Minibot™ Series
The proliferation of life science and medical instruments has driven demand for lower cost, miniature motion platforms. Instrument manufacturers are forced to design their own motion platforms because existing packaged actuators are either too expensive, too heavy, or too large.
The Precision Alliance’s Minibot plat form is the answer to this need. The Minibot’s “minimalist” design delivers everything needed in a positioning system without the burden of unwanted costs. The Minibot is able to delivery performance and compactness at a price point you can afford to design into your machine
Everything you need in a motion platform and nothing else
The Minibot is a family of actuators built around industry standard linear guides and motor frame sizes. Each has travel selectable by the millimeter meaning you get exactly the travel needed without any extra length. Within each Minibot size there are options for various motor lengths, integrated controller/drives, various limit sensors depending on the controller type, and a variety of leadscrews and ballscrews for the speed and precision optimal for the application.
In addition to the many standard options, Minibots are easily assembled into multi‐axis XY and XYZ systems or customized other ways. Customization may look like special carriage feature or the integration of payload features into the carriage, special motor windings, encoder feedback, stainless steel materials, etc.
Anatomy of a Minibot™ Positioner
Optional Integrated Controller/Drive – The Integrated controller drive reduces wiring and is ready to run out of the box.
2 Phase, Bipolar Step Motor – Included as standard and performance matched to the system.
Zero Backlash Shaft Coupling – Included and pre‐installed to ensure reliable, precision torque transmission
Payload Carriage – Has 6x threaded holes for payload mounting and a keying feature for payload alignment. Also, enables direct XY mounting.
Ballscrew or Leadscrew Drive – Precision rolled or ground threads ensure accurate and repeatable movement. Available in a variety of leads and precision grades.
Screw Support Bearing Set – Integrated into the motor mount for precision movement of the payload
Precision Linear Guide Bearing – High capacity, compact linear guides with long live and excellent stiffness. The integral self lube system is maintenance free and end and bottom wipers keep contamination out.
Sensor Flags – Adjustable for fine tuning of home and limit positions
Industrial Optical Slot Sensors – 5 to 24VDC input for direct connection to a wide variety of motion controllers or PLCs.
Available OEM Optical Slot Sensors – Lower cost, open collector transistor output sensor Ideal for OEMs that build their own control boards.
Minibot™ Series Dimensions
Multi-axis Systems
The Minibot™ Family is designed from the start for multi‐axis configurations. Both the MB11 and MB17 directly mate with another actuator of the same frame size (MB11 to MB11 or MB17 to MB17). Each carriage includes a recessed slot and threaded holes for alignment and attachment.
The XY configuration can place the Y‐axis motor at 3 o’clock or 9 o’clock and center the Y‐axis travel about the X‐Axis or cantilever it fully to one side. A simple XY Option Code added to the part number denotes how the axes mount together.
Z‐axis brackets for XZ and XYZ configurations are also available.
Payload Alignment Slot – Controls orthogonality of the Y‐Axis or payload. The slot is 1mm deep and 14mm (MB11) or 24mm (MB17) wide.
Payload Mounting Holes – Threaded holes are placed in the 4 corners of the carriage and in the alignment slot.
Special Modifications – OEM
Especially for OEMs, sometimes the catalog product is not exactly what is needed due to space, environmental, or other reasons; and getting it exactly the way you need it is critical for optimizing cost, and minimizing time to market. In these instances, TPA is here to help. For OEMs with special requirements, we can modify our standard Minibot™ design or even design a completely new product to precisely fit your application.
Download our catalogue for more technical information and examples of our custom modifications. If you can not find what you need, lest us know by filling in the form below.
Check our Minibot™ Series in the online shop
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MiniBot MB11
$779.35 – $930.60 -
MiniBot MB17
$889.35 – $1,101.10
