Designed for research labs, photonics, and aerospace applications, these drives make high-performance multi-axis coordination more accessible than ever, without the complexity or cost traditionally tied to advanced motion systems.
Aerotech has introduced a new generation of motion-control drives designed to make precision hexapod operation easier and more affordable for advanced automation systems. The Automation1-HXA4 and Automation1-iHXA4 drives integrate seamlessly with the company’s Automation1 motion control platform, treating the hexapod like any other axis in a multi-axis system,an approach that could simplify complex motion setups across research, manufacturing, and testing environments.
The key features are:
- Compact, space-saving hexapod drive design
- Integrated control with Automation1 platform
- Fiber-optic HyperWire for fast communication
- Safe Torque Off (STO) and Position-Synchronized Output (PSO)
- Simplified two-connector setup with built-in I/O
- Full controller-and-drive combo (HXA4) for easy deployment
Engineered for compactness and performance, the drives enable high-speed, six-axis motion with reduced wiring and configuration demands. Each unit minimizes panel space and connectivity requirements, only two connectors per hexapod while offering built-in analog and digital I/O to reduce system complexity. This makes them particularly suited for space-constrained or modular setups common in photonics, semiconductor, and aerospace applications.
Both models leverage the company’s HyperWire fiber-optic communication bus to deliver real-time, low-latency control. The Automation1-HXA4 version combines a motion controller and drive in one unit, while the iHXA4 integrates into existing Automation1 networks for flexible scalability. Built-in safety and performance features, including Safe Torque Off (STO) and Position-Synchronized Output (PSO), ensure precision and protection during high-speed motion operations.
By abstracting the complexity of hexapod kinematics into an intuitive, networked control system, Aerotech’s new drives aim to close the gap between high-end performance and accessibility. Users can now coordinate multi-axis motion from linear to rotary to six-degree-of-freedom hexapods under a unified platform with consistent programming and diagnostics tools.
Targeted toward precision applications, the drives are expected to find use in optical inspection and alignment, photonic device packaging, optical wafer probing, and aerospace or satellite component testing. Researchers in beamline facilities and electro-optics labs can also benefit from the improved synchronization and stability the system provides.
