X-Y tables, also known as cross working tables or coordinate tables, help provide horizontal motion for automated machinery such as assembly robots in manufacturing facilities. Robotic arms and other automated machinery have only a limited

range of motion Range of motion (or ROM) is the linear or angular distance that a moving object may normally travel while properly attached to another. In biomechanics and strength training, ROM refers to the angular distance and direction a joint can move be ...

while their bases remain stationary; X-Y tables allow this basis to move horizontally along X and Y axis. Also known as XY stages, XY tables are motorized linear slides with linear motion based in bearings which are driven by a drive mechanism, typically a

linear motor A linear motor is an electric motor that has had its stator and rotor (electric), rotor "unrolled", thus, instead of producing a torque (rotation), it produces a linear force along its length. However, linear motors are not necessarily straight. ...

. XY tables are built and configured to provide high-performance positioning along multiple axes.

Applications

Serving industries including general machinery, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and semiconductor, XY tables offer precision-controlled automated movement. XY tables are broadly used in mechanical processes and applications including material handling,

industrial automation Automation describes a wide range of technologies that reduce human intervention in processes, mainly by predetermining decision criteria, subprocess relationships, and related actions, as well as embodying those predeterminations in machine ...

equipment, machinery building and automated measurement.

Construction

XY tables are flat surfaces mounted on

ball bearing A ball bearing is a type of rolling-element bearing that uses balls to maintain the separation between the bearing races. The purpose of a ball bearing is to reduce rotational friction and support radial and axial loads. It achieves this ...

slides or roller slides with multiple linear bases and are composed of forcers and platens.Frederick, Julian Ross, and Brian H. Anderson, Ronald C. Fairchild. ''Improved Ultrasonic Nondestructive Testing of Pressure Vessels: Annual Progress Report''. August 1, 1975 - July 31, 1976, Volume 88. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research, Division of Reactor Safety Research, 1977. 7. The forcer glides over the platen on frictionless

air bearings Air bearings (also known as aerostatic or aerodynamic bearings) are bearings that use a thin film of pressurized gas to provide a low friction load-bearing interface between surfaces. The two surfaces do not touch, thus avoiding the problems of ...

and moves continuously in a linear motion across the platen. To create multiple axis, linear bases are often stacked on top of one another, with the top "Y" axis acting both as a carriage to the bottom base and as the base which holds the table. Adjustable gibs can be attached on both axis. These types of XY tables, used frequently for the movement of robotic, are often called "positioning tables". Materials used to construct XY tables include

stainless steel Stainless steel, also known as inox, corrosion-resistant steel (CRES), or rustless steel, is an iron-based alloy that contains chromium, making it resistant to rust and corrosion. Stainless steel's resistance to corrosion comes from its chromi ...

and

cast iron Cast iron is a class of iron–carbon alloys with a carbon content of more than 2% and silicon content around 1–3%. Its usefulness derives from its relatively low melting temperature. The alloying elements determine the form in which its car ...

as well as bronze for bearings and aluminum for frames.

Types

Variations among XY tables include the ways and the drive mechanism. The ways determine load capacity, straight-line accuracy, and stiffness, or durability, while the drive mechanisms determine smoothness and speed. In general, XY tables require very little maintenance, and are considered to be highly accurate, easy-to-use and lightweight. However, depending on the weight of the load, ball bearings within XY ball bearing tables and slides can acquire a significant amount of wear and may need to be replaced regularly.

Gallery

CNC-Kreuztisch.jpg, X-Y table for a CNC

milling machine Milling is the process of machining using rotary cutters to remove material by advancing a cutter into a workpiece. This may be done by varying directions on one or several axes, cutter head speed, and pressure. Milling covers a wide variety of ...

. Kreuztisch.jpg, Precision XY table for a

microscope A microscope () is a laboratory equipment, laboratory instrument used to examine objects that are too small to be seen by the naked eye. Microscopy is the science of investigating small objects and structures using a microscope. Microscopic ...

. Moore Jig Grinder.jpg, A manual grinding machine with a crank controlled X-Y table.

References

{{Reflist Machine tools Microscope components

Applications

Construction

Types

Gallery

See also

References