Rotary stages for laser-machining tubes, stents

Aerotech, Pittsburgh, PA, has uncrated a new series of rotary stages that supports laser machining and laser micromachining of tubular products in plastics, metals and other materials. The CCS series (US patent pending) is particularly suited for cylindrical tube laser machining of medical products including stents and fine tubes, according to the company.

The rotary stages feature integral pneumatic collet chucks for automated material handling. A unique collet chuck design allows workpiece advance without manual realignment to compensate for axial tube motion during clamp/unclamp cycles. Axial motion is significantly reduced, eliminating the need for part re-registration after tube advancement in applications requiring high precision gripping of the material.

The CCS stages support tube diameters from 0.1-27 mm. A clear aperture assures efficient product feed-through. The housings can accept wet-cutting accessories, and the stages tolerate inevitable moderate leakage of cutting fluid into the aperture.

The CCS series data sheet has more product details. The company also has a video walkthrough of the technology, filmed at MD&M West 2012 back in February.