The AXYT from Sioux Technologies
Sioux brings high-tech to life. It does so not only within client projects, but also autonomously. For example, it developed the AXYT; a high speed, high accuracy planar stepping stage. Ronald Plak, System Architect at Sioux: ‘The prototype is ready and with this we show that Sioux is in the forefront in the field of fast and accurate positioning and the associated system knowledge.’
Moore's Law states that the number of transistors in a chip doubles every two years. This prediction from 1965 still appears to be reasonably true in 2024. Ever smaller, lighter, faster and more energy-efficient products are being realized thanks to the ongoing trend of miniaturization of components in integrated circuits. However, this has consequences for production processes, especially in terms of speed and accuracy. More products have to be assembled, inspected and machined very precisely in the same time, also from a cost perspective. Here, the point is reached where the positioning accuracy required exceeds the positioning errors already present on the component carriers.
No equal
‘Material deposition is one of the critical actions when realizing a product consisting of a carrier - e.g. a PCB or flex foil - and electrical components’, says Plak. 'To do this even more precisely and faster, the product carrier must also be able to be positioned more precisely and faster. We solve this problem with our Accelerated XY Table, or AXYT. A second trend in material deposition concerns the increase in operations such as conductive contact deposition and conductive trace printing. Moreover, material deposition is not limited to printed electronics. In the medical sector, for instance, research into various applications is also in full swing, including bio-sensors and lab-on-a-chip. In this area, too, our planar stepping stage is groundbreaking. There is no equal in the market.'
Impressive accelerations
Sioux's AXYT positions a product table up to 100 times per second, performing position corrections in an XY plane. This is made possible by very accurate feed forward (>99%), a high control bandwidth (>200 Hz) and smart control strategies. In the process, impressive accelerations (4G) are achieved in both directions with sub-micrometre precision. As a result, the process module above the product table does not have to make high-dynamic movements, only slower lateral steps per machining area. This results in higher production speed, more accuracy and lower costs.
Enormous power
Plak: ‘To make all this possible, we gathered and exchanged a lot of knowledge from all our competences. That is not only really fun and rewarding, but also an enormous strength of our company. For instance, previous experience regarding design rules for maximizing performance has been applied in the design of the AXYT. Examples include direct drive with linear motors, lightweight and rigid construction, eliminating friction by using air bearings and direct position measurement of the product table at the process location. In short, many architectural choices and design details were balanced for an optimal result. This required input from all disciplines within Sioux - mechanics, electronics, mechatronics, optics, physics, software, mathware and realisation & testing.’
Market launch
Where does Sioux currently stand with the development of the AXYT? Plak says that the prototype is ready and is now being further optimized by developing smart calibration strategies. So, the step from an innovative idea to proven concept - both in terms of working principle and performance - has been made. The product table is ready for market launch. However, a positioning table on its own is not yet a total customer solution. Sioux therefore continues at system level. The next task that will be tackled on its own is the addition of an optical module and smart software with which positions and the required corrections can be determined quickly and accurately. This step should be completed by April 2025.
Specific customer applications
Plak: ‘With the proto of the AXYT, we demonstrate that Sioux is one of the top companies worldwide in the field of fast and accurate positioning and has the corresponding system knowledge in-house. With this, we can now start working towards applications in the semicon, analytical and medical industries. This has also been taken into account in the design. We can adapt this as required - in terms of size and length of working area, among other things - and expand it for optimal results at system level. We therefore expect a lot from this development. After all, it will enable our customers to make faster, better products with a higher yield and at a lower cost. In doing so, we also hope to inspire them to come up with new applications where we can provide them with multidisciplinary support in realization.'
