Abstract: A positioning device for positioning a stage relative to a tool mounted on a carrier device includes two intersecting linear axes disposed one above the other for pre-positioning the stage. A first magnetic levitation unit is configured to support the stage on one of the linear axes, the stage being actively movable for fine positioning in six degrees of freedom. A measuring head and first and second 6-DOF encoders are configured to determine a position of the stage relative to the carrier device. The measuring head is mounted on the other linear axis. The first 6-DOF encoder is disposed between the carrier device and the measuring head and the second 6-DOF encoder is disposed between the measuring head and the stage. A second magnetic levitation unit disposed on the other linear axis is configured to actively move the measuring head in the six degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A guide having passive gravity compensation via a magnet assembly for guiding a first body relative to a second body in a vertical direction has a spring guide which allows movements between a first and second body in the vertical direction and blocks the same in all other directions. The first body is connected to a first magnet and the second body to a second magnet.

Abstract: A guide having passive gravity compensation via a magnet assembly for guiding a first body relative to a second body in a vertical direction has a spring guide which allows movements between a first and second body in the vertical direction and blocks the same in all other directions. The first body is connected to a first magnet and the second body to a second magnet.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes a support constructed to support a patterning device. The patterning device is capable of imparting a radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section to form a patterned radiation beam. The support includes a force actuator device to exert a force onto the patterning device in a direction of movement of the support. The force actuator device includes a movable part which is pivotably about a pivot axis and thereby connected to the support. The movable part is in the direction of movement of the support substantially balanced with respect to the pivot axis. The force actuator device further includes an actuator to exert via the movable part the force onto the patterning device, to at least partly compensate for the information or a risk of slippage due to acceleration of the support in the direction of movement.

Abstract: A motor includes a magnet assembly to generate a magnetic field. The field includes along the first direction parts which are alternately orientated in the first and the second direction. The parts extend in a third direction which is perpendicular to the first and the second direction. The motor further includes a first coil winding to carry a first current. The first coil winding to extend in the first direction between parts of the magnetic field orientated in the second direction, to generate the force in the first direction. The motor also includes a second coil winding to carry a second current. The second coil winding to extend in the first direction between parts of the magnetic field substantially orientated in the first direction, to generate the force in the second direction.

Abstract: A apparatus processes an object (19), such as a semi-conductor wafer at accurately controlled positions. The object (19) is supported by a working platform (12) that is moveable along a path. A suspension actuator part (14) attached to the working platform (12), contains a soft magnetic core (24) with poles facing the surface of a soft magnetic element (34) on the support structure along the path and a winding (20) for application of a current to generate a magnetic field that runs through the core (24) via the poles and returns via the soft magnetic element (34). A sensor (17) senses a measured position of the suspension actuator part (14) relative to the position reference element (16). A control circuit comprises an outer control circuit (40) and an inner control circuit (42). The outer control circuit (40) receives a sensing result and determines force set point information to regulate the measured position of the actuator part (14) to a required value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are discloses for wirebonding leads of a plurality of lead frames being part of a lead frame assembly by a wirebonding tool to semiconductor products mounted on the respective lead frames. The semiconductor products are clamped by a clamping mechanism comprising a stationary clamp and a movable clamp. The movable clamp follows the indexing movement of the lead frame assembly during wirebonding of the semiconductor products clamped by the movable clamp. The wirebonding process does not need to be interrupted for the indexing.