This section provides an overview for dual-axis positioning stages as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 15 dual-axis positioning stage manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked dual-axis positioning stage companies as of November, 2024: 1.PI (Physik Instrumente) L.P., 2.Optics Focus, 3.ALIO Industries, LLC.
Table of Contents
Categories Related to Dual-Axis Positioning Stages
The equipment configuration generally consists of stages in each axis direction stacked on top of each other. A dual-axis positioning stage (XY-axis stage) has two axes: an X-axis for left/right movement and a Y-axis for vertical movement. The use of this stage has the advantage of facilitating positioning.
The accuracy and features vary depending on the stage guide system and feed mechanism, so selecting a stage that best suits the application is necessary.
The main applications of 2-axis stages are for manufacturing semiconductor devices and microscopic observation, which require positioning. There are various types of stages with positioning accuracy ranging from low precision to high precision depending on the guide system and feed mechanism, and they have different features.
Dual-axis positioning stages are composed of a "guide mechanism" and a "feed mechanism. Since the characteristics of each mechanism differ depending on its type, the following is a description of typical kinds of stages.
Select the combination that best suits your application and configure Dual-Axis positioning stages from the above guide and feed mechanism choices.
The operation of Dual-Axis positioning stages is not limited to manual positioning; it may also be used as Dual-Axis positioning stages capable of automatic positioning, with each axis driven by a motor. In this case, since positioning accuracy is determined by the feed mechanism type and the drive motor's resolution, the selection of motor specifications is also essential.
Generally, servo motors or stepping motors are used when precise positioning is required.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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NBK America LLC, founded in 2015 and based in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, is an American manufacturer and a subsidiary of Japan's Nabeya Bi-tech Kaisha, specializing in mechanical components. Their product range includes couplings, like miniature shaft couplings for precision machine tools and semiconductor manufacturing equipment, special screws, such as vacuum application screws and other machine components. NBK offers finite automaton (FA) solutions, including wireless positioning units for production lines and setup operations. NBK provides machine component servicing, such as vibration resistance treatment and laser engraving. Services for couplings and special screws include coupling stainless steel screw alteration and screw length adjustment.
ALIO Industries, LLC is a manufacturer of ultra-precise motion control solutions that was established in 2001 and is headquartered in Arvada, Colorado, USA. The company is involved in the designing and manufacturing of multiple system products such as Rotary Motion Systems, Linear Motion Systems, Micron 2 (µII) Motion Systems, and Z-Lift and Vertical Motion Stages. Its products are used by various industries,including laser processing, semiconductor manufacturing, and life sciences. The company also offers other services, including engineering, and testing.
Physik Instrumente aka PI, founded 50 years ago, is a private company that creates and produces automation systems, including hexapods, air bearings, and piezo drives that are used in life-sciences, photonics, and aerospace industries and research institutes. Their products are manufactured in North America, Europe, and Asia. Physik Instrumente is ITAR registered. The company's head office is located in Auburn, America. And its manufacturing and other facilities are located in New England.
Optimal Engineering Systems, Inc. (OES) was established in 1985 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California. The company is a manufacturer of motion control products for OEMs and other customers across industries ranging from aerospace, astronomy, manufacturing, medical, and semiconductors. The company provides in-house components manufacturing with a wide variety of components available off the shelf and the ability to custom-build sub-assemblies for customers worldwide. The company’s product lines include motor control systems, motorized stages, and solenoid control electronics.
Artisan Technology Group is a supplier of Measuring & Test Equipment based in Illinois. The company provides parts and components for various businesses such as semiconductors for manufacturing sectors, instruments, incubators, microscopes, and more for Lab and Analytic departments, there are also communication products and electrical testers, analyzers, and furthermore there are drives, control systems for PLC and Motors with other products related to ARINC, VME, and VXI. Overall there is a vast inventory of equipment that serves the industrial, commercial, and military systems.
CHUO PRECISION INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD. (Chuo Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha), founded in 1955, is a Japanese manufacturer and supplier headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, specializing in precise positioning units as well as optical machines and equipment. The company’s portfolio includes automatic and motorized stages and actuators, manual mechanical stages, stage accessories, and controllers. Automatic stage applications include sample table of laser repair and mapping systems, whereas manual stage applications encompass camera position adjustment for glass substrate and/or film inspection systems and prober position adjustment. Further offerings include microscopes and tool scopes, automation products for microscopes, as well as optical accessories, components, and instruments.
