Abstract: A friction drive for a positioning table employs a friction drive bar centered along the axis of the positioning table and coupled to the positioning table through a flexure member which allows lateral translation of the friction drive bar with respect to the table. The shaft of a rigidly mounted servomotor is tightly pinched against the side of the friction drive bar by a pair of back-up rollers on a pivoted support bar anchored to the frame bearing against the off side of the servomotor shaft and a pressure roller, also mounted on an anchored pivoted support bar, bearing against the opposed side of the friction drive bar. The pair of back-up rollers and the pressure roller are resiliently urged together to firmly pinch the servomotor shaft and friction drive bar together. The anchored pivoted support bar carries through longitudinal forces to prevent deflection of the servomotor shaft.