Air Bearing Technology: Floating on a cushion of air, linear, rotary, and spherical air bearing stages deliver extremely precise, vibration-free motion, extreme geometric performance and repeatability, a highly constant velocity, and zero wear of mechanical components – ideal for high-end industrial inspection and manufacturing operations, such as optical metrology, flat panel display, precision scanning, and cleanroom applications.
Parallel, Serial Kinematics Positioners: In 1990, PI began designing the world’s largest selection of parallel positioners (hexapod Stewart platforms) for sub-micron precision optical alignment applications in large scale astronomical telescopes. Over the years, many applications – alignment of fibers, medical apparatus, aerospace components, laser diodes, automotive components – have benefited from the flexibility and versatility of micro-motion hexapod robots.
Piezo Technology: Piezoelectric solid-state drives provide many benefits over traditional stepper and servo motors for medical, automotive, semiconductors and aerospace applications including unlimited resolution, very high stiffness and force, extremely fast response, and no energy required to hold a position, even with heavy loads. NASA engineers confirmed the outstanding quality when testing PI actuators for the Mars Rover, observing zero failures after 100 billion cycles.
In-house engineered solutions for over 4 decades
PI (Physik Instrumente) designs and manufactures precision motion systems in the USA, Europe, and Asia. Leading the world as the first and largest manufacturer of nanopositioning products based on a variety of piezoelectric drive systems, PI is also leading the field of high- precision parallel-positioners, such as hexapod and planar-pod 6-axis designs. Other technologies include standard and custom electromagnetic linear motors, magnetic levitation systems and air bearings – a critical technology for many high- end manufacturing and metrology applications. Founded over 40 years ago as a supplier to physics research labs, PI has grown into a business of 1,300+ employees in 13 countries and more than $100 million in annual global sales.