THK Co., Ltd. was incorporated in 1946 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. THK is a manufacturer and supplier of machine components such as linear motion components for customers globally. THK’s products are used in many industries including electronics, aerospace, industrial robots, and precision instruments. THK’s primary product categories are Linear Motion, Feed Screw, Rotation, Custom Assemblies, and Seismic Isolation. Linear Motion products assist in linear motion and transportation. They include linear motion actuators, guides, and rollers. Feed screws include ball screws, screw nuts, and change nuts. Seismic Isolation includes both large systems and small guides.
Tokyo Seimitsu Co. Ltd., established in 1949 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer of semiconductor production equipment and precision measuring instruments. Its product portfolio includes optical measuring instruments, probing machines, polish grinders, X-ray CT systems, and coordinate measuring machines. In 1952, the company developed Japan’s first high-pressure flow-type air micrometer, and in 1958, it created the world’s first germanium pellet automatic thickness sorting machine. It also developed Japan’s first coordinate measuring machine in 1969, followed by Japan’s first wafer-dicing machine in 1970. The company is the industry’s only semiconductor equipment manufacturer with measurement technology.
Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. (SHI) was established in 1888. SHI offers complete solutions for industrial machinery production and operations, heavy machinery for infrastructure, logistics, and construction, power generation systems as well as systems to reduce pollution, water purification, and ship construction. In addition, SHI also offers various software services including IT solutions.
NSK Ltd., based in Japan, is a manufacturer of precision bearings and motion control solutions which started its journey in 1916. The company has established itself as a major supplier for multiple industries, including automotive, industrial machinery, and aerospace. Their extensive product portfolio encompasses ball bearings, roller bearings, and linear motion components. Their Motion & Control products and technologies support the motion that brings comfort and convenience in cars, planes, wind turbines, satellites, and almost anything with moving parts.
Optics Focus, founded in Beijing, China, is manufacturer of optic mechanics, Photoelectric Instruments and Motorized Positioning Stages. The company’s product portfolio includes laser optics such as laser diode modules, laser beam expanders, and laser mirrors, optoelectronic devices, Optical Filters, and Prisms and Mirrors. Their products are used for laser cutting, medical devices, and research applications. They serve markets such as Telecommunications and Networking, Medical and Healthcare, Industrial Automation, Consumer Electronics and Environmental Monitoring. The company also offers customer services that include technical support, training and customized services.
Sinto V-Cerax Ltd., established in 1965 with headquarters in Toyokawa City, Japan, is a manufacturer of structural ceramics and polishing agents. The company's asphalt product line includes alumina ceramic material plates and blocks, slip castings using Sinto’s original immersion V-process, such as those requiring micron-order precision and mirror-like finishes, alumina balls used for high-purity pulverization, dispersion, and mixing of various powders, and a range of blasting abrasive materials used for surface finishing and polishing finished products. The company serves industries including automotive, aerospace, electronics, medical, and shipbuilding.
igus GmbH, established in 1964 and based in Cologne, Germany, is a manufacturer and distributor of technical products made using polymers for movement. Its products include injection molding frames, motor control systems, and plain bearings, and it has over 240,000 products in over 1,000,000 variations. It serves 188,000 companies from over 80 countries worldwide in 50 different industries, including packaging, automotive, and renewable energy. The company is ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 50001 certified, and in 2023, it recorded €1.115 billion in sales. Since 2021, the company has purchased 380 new injection-molding machines and has replaced 275 old ones.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | PI (Physik Instrumente) L.P. |
18.8%
|
2 | Optics Focus |
6.3%
|
3 | ALIO Industries, LLC |
6.3%
|
4 | Reid Supply |
6.3%
|
5 | Optimal Engineering Systems, Inc. |
6.3%
|
6 | SINTO V-CERAX, LTD. |
6.3%
|
7 | NBK America LLC |
6.3%
|
8 | MIRUC OPTICAL CO.,LTD. |
6.3%
|
9 | NSK Ltd. |
6.3%
|
10 | igus GmbH |
6.3%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the dual-axis positioning stage page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 6 | 50.0% |
Japan | 5 | 41.7% |
China | 1 | 8.3% |
5 products are listed.
Sato Corporation
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Fine adjustment of observations is possible when observing with a microscope ■ Characteristics ・ Used in combination with microscope ・ By turnin...
ORIM VEXTA
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We will release a two-axis (X-Y-Z) unit (X-Y-Z) unit that supports the "time saving" of the design and assembly person. We will ship with a ball sc...
Sato Corporation
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Compatible with MJ-MS / Dino Lite series. Equipped with LED, you can move the stage ■ Compatible with the MJ-MS series / Dino Lite series Compatib...