STRUCTURAL SPECIFICATIONS

Bridge slides have two double-rail guides and linear bearings. The double rail guide consists of two parallel hardened and ground 12 mm diameter steel shafts, accuracy grade h6, hardness Rc 62. These rails are secured in extruded aluminum channels 25 mm high. Parallelism and accurate center distances are achieved using 12 mm diameter h6 hardened and ground spacers inserted into
the extrusion at 50 mm centers. The intrinsic accuracy of this bearing system is provided by the precision steel shafts separated by precision spacers. The system with two double rails on each side of the bridge provides system orthogonality and rigidity consistent with the positioning specifications of the system.

Linear bearings have a single piece bearing core ground all over and two recirculating ball bearing circuits with 3.5 mm diameter steel balls. Preloaded bearings eliminate play and provide smooth and accurate motion along the track. The lead screw on all axes is made of stainless steel. An aluminum dust cover with Teflon lip seals provides long-lived protection to the internal components of each slide assembly.

The X axis system has two double-rail 36 mm x 28 mm structural aluminum retainer profile assemblies which run the length of the tank assembly, one on each side. One rail has a lead screw supported by two axial bearings. The lead screw drives a double-guide block assembly with two linear bearings that supports one end of the Y axis bridge.

The other rail supports the other end of the Y axis bridge with a free-running bearing block assembly. The X drive consists of a lead screw assembly driven by a stepper or servo motor directly mounted at one end of the rail. The drive is bi-directional resulting in little or no backlash, even acceleration, and accurate operation.

The transverse axis (Y) suspension system lead screw is supported by two axial bearings. A bi-directional stepper or servo motor system also drives the Y lead screw and a double-guide block assembly with two linear bearings from which the search tube or motorized Z assembly is suspended.

A vertical Z axis slide is constructed in the same double rail configuration as the X and Y slides. In addition it has a self-locking brake to maintain carriage position when power to the motor is turned off or interrupted.

ACCESSORIES ARIUS IV� can be outfitted with a number of accessories:

Turntable with self-centering jaws
Water circulation system
Gimbal/swivel manipulator
Remote, hand-held control
Bridge mounted monitor