Executive Summary:

            This project’s goal is to fill a gap in Aerotech’s product line.  Aerotech does not currently have stages capable of moving with nanometer precision repeatedly and without air or ball bearings.  The design must utilize a flexure element to allow stage motion in one direction of travel. 

A design utilizing nested beam flexures reinforced with aluminum frames emerged as the obvious choice.  Further analysis has shown that the design will meet infinite fatigue life specifications.  The stage was designed in Solidworks and has been manufactured to completion.  A control loop to drive the stage has been conceptualized but due to problems with the amplifier, could not be customized to the system.  The amplifier problems prevented the PID controller from being constructed.  If the control loop was created, many more objectives could be fulfilled.

This design has given a basis for either Aerotech or future groups to improve upon.  The mechanical aspect of the stage has nearly all of the objectives met.  Aerotech could easily adapt this design to be used with their equipment.

Team:                                                      Sponsor:          

Flexible                                                   Aerotech

Solutions                                        

                                                                                          Faculty Coach:

                                                                                  Dr Mockensturm

                                                                                    Spring 2006

Team Players:

Andrew Hirsh: Project Manager

Jeremy Chisholm: Accountant

James D'Iorio: Secretary

Brandon Madorma: Project Monitor

Flexure Design using Ansys              Measuring Free Response

analysis:                                             of Stage: