SmarAct Modular System

Introduction

Change is a constant in academic research as well as in industrial manufacturing. Equipment needs to be adaptable in order to address new requirements and to keep investments manageable.
SmarAct's modular system is a product concept which allows customers to adapt, modify and reconfigure even complex multi-axis positioning systems in the field, based on stringent modularity and intercompatibility between linear, rotation and goniometer stages. It allows the combination of compatible actuators of the CLS, SLC, CGO, MLS and SR product series to form complex and reconfigurable positioning setups. Standardized angle brackets, adapters and accessories provide the flexibility needed to combine SmarAct’s single-axis stages into convertible instruments while guaranteeing the highest precision and quality of the positioning solution thus created. Due to the high modularity and large number of components and accessories, the SmarAct modular system offers almost endless possibilities to build your very own setup. The positioning systems presented in the following serve as examples to show the possibilities and onsite reconfigurability of SmarAct’s modular system.

Example of a Modular 6D Positioning System

This exemplary positioning system with six degrees of freedom is useful for applications in the field of X-ray deflection, where a small footprint is required while large travel ranges must be maintained. The two goniometer stages form a Eulerian cradle with a common center of rotation. The rotation axis on top of the goniometer stage allows for a continuous rotation. The XYZ system underneath creates the possibility to freely define the common center of rotation within the addressable volume. If the application requires larger travel ranges on the X and Y axes, the CLS-5252 stages can be easily exchanged for CLS-5282, which offer 20 mm more travel range. Thanks to the intercompatibility within the SmarAct modular system, the height of the system remains the same.

Example of a 5D Micromanipulation Device

In this example an SG-1730 gripping system is mounted as an end effector. For handling pipettes, micrometers or microinjectors, for example, it can easily be replaced by another mechanical or electrical probe.

Example of a Modular 6D Positioning System

This exemplary positioning system with six degrees of freedom is useful for applications in the field of X-ray deflection, where a small footprint is required while large travel ranges must be maintained. The two goniometer stages form a Eulerian cradle with a common center of rotation represented by the green sphere in the image above. The rotation axis on top of the goniometer stage allows for a continuous rotation. The XYZ system underneath creates the possibility to freely define the common center of rotation within the addressable volume. If the application requires larger travel ranges on the X and Y axes, the CLS-5252 stages can be easily exchanged for CLS-5282, which offer 20 mm more travel range. Thanks to the intercompatibility within the SmarAct modular system, the height of the system remains the same.

Mounting Accessories

Breadboard Adapters and Base Plates

Several breadboard adapters are available to fix the positioning system onto your existing optical table or breadboard based experimental setup. The product portfolio includes adapters of different sizes and shapes perfectly matching the corresponding linear stages of the SLC and CLS series. The mounting hole pattern of the adapters allows mounting of linear and rotation stages of different sizes while also providing anchoring points for cable management clamps.

Spacer

Spacers have the same outer dimensions like the corresponding linear stages. They can be mounted directly onto breadboard adapters, on top of stages and also on top of each other.

Brackets

Brackets allow vertical mounting of linear, rotation or goniometer stages to other stages or directly onto the breadboard adapters. Several different dimensions are available to allow mounting of SLC and CLS linear stages, SR rotation stages as well as CGO goniometer stages of different sizes.

Adapter Plates and Clamps

Adapter plates and clamps are required when stacking linear stages or when mounting right-angled brackets or rotation stages. The shape of the clamp depends on the length and the mounting hole pattern of the linear stages used. There are clamps for mounting right-angled brackets on linear stages or for mounting two linear stages perpendicular to each other.

Constant Force Springs

Constant force spring assemblies compensate for static loads on stages when used in vertical orientation. Each assembly includes an adapter that attaches to the bracket as the anchor point for the spring and an adapter plate that mounts to the front of the vertical stage.

Cable Management

The SmarAct modular system also includes clamps for cable management. Various clamp sizes are available, optimized to securely hold a defined number of cables with different diameters.