic transducers to simple low-energy drive components to high-precision positioning systems and ultra-fast actuators for valve and pumping applications.
Piezoceramic transducers and motor drives meet these needs and have a long track record of reliability and ruggedness in industries such as semiconductor manufacturing and optical technologies. Read more
