Rotary Stages
Rotary stages from Griffin Motion are direct-drive, precision positioning tables designed for laboratory, factory automation, and semiconductor processing equipment. The high-torque, brushless direct-drive technology eliminates backlash and improves reliability by minimizing sliding friction throughout the stage. The large bore allows convenient routing of tubing and cabling for application requirements. Positioning resolution can be selected, with most controls, to meet the needs of the final application.
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Precision Rotary Stages: Direct Drive Performance and Integration Options
Griffin Motion rotary stages deliver accurate, repeatable angular positioning for laser processing, optical alignment, semiconductor metrology, and precision inspection. Every rotary stage in our catalog is direct drive, and every model is machined and assembled in Apex, North Carolina.
Direct Drive Throughout the Line
Coupling the motor directly to the rotating platform eliminates gears, belts, and couplings from the drive mechanism. The result is near-zero backlash, no periodic error from gear meshing, and minimal accuracy degrading wear over the life of the stage. Direct drive also delivers high speed, rapid acceleration, and unlimited continuous rotation that indexing and scanning applications required, a geared or belt-driven design simply cannot match its dynamics. Fewer moving parts also means fewer failure points and less maintenance in high-duty-cycle production environments.
Optical Rotary Encoder Feedback
Our rotary stages use optical rotary encoders mounted directly on the rotating platform, so the feedback you read is the closely coupled to the angular position of your payload. Optical encoders provide high resolution with excellent signal stability and immunity to the electrical noise. Both incremental and absolute optical encoders are available.
Precision Machining for Minimal Runout and Wobble
Angular accuracy is only one component of precision rotary motion. Axial runout, radial runout, and wobble determine whether your part or optic stays where it belongs through a full revolution. Critical surfaces throughout our rotary stages are precision machined to hold these errors to a minimum, which can be critical for laser machining, wafer inspection, and optical alignment work.
Large Through Bores
The HTR-DD-200, RTS-100, RTS-150, and RTS-200 feature large clear apertures through the center of rotation. Route laser beams, optical paths, vacuum lines, wiring harnesses, or slip rings directly through the axis without compromising the structural rigidity of the stage. Standard mounting patterns across our product families make these stages straightforward to combine with our linear and elevator stages into multi-axis systems.
Integrated Collet Options
Several of our rotary platforms integrate collet systems for direct workholding, built primarily for laser tube cutting. Integrated collets remove the stacked tolerances and setup time of a separate chuck or fixture:
- 3CS Precision Rotary Spindle: 3C collet
- STS-110: 1C or Type D collet
- RCS-090: ER8 collet with pneumatic actuation
- RCS-150: ER25 collet with pneumatic actuation
- RTS-150-3C and RTS-150-5C: pneumatic 3C and 5C collet integration
Pneumatic actuation allows clamping and releasing under program control, which suits automated load and unload cycles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which rotary stages have a through bore?
The HTR-DD-200, RTS-100, RTS-150, and RTS-200 are all built with a large clear aperture through the center of rotation, sized for routing optics, cabling, tubing, or slip rings.
Why drive direct instead of a geared rotary stage?
Direct drive eliminates backlash and the periodic error that gear meshing introduces, supports continuous unlimited rotation at high speed, and removes the wear surfaces that cause geared stages to lose accuracy over time.
Which stages offer collet integration?
The 3CS, STS-110, RCS-090, RCS-150, RTS-150-3C, and RTS-150-5C all integrate collet workholding. Collet type varies by model — ER8, ER25, 1C, Type D, 3C, and 5C are available.
What type of position feedback is used?
Optical rotary encoders mounted directly on the rotating axis, providing real-time angular position measured at the load rather than through the drive train.
Can these stages be integrated into a multi-axis system?
Yes. Standard mounting hole patterns across our rotary, linear, and elevator stages allow direct stacking, and we build complete multi-axis and gantry systems to customer specification. Contact our engineering team to discuss your configuration.
