Patent ID: 7344017

Claim:
A three axis drive apparatus for driving a driven member in first, second and third directions perpendicular to each other, comprising: a base comprising a first support portion fixed thereon; a first guide mechanism comprising: a first guide member supported by the first support portion; and a first slider guided by the first guide member in the first direction; a second guide mechanism comprising: a second guide member extending in the second direction from the first slider; and a second slider guided by the second guide member in the second direction; a third guide mechanism that is provided on the second slider and guides the driven member to the third direction; a first belt drive mechanism comprising: a first slider drive transmission belt that slides the first slider; and a first motor that drives the first slider drive transmission belt through a plurality of first pulleys; a second belt drive mechanism comprising: a second slider drive transmission belt that slides the second slider; and a second motor that drives the second slider drive transmission belt through a plurality of second pulleys; and a driven member drive mechanism comprising: at least one of driven member drive transmission belt that slides the driven member; and a third motor that drives the driven member in the third direction through a plurality of driven member pulleys, wherein the first pulleys, at least one of the second pulleys, at least one of the driven member pulleys, the first motor, the second motor and the third motor are fixed on the first support portion.