The Research, Design and
Fabrication of a Friction Based
Precision Optical Positioner
Burton Bruce P.E.
Design Goals
• The goal was to design as precision optical platform that would have:
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Several hundred μm range in the X-Y plane,
Stability when subjected to normal laboratory conditions,
Around μm resolution,
Have a small package size compared to what is commercially available.
Be independent of orientation with respect to the gravitational field.
• In addition several other factors arose in the design process. These factors
became prominent when I determined to make a prototype for
demonstration in class and at work. These factors were:
– Simplicity of design
– Machinability
• Since I needed to make a prototype I needed to keep the materials common and easy to
machine with the facilities that were available.
– Low parts count
– The ability to modify the design easily for different experimental
requirements.
Cut away of full device
Precision Optical Positioner