Design and characterization of a standalone multi-linear-axis unit for OptoMechaTronic testers

This thesis concerns the study and design of a Cartesian XY Stage with one moving head, to be inserted as an actuation module of a machine for optical and electrical tests and to be also a standalone unit. This paper focuses on two parts: the first concerns the Stage from the mechanical point of view, called XYS100; the second concerns the motion control electronics box from an electrical and hardware point of view, called XYC100. So the challenge and the aim is to obtain an autonomous, versatile and a modular Cartesian module. To make the Stage standalone, a particular system design is carried out, in order to guarantee all the necessary functionalities. To make the module versatile, the moving head is designed as a plate, in which It is possible to screw several interchangeable tools for different types of tests. As regards modularity, a box for electronics and drives is designed, to add or replace devices according to application needs. It is designed as a push & play architecture, capable of being transportable and connecting to any other actuation module. This thesis project tooks place in SPEA, a company that deals with the design of automatic machines for testing electronic boards and semiconductors. During this experience all phases of the design were covered. These phases are explained in detail in the Thesis, which is composed of: an introduction on the state of the art about XY Stage and the motion control concept; a description regarding the SPEA testers and their applications; a part about the project specifications, the choice of the best architecture and materials up to the subdivision of different modules of system to be interfaced, to make the XYC100 controller complete and functional as an independent system; Then, a part where the Stage XYS100 is tested to study if its structure is suitable for the application and specifications, defining a new mechanical version; So once the XYC100 electronics and the XYS100 structure have been defined, a part for the electrical design and the cable design, with wiring and assembly are explained. In addition, the motion controller is sized and simulated compared to the real system. In the conclusions, there is a comment on different models of XYS mechanical stages with multiple moving heads, with different sizes and different XYC electronics modules, in order to make combinations and interchange for a new modular product variety.