Patent ID: 7084533

Claim:
A dual-function, three-axis positioning system having a first horizontal translation axis (z-axis) and a rotary axis (theta-axis) parallel with the translation axis and a second horizontal translation axis (x-axis) perpendicular to the first horizontal translation axis comprising: a base plate having upper surfaces lying in a plane; parallel spaced apart linear translation stages each having parallel linear bearings with bearing surfaces mounted at a substantially equal distance from the planar surfaces of the base plate, each linear translation stage having a brushless linear motor; a first carriage supported between the parallel translation stages by the linear bearings for translation along the first horizontal translation axis; a rotation stage carried by the first carriage between the parallel translation stages, said rotation stage comprising a brushless rotary motor having a shaft journaled with an axis parallel to the linear bearings for rotation about the rotary axis, the first carriage and rotation stage having a vertical and a horizontal center of gravity; a removable or permanently fixed linear translation stage comprising a second carriage and a base mounted to the first carriage, said removable or fixed linear translation stage supported by parallel linear bearings and a brushless linear motor between the base and the second carriage for translation along the second horizontal translation axis; and each brushless linear motor connected to the first carriage being connected to the first carriage to apply translation forces in a horizontal plane intersecting said vertical center of gravity if/or when the second carriage is removed.