Abstract: Disclosed herein is a contamination protection apparatus that includes a concealed linear glandular seal for providing continuous protection along an entire length of a movable table of a precision apparatus such as testing and metrology machines, laser machines, biomedical equipment, and precision fabricating machines. The disclosed glandular seal is formed on an inner structure of the protective apparatus, which includes a plurality of mechanical translation stages positioned in the inner structure and two normally closed linear parts of the glandular seal attached to respective mechanical translation stages. The linear parts interfere with each other and are opened by movement of a mechanical translation stage saddle.

Abstract: A precision positioning tilt device includes an inner tilt frame directly actuated by a first motor so as to enable the tilt frame to pivot about a frame axis and a platform removably mounted on the inner tilt frame and directly actuated by a second motor so as to pivot about a platform axis extending perpendicular to and coaxial with the frame axis

Abstract: A precision positioning tilt device includes an inner tilt frame directly actuated by a first motor so as to enable the tilt frame to pivot about a frame axis and a platform removably mounted on the inner tilt frame and directly actuated by a second motor so as to pivot about a platform axis extending perpendicular to and coaxial with the frame axis.

Abstract: A workpiece positioning device includes a frame; an elevator assembly mounted on the frame for motion along a z-axis; an inclined plane assembly attached to the elevator assembly; and a drive assembly mounted on the frame and configured to cause the elevator assembly to move along the z-axis, the drive assembly including a slide member and a bearing positioned in a first end portion of the slide member (which is formed in the shape of a wedge) to contact the inclined plane assembly. The drive assembly further includes a leadscrew for driving the slide member toward and away from the inclined plane assembly. The bearing is positioned in the first end portion of the slide member such that a portion of a circumference of the bearing protrudes from a surface of the first end portion of the slide member such that the bearing contacts the inclined plane assembly at a single point to cause the elevator assembly to move along a z-axis as the slide member is driven toward and away from the inclined plane assembly.