Pick-and-place actuator: 'XLA'

Our XLA actuators are highly suited for pick-and-place applications in electronics.

They are extremely slim, can be stacked with zero-pitch, are precise, fast and last tens of millions of cycles. They also do not generate any magnetism.

In addition, they are also self-locking, meaning they hold their desired position when powered off, even in a vertical orientation.

Note: The XLA will be available with an integrated closed-loop controller from January 2025. This means no external controller is needed anymore, allowing you to further downsize your picking design.

Unlock the next level of pitch

At this size, there is no actuator that compares to the XLA.

	XLA-1	XLA-5	XLA-10
Driving force (N):	1	5	10
Width (mm):	5.4	9.1	11.5
Mass (g):	≥ 5.5	≥ 51.6	≥ 72

		XLA series
Max. travel range (mm):	150
Encoder resolution (µm):	10 ... 0.08
= Min. step size (µm):	10 ... 0.08
Max. velocity (mm/s):	> 1000
Max. positioning rate (Hz):	> 1000
Lifetime:	> 1000 km / 20,000,000 cycles
Self-locking?	Yes. Holds position when powered off.
Example applications:	Lens focusing, pick-and-place, dispensing, stages, ...

▼ View full specs

Select your mini linear actuator

Driving force

Rod length

= Travel range ⓘ:

Encoder resolution

Product code:

XLA-1-20-Open-L

Dimensions: 22,7 x 14,8 x 5,4 mm (4,9 mm without coverplate)
Mass: 5.5 grams

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Buy development kit

Development kit - 1250 nm encoder - €995 / $1100.
Volume pricing from click here to show.

Large volumes or custom designs? Explore OEM solutions

Actuators for automated pipetting and liquid handling

XLA used for precision dispensing.
Slim design and zeor magnetism allow for direct stacking.

Stackable: slim design, cool operation & no electromagnetism

Portable: low-voltage, efficient & noiseless

Optional double body setup for double driving force

Optional double body setup (rod mounted)
for moving two separate objects

The XLA allows for extremely small-pitch stacking

Downsize your picking design

No loss of accuracy over time
Maintenance free
No magnetic field generation, no cogging
Direct-drive
Low & safe voltage (<48V)
Low power consumption (<5W)
Optional integrated controller
Capable of slow scanning speeds
Self-locking and backdrivable
Noiseless
Easy OEM product integration

Technical details

Specs + drawings XLA-1-series (1N model)

Specs + drawings XLA-5-series (5N model)

Specs + drawings XLA-10-series (10N model)

Quick start guide (with position feedback / closed loop)

Quick start guide (without position feedback / open loop)

XD-OEM controller specs + manual (external, all models)

XD-Internal controller specs (integrated in actuator, XLA-5 only, from January 2025)

For detailed explanations of terminology used in specification sheets, take a look at our selection guide.

Controller:

Actuators with encoder: External XD-OEM controller. Note: Internal closed-loop controller expected in January 2025.
Actuators without encoder: Controller integrated in the micro linear actuator
Protocols: USB, RS232, EtherCAT, UART, and more (see full communication overview)
Software: Windows GUI, LabVIEW GUI, and software libraries.
Hardware: Digital I/O

Example: Multiple OEM controllers shown in multi-axis EtherCAT setup

Product videos

Control types

Closed-loop version (exact position control): External controller (XD-OEM) + integrated position sensor (= go to any position).
Note: Internal closed-loop controller (integrated in actuator) coming in January 2025. For ultimate compactness.

Open-loop version (end-to-end motion only): Integrated controller, analog/PWM speed and direction control (and limit switches). Ultra-compact. A break-out board is available for testing.

Not sure if you need a linear piezo actuator with open-loop or closed-loop? This page makes it all clear.

Linear actuators for P&P applications

Xeryon's linear actuators are highly suitable for pick-and-place applications like SMT component placement. An overview of their capabilities:

General characteristics:

Size: starts at 22.7mm x 14.8mm x 5.4mm for 1N motor
Weight: starts from 5.5 grams.
Stroke length: 5mm ... 300mm.
Velocity: up to 40 mm/s in closed-loop operation and up to 1000mm/s in open-loop.
Extreme precision: encoder resolution ranging from 50 μm to 78 nm.
Operational force: 1N ... 10N.
Durability: > 2000 kilometers or 40 million operational cycles.

Additional benefits in pick-and-place applications:

Self-locking, meaning no power needed to hold desired actuator position.
Greatly reduced energy consumption (<5W) and heat dissipation due to the above.
No loss of precision over time (no wear-induced play)
Option for integrated controller.
Silent operation due to our patented ultrasonic motor.
Back-drivable (actuator can be manually overriden without affecting lifetime).

Linear actuarors for pick-and-place machines have to be compact, lightweight and highly stackable, in addition to being fast, extremely precise and reliable.

Xeryon's XLA combines all of these features, making it an ideal actuator for pick-and-place applications commonly found in the electronics industry.

These ultra-slim linear actuators with submicron precision are designed for maximum performance and ease of integration. Its width of less than 6 mm and low heat dissipation makes the XLA stackable with an extremely small pitch.

This allows for signficant densening / downsizing of actuator arrays and component placement systems. The XLA's narrow body and performant design are made possible by our patented ultrasonic motor, eliminating transmission components and bulky electromagnetic motors.

Frequently asked questions

Our Crossfixx™ ultrasonic motor uses vibration to move a ceramic tip in an elliptical pattern at a very high frequency (80 kHz - 180 kHz). Spring-loaded against a ceramic strip on the actuator rod, it generates very small but rapid movements, resulting in high-speed motion and silent operation with a long lifetime.

This gives you the best of both worlds:

1) The lifetime and speed of an electromagnetic motor.
2) The precision and compactness of a piezo motor.

Xeryon’s micro linear actuators offer a unique combination of high speed, precision, long stroke, and durability in an ultra-compact design, overcoming the limitations of traditional linear actuators where trade-offs have to be made (e.g. stroke length in voice coils, speed in screw-driven actuators & size in linear motors). Xeryon’s actuators are gearless, self-locking, energy-efficient and operate at low voltages. They don’t produce a magnetic field, are back-driveable, and free from drift or play.

For a complete overview of different micro linear actuators, take a look this page.

Xeryon’s ultrasonic piezo actuators are much faster, have a much larger stroke, a much (much!) longer lifetime, operate noiselessly, consume less power, and operate at a much lower voltage at the piezo element.

In other words, they offer the precision and size of traditional piezo actuators, without their typical drawbacks.

Traditional stick-slip piezo actuators operate at much lower frequencies, typically within the frequency range of small mechanical components. Apart from being in the human audible spectrum, this introduces the risk of the piezo motor making the entire system vibrate, rather than only the motor itself.

Xeryon's ultrasonic piezo actuators operate at much higher frequencies (80 - 180 kHz), ensuring silent operation and no unwanted vibrations.

For a complete overview of different micro linear actuators, take a look this page.

No problem! There are several ways to achieve this with our miniature linear actuators:

1) Stacking multiple actuators

Xeryon's actuators are slim and stackable. Their cool operation allows them to be stacked against each other without overheating issues, and since there are no magnetic coils present, there is no risk of magnetic interference between the actuators.

2) Multiple motors on a single rod

Alternatively, multiple driving units can be combined on a single rod, doubling the driving force. Since this is not a standard product, it is best to contact our integration team about this.