When do you need a stage, and when do you need an actuator?

Live webinar · Two editions · 30 minutes · online

All too often, our reflex is to reach for a stage to solve a technical challenge. The Xeryon XLA actuator is often an elegant, easy and cost-effective alternative. In 30 minutes we show when.

What you will take away:

How the XLA is built. A self-locking ultrasonic piezo actuator with its own bearing and optical encoder, running closed loop.
The XLA as a linear stage. Its own bearing and encoder let you mount a light payload directly on it. We show how, and within which limits.
Where an actuator is enough. Pushing a load that is already guided, short focus adjustment, a filter or shutter in and out of the beam, compact OEM integration.
Where you do need a stage. Heavy or cantilevered loads, 5 nm resolution, vacuum, stacking into XY or XYZ.

Session 1

Tuesday 17 November 2026

09:00 PST · 12:00 EST · 18:00 CET

Session 2

Wednesday 18 November 2026
11:00 CET · 18:00 Beijing / Singapore

Length

30 minutes, live and online

Presenters

Hans Clijsters and Tomas Barkman

Register for the Free Technical Webinar

Stage or Actuator?

Linear stage

A linear stage brings its own guidance, encoder, housing and mounting plate. It carries heavier and cantilevered loads, stacks into XY and XYZ, and plugs straight into a lab controller.

XLA actuator

The XLA is a self-locking ultrasonic piezo actuator with its own bearing and optical encoder, running closed loop. On axes where the load is already guided, or light enough to sit on the actuator itself, it can do the job in a smaller and lighter package.

This session sets out the line between the two, so you can choose the right one for each axis.