Direct Drive Stages are often integrated into very compact designs for actuators and positioning systems. The motor and feedback device are an integral part of the design, rather than an ‘off the shelf’ motor, coupled to an ‘off the shelf’ actuator.
Although the torque is limited to the torque available from the Direct Drive motor windings, the lack of a gearbox and associated couplings mean that the system will have no backlash or compliance along the drive train. This allows for maintenance-free designs with extremely high precision.
The design of a Direct Drive stage is virtually unlimited, with options available including:
- Rotary
- Linear
- Hollow frame
- High vacuum compatibility