Title: Towards design optimisation of a lifting platform for a piezoworm-driven high precision positioning stage

Authors: Tarek Mohammad; Shaun Salisbury

Addresses: Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5B9, Canada ' Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5B9, Canada

Abstract: Review of literature on nanopositioning techniques reveals the scarcity of specialised vertical nanopositioning platform model and the necessity of its accurate estimation. In this paper, a design optimisation of a moving platform for a high precision positioning stage driven by a piezoworm actuator has been proposed. The design aim is to exploit maximum output force from the actuator, while maintaining a compact size. The proposed platform is mainly consisted of configurable components so as to form a rectangular rigid frame which can be moved in Z-axis with long stroke. A piezoworm actuator, made of at least three piezostacks, is housed inside the platform and holds the platform against the force of gravity at any vertical position. The range of platform motion is long and limited only by its own height, connecting it to the piezoworm motor's clamping surfaces on both sides. The platform's capability to utilise the most from the piezoworm output thrust is modelled analytically and optimised through finite element analysis. Due to its compact structure, the platform can be installed in many configurations and its top surface will allow any another device to be mounted on top for a given application.

Keywords: lifting platforms; vertical stage; optimisation; piezoworm motors; piezostacks; long stroke; design optimisation; lifting platform design; precision positioning; nanopositioning; nanotechnology; piezoworm actuators; modelling; finite element analysis; FEA.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMRS.2013.057308

International Journal of Mechanisms and Robotic Systems, 2013 Vol.1 No.4, pp.301 - 315

Received: 22 May 2012
Accepted: 13 Feb 2013
Published online: 12 Jul 2014 *

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