Mechanical positioning device for scientific instruments.

摘要

The invention consists of acompact substantially frictions positioning device for guiding motion of an object accu- ely along one or two axes. The object is supported on a )ck (13), which is attached to the inner ends of two pairs of Kible arms (14) connected to bars (15). Arms (14) form a uble support assembly which constrains block (13) to otion along a single axis, providing bars (15) are allowed to ove inwards slightly as the block (13) is displaced. This is nieved by supporting bars (15) on four springs (16) from ed blocks (17). Springs (16) exert a restoring force on bars i) as block (13) is displaced, resulting in block (13) returning its rest position when the displacing force is removed. ocks (17) may be mounted on a connecting plate which is pported on a second double hinge assembly comprising ns (19) and restoring springs (18), permitting a similar otion of block (13) along an axis at right angles to the first is. Motion is imparted to block (13) by means of elec- magnetic drive motors. The device is especially suited for e as an x-y scanner in scanned image microscopy and can used to scan the position of an acoustic lens in a combined inning acoustic and imaging optical microscope.