3D-Printed Linear Positioner with Micrometer Accuracy

Abstract

This article presents a positioner, whose flexure main body is made by a commercial 3D printer. Using this method, manufacturing a positioner can be cost efficient and much easier to customize. Integrating a laser displacement sensor, an electromagnetic actuator, and a feedback controller, this positioning system has 100 micron translational stroke with 1 micron resolution. Experiments also demonstrate sinusoidal motions at different frequencies. Using the method developed by this article, micro-positioners with customized specifications can be implemented rapidly, iteratively, and cost-effectively.