Aerotech to showcase high-precision solutions for analysing surfaces at Control 2025
April 1, 2025
Aerotech, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, will be showcasing its high-precision solutions for analysing surfaces, high-performance motion control systems and the integration of advanced measurement processes at Control International Trade Fair for Quality Assurance, scheduled to take place from May 6-9, 2025, in Stuttgart, Germany.
On show will be the high-precision multi-axis SMP (Surface Measurement Motion Platform) for surface measurement applications. This platform is well-suited to the production of optical components for laser material processing, bio, medical and semiconductor technology, where precise surface measurements or non-destructive quality assurance are essential.
“Optical components are widely used in many applications such as mobile phones, to medical instruments used for prevention, diagnostics and therapy to laser processing or Additive Manufacturing,” explained Simon Smith, European Director at Aerotech. “High-precision measurements of spherical, aspherical and cylindrical shapes in the nanometre range are essential to confirm the component quality.”
The SMP enables flexible 2D and 3D contouring and reportedly reduces the processing time for surface measurements by up to 40% due to its unique continuous rotation axis and R-Theta transformation and excellent positioning performance which saves time on the typical raster scanning metrology methods. The machine also requires up to 60% less floor space than comparable Cartesian measuring systems.
Automation1 2.10
Aerotech has also released its Automation1 motion control platform in version 2.10.
“One of our trade fair highlights is the functional enhancements to the Automation1 motion control platform in release 2.10,” Smith commented. “With innovative features such as conditional plot display, improved access control and optimised galvo calibration features, we offer a comprehensive machine control solution.”
The platform includes:
- Conditional plotting: A new feature in data collection, it is managed primarily through the Configure Signals and Edit Plot dialogs; users set up plot conditions to do things like change the colour of a position signal when an error signal exceeds some threshold or hide a signal when a digital input is off
- Access control and secure communication have been extended to drive-based controllers (out of beta)
- Laser control at 20khz, used for controlling laser output at 20kHz granularity on servo axes, allowing users a way to synchronise to I/O at rates higher than 1 kHz for servos using Position Synchronised Output (PSO)
- Updates to the Galvo Calibration module, intending to make it easier for customers doing Mark & Measure and allowing users to add new calibration data tables to the Galvo 2D Axis Calibration file
- Current Loop FF Configuration (allows customers to customise their current loop feedfoard, i.e. increase current loop bandwidth by adding a Resistance and Inductance feedforward term to the current loop), Tuning Recipe Runtime (allow customers to create and upload their own custom tuning recipes)
- Help file updates, PWM Drive Improvements, API Improvements (.NET & Linux), etc
With the fully customisable Machine Apps HMI development tool, Automation1 expands the possibilities for machine control with a powerful user interface. The user-friendly solution allows users to create individual HMIs without programming knowledge, configure modules via drag-and-drop and customise interfaces to their own corporate design.
“The bottom line is that MachineApps significantly reduces development time and provides machine builders with a flexible, customised solution that enables both intuitive control and quick integration into existing systems,” said Brett Heintz, Controls Product Management Group Leader at Aerotech.
Peak Metrology
Aerotech subsidiary Peak Metrology will also be at the show and will present a high-performance positioning system developed in cooperation with metrology specialist Keyence. Peak Metrology develops standard and customised equipment for high-precision measurement and inspection processes.
“The market for digital microscopes is booming, but existing systems are quickly reaching their limits,” explained RJ Hardt, President of Peak Metrology. “We offer our customers solutions that can also be used to measure larger parts.”
The demo system at Control is an automated non-contact 3D surface measuring device. It combines state-of-the-art laser line scanning technology with high-precision positioning stages for linear and rotary movements. The integrated Peak CaptureUI data acquisition and measurement software as well as the Peak Image topography analysis software enable detailed 3D surface profilometry and analysis in the micrometre range.
The system’s versatility is said to make it well-suited for precisely measuring and analysing surfaces of varying size and complexity in laboratory and production environments. The high-speed data acquisition almost reaches the fundamental limits of measurement accuracy and reliability. This is realised by combining first-class motion control devices with industry-leading measurement sensors and user-friendly software tools.
These systems are used in semiconductor production, precision manufacturing, electronics, aerospace and medical technology. High-performance positioning systems are particularly indispensable in quality assurance within the production line – for example in wafer inspection or the manufacture of flat screens.
Aerotech’s high-precision solutions will be on display at Stand 3404 in Hall 3.
