Del-Tron Precision, Inc. has announced that a new side drive feature is now available on its entire line of micrometer driven ball and crossed roller positioning stages that reduces their length by 1 to 2.25 inches. With the micrometer head mounted to the side of the stage the overall length of each axis is greatly reduced, allowing these products to be used in limited space applications. For example the length of the series 101x positioner is reduced by 1 inch to 2.25” when using the side drive feature, which is available in one, two, or three axis configurations. The new “SD” series of side drive stages are interchangeable with those of other manufacturers, in some cases, and all offer Del-Tron’s optional “Posi-Lock” carriage locking mechanism to lock in the position of the stages after locating the correct position.

Del-Tron positioning stages are configured with one, two or three axes of motion and spring loaded against a micrometer head. The devices will smoothly translate to a position that can be measured and then locked into position as the operation commences. Changes in part size or length can be easily accomplished by manipulating the measuring head. The spring-loaded micrometer drive allows precise repeatable adjustments with low friction and zero backlash. The positioner provides accuracy to 0.0005 inch of travel and repeatability of 0.0001 inch. Over 60 models, support load capacities to 160 lb.

Positioning stages are available with either ball bearing or crossed roller rolling elements. The ball bearing type typically uses a set of four hardened and ground shafts that surround the balls at four points. This design offers the advantage of being self-cleaning because contaminants are not able to get between the balls and shafts due to the point contact and tend to be pushed away as the bearing operates. Crossed rollers, alternately crisscrossed with each other, are used with the arched or v-grooved rail system or move between a set of four, partially flat, parallel smooth rods surrounding the rollers. The rollers are specially configured to have a diameter greater than their length, allowing them to lie at 45 degrees to each other without interfering and offering the same load capacity in any direction or orientation. The rollers have line contact with the way surface as compared to the point contact of balls. This bearing design allows crossed roller slides to carry larger loads and absorb greater impacts.

Our full line includes the subminiature series with the smallest commercially available positioner, the standard series, ideal for most gauging and positioning applications, and our heavy duty series providing high load capacities with the same high accuracy and repeatability. Positioning slides can be stacked for multi-axis applications. Standard stacked units are available in XY and XYZ configurations. Preloaded positioning slides, fully assembled, arrive ready for your use in two to three weeks after the order is placed.