F-690 Highly Dynamic 6D Photonics Alignment System

NEW

System Consisting of SpaceFAB Positioner and ACS Controller

Integrated scanning/alignment routines for photonic components and fiber optics, including fiber arrays
Fast, simultaneous optimization across multiple components, I/Os, and degrees of freedom (DoF)
Parallel-kinematic 6DoF design for highest stiffness and precision, also for edge coupling applications
Designed for long service life and use in 24/7 applications, with STO safety function and integrated brakes
Freely definable center of rotation
Payload up to 2 kg

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X-690.S1 SpaceFab, dimensions in mm. Note that a comma is used in the drawings instead of a decimal point.

PI's FMPA (Fast Multi-Channel Photonics Alignment) solutions offer highly dynamic application-optimized and ready-to-use alignment mechanics, paired with sophisticated ACS controllers that run the world's most advanced and effective alignment algorithms for first light search, profiling, and performance optimization. The parallel-kinematic mechanics X-690.S1 features friction-free magnetic direct drives and maximum rigidity. Combined with the sophisticated control algorithms of the ACS controller, this mechanics provides outstanding positioning accuracy and a minimum incremental motion in the nanometer range. This is a prerequisite for use in applications with very small mode widths, such as edge coupling.

The scope of delivery of the alignment system includes a preconfigured ACS controller that controls all axes. FMPA routines for rapid area scans and gradient searches have been implemented in the controller (ACS buffer). This drastically reduces alignment times in the process sequence; and with it also the associated costs. As an ideal add-on for F-690, the ultrafast PILightning algorithm for first light search is optionally available. The system is also ideally suited for the alignment of fiber arrays.

F-690.A1: suitable holder for fibers and fiber arrays
F-690.L01: PILightning firmware feature for fast first light search

All alignment and positioning tasks requiring linear and rotational degrees of freedom, with maximum dynamics and the highest precision requirements and loads of up to 2 kg.

PIC production; alignment of fiber arrays; collimators; optical components or lenses; wafer probing in silicon photonics; testing, assembly, and packaging solutions for photonic components and fiber optics

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Datasheet

Datasheet F-690

Version / Date

2025-07-30

pdf - 2 MB

Version / Date

2025-07-30

pdf - 2 MB

Download

Axes	F-690.S1	Tolerance
Active axes	X ǀ Y ǀ Z ǀ θX ǀ θY ǀ θZ
Travel ranges of individual axes¹⁾
Travel range in X	±25 mm
Travel range in Y	±25 mm
Travel range in Z	±12.5 mm
Rotation range in θX	±7.5°
Rotation range in θY	±7.5°
Rotation range in θZ	±15°
Travel ranges of combined axes¹⁾
Travel range in X	±6.25 mm
Travel range in Y	±6.25 mm
Travel range in Z	±6.25 mm
Rotation range in θX	±2.5°
Rotation range in θY	±2.5°
Rotation range in θZ	±2.5°

Motion	F-690.S1	Tolerance
Maximum velocity in X ǀ Y ǀ Z	500 mm/s	guaranteed
Maximum acceleration²⁾ in X ǀ Y ǀ Z	5000 mm/s²	guaranteed
Maximum angular velocity¹⁾ in θX ǀ θY ǀ θZ	100°/s	guaranteed
Maximum angular acceleration^{1) 2)} in θX ǀ θY ǀ θZ	2000°/s²	guaranteed

Positioning	F-690.S1	Tolerance
Minimum incremental motion³⁾ in X ǀ Y ǀ Z	10 nm	typical
Minimum incremental motion³⁾ in θX ǀ θY ǀ θZ	2 µrad	typical
Bidirectional repeatability³⁾ in X ǀ Y	100 nm / 200 nm	typical / guaranteed
Bidirectional repeatability³⁾ in Z	150 nm / 300 nm	typical / guaranteed
Bidirectional repeatability³⁾ in θX ǀ θY ǀ θZ	4 µrad / 10 µrad	typical / guaranteed
Orthogonality in X ǀ Y	±50 µrad	calibrated
Integrated sensor	Absolute linear encoder
Sensor signal	BiSS-C
Sensor resolution	1 nm

Drive properties	F-690.806023B	Tolerance
Drive type	Ironless 3-phase linear motor
Intermediate circuit voltage	48 V DC

Mechanical properties	F-690.806023B	Tolerance
Maximum load capacity, base plate horizontal¹⁾	2 kg	guaranteed
Guide	Crossed roller bearing
Holding brake	Electropneumatic
Material	Aluminum, black anodized; stainless steel
Overall mass	40 kg

Miscellaneous	F-690.806023B
Operating temperature range	+5 to +40 °C
Motor connector	HD D-sub 26 (m)
Encoder connector	HD D-sub 26 (m)
Pneumatic connector	Connector for tubing with Ø 6 mm
Operating pressure (holding brake)	550 to 650 kPa
Air quality	DIN ISO 8573-1 [4:4:4]

Alignment	F-690.S1	Tolerance
Scanning time of spiraled area scan 500 µm Ø⁴⁾	2 / 1.6 (at a constant frequency of 20 Hz)	max./ min.
Scanning time of spiraled area scan 100 µm Ø⁴⁾	0.3 / 0.26	max./ min.
Scanning time of spiraled area scan 10 µm Ø⁴⁾	0.3 / 0.26	max./ min.
Signal optimization with gradient search⁵⁾, randomized with ±5 µm (repeatability < 0.01 dB) / ±10 µm (repeatability < 0.004 dB)	0.3 / 0.5	max./ min.

Requirements for the optical power meter used
Output signal	Analog output, ideally converted from linear to logarithmic
Output voltage range, max.	-5 to 5 V
Bandwidth, min.	1 kHz
Noise level, max.	-60 dBm

¹⁾ specified values depend on center of rotation

²⁾ specified values depend on payload

³⁾ according to "This is how PI Does Measuring - Part II"

⁴⁾ typical time span for scanning the entire area and moving to the highest intensity

⁵⁾ reaching the global maximum after first light search has been successfully completed

At PI, technical data is specified at 22 ±3 °C. Unless otherwise stated, the values are for unloaded conditions. Some properties are interdependent. The designation "typ." indicates a statistical average for a property; it does not indicate a guaranteed value for every product supplied. During the final inspection of a product, only selected properties are analyzed, not all. Please note that some product characteristics may deteriorate with increasing operating time.

Download datasheet downloads quote / order

Datasheet

Datasheet F-690

Version / Date

2025-07-30

pdf - 2 MB

Version / Date

2025-07-30

pdf - 2 MB

Download

3D Models

X-690.S1 3D Model

Version / Date

2025-07-30

zip - 20 MB

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Ask for a free quote on quantities required, prices, and lead times or describe your desired modification.

F-690.S1 NEW!

Photonics alignment system consisting of X-690 6-axis positioner and G-901 controller; firmware routines for ultrafast alignment of optical fibers and photonic components

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F-690.A1 NEW!

Holder for optical fibers and fiber arrays; suitable for F-690 photonics alignment system

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F-690.L01 NEW!

Firmware feature for F-690 alignment system; fast first light search; for both surface and edge coupling

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