Design Features

Aerotech\'s ABRS series rotary air-bearing stages provide superior angular positioning, velocity stability and error motion performance in an exceptionally low-profile package. The ABRS is designed to meet the exacting requirements of wafer inspection, high precision metrology, x-ray diffraction systems, optical inspection and fabrication, and MEMS/nanotechnology device fabrication.

Compact Package

The design of the ABRS series direct-drive rotary stage has been optimized to minimize stage height. The low profile of the stage reduces the effective working height of the system, minimizing stack-up related errors. In addition to the low overall height, the ABRS series provides a clear aperture that can be used for product feed-through, laser beam delivery, cable clearance or application-specific requirements.

Superior Mechanical Design

The ABRS design features large air-bearing surfaces for high stiffness and load capacity, producing not only excellent axial and radial error motions but outstanding tilt error motion, as well. The resultant face error motion is significantly better than other rotary air-bearing tables and spindles, greatly benefiting applications requiring exceptional planar performance.

Brushless Direct-Drive

To maximize positioning performance, the ABRS series utilizes Aerotech’s S-series slotless, brushless motor. The motor uses an advanced magnetic circuit design to produce high torque output with minimal heat generation. The slotless design is inherently zero-cogging and torque ripple-free. This makes ABRS stages ideal for applications requiring smooth scan velocities at low or high speeds.

Accurate Positioning

An optical encoder is standard with the ABRS. When coupled with Aerotech\'s feedback multipliers and controls, resolutions of <0.03 arc second are achievable.

Custom Designs


Custom versions of the ABRS are available for rate table and inertial guidance test-stand applications.