Rotational stop

Abstract

A rotational stop that includes: a lead screw having a longitudinal axis; a motor integrally mounted to the lead screw, wherein the motor provides rotation to the lead screw; a slide mounted to a support structure to provide movement relative to the lead screw longitudinal axis; a rotational control plate attached to the motor and having a plurality of protrusions extending from the rotational control plate, and; a rotational control guide having a rotational control surface on its face, wherein the rotational control surface is in intimate contact with the plurality of protrusions extending from the rotational control plate such that linear error is substantially reduced.

1 . A method for reducing linear error in a linear translation subsystem, comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing rotational control with a rotation control plate having ball bearings and attached to a linear drive motor;    b) means for enabling the ball bearings to make contact with a rotational control surface of a rotational control guide;    c) means for loading the rotational control plate to the rotational control guide with at least one load magnet; and    d) providing a ball slide that in combination with the ball bearings constrains the linear drive motor within one degree of freedom and reduces linear error of the linear translation subsystem.    
   
   
       2 . The method claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the ball bearings are mounted to the rotational control plate.  
   
   
       3 . The method claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the ball bearings make contact with a face of the rotational control guide.  
   
   
       4 . The method claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the rotational control plate is made of a ferrous material.  
   
   
       5 . The method claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the rotational control guide is made of a ferrous material.  
   
   
       6 . A method for reducing linear error in a linear translation subsystem, comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing rotational control with a rotational control plate having ball bearings and attached to a linear drive motor;    b) means for enabling the ball bearings to make contact with a rotational control surface of a rotational control stage;    c) means for loading the rotational control plate to the rotational control stage with at least one load magnet; and    d) providing a three-plane mount that in combination with the ball bearings constrains the linear drive motor within one degree of freedom and reduces linear error of the linear translation subsystem.