Patent ID: 6408526
Filing Date: 2002-06-25
Classification: B23Q

Abstract:
An apparatus for ultra-precision positioning, comprising:a slide base; a slide plate coupled to the slide base so as to allow movement of the slide plate along a first geometric axis; a ball-screw, having a center-line, coupled between the slide base and the slide plate, for displacing the slide plate with respect to the slide base along the first geometric axis; a linking device, coupled to the slide plate, for directing a primary force vector into the center-line of the ball-screw; wherein the linking device comprises a first link, coupled to the slide plate at a first location for directing a first portion of the primary force vector to an apex point, located along the center-line of the ball-screw; a second link, coupled to the slide plate at a second location for directing a second portion of the primary force vector to the apex point; wherein each of the links include a link body having a first end and a second end; a first self-aligning bearing coupled to the first end of the link body; and a second self-aligning bearing coupling the second end of the link body to the slide plate.