Thermic Edge has developed a comprehensive range of standard linear manipulators and rotary feedthroughs designed to meet most sample heater stage requirements, providing a cost-effective solution for a variety of applications. These components support sample rotation, heater rotation, sample transfer and precise positioning of samples or heaters relative to the source.
We can incorporate customers' existing motors and preferred temperature controllers where required. Stages can be operated manually or integrated into a system's PLC control, providing flexibility for both standalone applications and automated processing environments.
Our Standard Linear Manipulator is fabricated from a pair of Conflat flanges connected by edge-welded bellows. Aluminium yokes provide strength and stability while keeping the assembly lightweight. Unlike many conventional designs, our manipulator incorporates two guide bars positioned on either side of the bellows assembly. This arrangement reduces bending movement on the travelling flange yoke and minimises twisting stress on the lead screw when a load is applied.
The resulting design allows the travelling flange to move towards the fixed flange in a controlled and precise manner, maintaining parallelism between the two flanges while reducing wear on the lead screw. This provides stable and reliable linear movement for demanding vacuum and deposition applications.
All manually operated Standard Linear Manipulators are fitted with a metric/imperial digital linear scale offering 100 µm resolution. The design also incorporates mounting provisions for digital encoders or limit switches, which can be supplied upon request. High-quality stainless steel linear bearings, combined with low-friction Igus® guides, ensure smooth operation and contribute to a longer service life.
Where conventional Z-shift arrangements cannot be accommodated, Thermic Edge can construct the Z-shift mechanism directly from the stage flange. This alternative arrangement incorporates three guide bars, creating a self-supporting structure that does not rely on the lead screw for rigidity, resistance to deflection or rotational stability.
The large travelling platform can accommodate a single bellows assembly with an internal through-bore diameter of up to 93.0 mm, or multiple DN16 35/40CF bellows, with a maximum of three, for different feedthrough arrangements.
Linear manipulators of this design can be equipped with a variety of positional encoders and scales upon request. Available configurations include mounting flanges ranging from DN2022 350CF Conflat to ISO200 400K/F ISO clamped or bolted connections, with standard stroke lengths of 50, 100 or 250 mm.
For applications requiring more specialised arrangements, our in-house design and engineering team can accommodate larger flange sizes, increased stroke lengths of up to 1000 mm, top flange X-axis alignment and tilting configurations. These options allow the manipulator assembly to be adapted to the specific requirements of the system.
Thermic Edge Linear Manipulators and Rotary Feedthroughs provide a versatile range of movement and positioning options for vacuum processing and sample heater stage applications. Standard configurations can be adapted to accommodate specific chamber layouts, operational requirements and control systems.
Thermic Edge Rotary Linear Feedthroughs combine rotary and linear movement within a single assembly. Each feedthrough incorporates a central shaft sealed with Viton® seals, supported by Igus® bearings and enclosed within a robust stainless steel flanged housing.
The profile of the Viton® seals provides a secure vacuum seal during both rotary and linear movement while requiring minimal compression. This arrangement offers a versatile and reliable solution for applications where rotational and axial movement are required within a vacuum environment.
Our Rotary Linear Feedthroughs can be configured with a range of manual and automated actuation options to suit the requirements of the application. Available configurations include:
Linear manipulators and rotary feedthroughs are used for sample rotation, heater rotation, sample transfer and precise positioning of samples or heaters relative to a source. They are commonly incorporated into sample heater stages and deposition systems where controlled movement within a vacuum environment is required.
Yes. Thermic Edge stages can be operated manually using a handwheel or configured for motor-driven operation. Motorised configurations can also be integrated into a system's PLC control, allowing movement and positioning to be incorporated into automated processes.
Yes. Thermic Edge can incorporate customers' existing motors and preferred temperature controllers where required. This provides flexibility when integrating a linear manipulator or rotary feedthrough into an existing system or developing a new installation with specific control requirements.
Standard linear shifts are available with travel up to 250 mm (10"), with standard stroke lengths of 50, 100 or 250 mm. For applications requiring greater movement, Thermic Edge can provide increased stroke lengths of up to 1000 mm upon request, subject to the requirements of the manipulator design.
Thermic Edge offers cost-effective Viton®-sealed rotary feedthroughs for high-vacuum applications, alongside magnetic and ferrofluidic rotary feedthroughs for ultra-high vacuum (UHV) systems. The appropriate feedthrough type depends on the required vacuum environment, movement and operating conditions.
Rotary Linear Feedthroughs can be configured with manual handles or knobs, pneumatic rotary actuators, stepper or servo motors for rotation, and pneumatic, motorised or solenoid actuators for linear movement. This allows the assembly to accommodate different manual and automated operating requirements.
Yes. Thermic Edge can provide customised linear manipulator and rotary feedthrough solutions, including larger flange sizes, extended stroke lengths, top flange X-axis alignment and tilting configurations. Our in-house design and engineering team can develop arrangements suited to individual chamber layouts and application requirements.
Useful information includes the required movement type, travel length, flange size, vacuum environment, manual or motor-driven operation, rotary feedthrough type, control requirements, cooling requirements and any sample transfer or positioning needs. For further information, please visit our contact page or email sales@thermic-edge.com.
Thermic Edge have developed a full range of standard linear manipulators and rotary feedthroughs which can be used to fulfil most sample heater stage requirements, making for a cost-effective solution. They can be used for sample rotation, heater rotation, sample transfer and sample / heater to source positioning.
We will happily incorporate our customers’ motors and preferred temperature controllers if required. The stage can be run manually, or it can easily be integrated into the systems’ PLC control.
Our Standard Linear Manipulator is fabricated from a pair of Conflat flanges, connected by edge welded bellows. Aluminium yolks offer strength and stability whilst keeping the assembly lightweight. It’s design, unlike many others, includes two guide bars which straddle the bellows assembly. This reduces the bending motion on the travelling flange yolk and alleviates the twisting stress on the lead screw when load is applied, allowing for the travelling flange to move towards the fixed flange in a controlled, precise motion as well as maintaining parallelism between the two flanges and minimal wear on the lead screw.
All manual Standard Linear Manipulators are installed with a metric/imperial digital linear scale with 100 µm resolution. The design includes mounts for either digital encoders or limit switches which can be added upon request.
The use of high-quality stainless-steel linear bearings (low friction coefficients) and Igus® guides ensure the smoothest operation coupled with a longer life span.
Where standard Z-shifts cannot be used, Thermic Edge can build the Z-shift odd the stage flange, as shown to the right. This design includes three guide bars, which make it self-supportive and therefore do not rely on the lead screw for rigidity (anti-deflection/rotation).
This large travelling platform design can accommodate a single bellows size up to ø93.0mm (internal, through bore) or multiple DN16-35/40CF bellows (3x max) for varying feedthroughs.
Linear manipulators of this style can be fitted with varying positional encoders and scales upon request. They can be configured with mounting flanges ranging from DN2022-350CF (Conflat) or ISO200-400K/F (ISO clamped/bolted) and standard strokes of either 50,100 or 250mm.
Upon request, our in-house design and engineering team can accommodate larger flange sizes and/or increased stroke lengths (up to 1000mm) as well as top flange X-alignment and tilting configurations, to suit your individual requirements.
Our Rotary / Linear feedthroughs comprise a central shaft sealed with Viton® seals, supported with Igus® bearings and encompassed in a robust stainless-steel flanged housing.
The profile of the Viton seals ensures a secure vacuum for both rotary and linear movement is formed with minimal compression, making them both highly versatile and reliable.
All feedthroughs can be configured with the following;
