1D Measurement Beam

2026-11-03

National Physical Laboratory (NPL), is seeking a motion stage system with 2 carriages integrated into a single beam of low CTE stable material similar to those used in high accuracy co-ordinate measurement machines, either Granite or Silicon Carbide. The figure below shows an example of the dimensions of a potential arrangement for the system. The design and development of the system is expected to follow a standard development lifecycle with a design review with NPL present to ensure the system will match the requirements and can be integrated into the wider system. The supplier will provide a copy of the relevant technical file for the solution in line with the appropriate legal requirements to be UKCA or CE compliant. NPL is seeking engagement from suppliers who have capability to provide a solution to the following requirements: • An integrated slide/Motion axis/Motion Stage on a structural beam with appropriate mounting arrangements. • A very stable slide or motion axis with in-position noise levels of 1 nanometre rms. • slide should have pitch and yaw errors of maximum 50+/- microradians. • There should be 2 carriages on the motion stage/slide, each having an operating envelope of 2300 mm or more. • The carriages should be controlled to an incremental motion of 1 micron or less, with an integrated linear encoder to detect position into the nanometer scale. • The carriages are expected to carry a payload of 10 kgs. • All cable management should be integrated into the solution with the ability to add up to 4 additional signal cables. • The carriages will move at low speeds in the range of 1 micron to 25mm per second and accelerations of at least 1 m/s2 • The slide to include an inbuilt linear encoder with a 1 nanometre resolution. • The controller for the system should be provided with an interface be controlled via LabVIEW software. This is not an evaluation exercise and nothing in this activity will limit the opportunity to engage in any follow on ITT.

United Kingdom (UK)

2026-06-02