Magnetic Transporters
Magnetic Transporters
Magnetic transporters let you introduce a sample into a vacuum chamber without breaking vacuum. External magnets actuate internal mechanisms, delivering smooth, particle-free motion. Our patented heavy-duty design uses a strong square hollow shaft to significantly increase rigidity versus traditional round-shaft units. Conventional single-shaft designs are also available.
Product Advantages
- Higher rigidity & precision
- Higher decoupling force
- Longer extension with minimal sag
- Built-in secondary operation (lift, clamp, rotate, etc.)
Common Features
- Actuator housing: Anodized aluminum
- Magnets: NdFeB
- Vacuum range: 1 × 10−11 Torr
- Bake: 250 °C (with external carriage removed)
Model Families
VFMS: Linear only; single square shaft.
VFMD: Linear + rotary; dual shaft — a round inner shaft rotates inside a square hollow shaft, enabling independent secondary operations (clamp, lift, gear, cam).
VFML: Linear and/or linear+rotary; single round shaft for light-duty applications at lower cost.
Higher rigidity allows linear extensions up to 160″ vertical and 60″ horizontal with little sag. Dual-shaft VFMD uses an inner round shaft for rotation inside a square outer shaft, so linear and rotary motions are independent.
| VFMD-LR (Dual Shaft: Linear + Rotary) | |
|---|---|
| Linear compliance | 0.0035 in/lb |
| Linear decoupling | 26 lb |
| Rotary torque | 12 in-lb |
| Drives | Pneumatic or motor |
| VFMS-L (Single Square Shaft: Linear Only) | |
|---|---|
| Linear compliance | 0.0025 in/lb |
| Linear decoupling | 26 lb |
| Drives | Pneumatic or motor |
Bearings: metal bearings for excellent tactile feedback and high duty-cycle; polymeric bushings (outside vacuum) if a slight stiction is preferred.
VFML-LR (single round shaft) is ideal for simpler transfers requiring linear and/or rotary motion. It’s more economical than VFMD while offering superior linear force and torque vs. typical conventional manipulators.
| VFML-LR Key Specs | |
|---|---|
| Linear travel | Up to 36″ |
| Linear decoupling | 13 lb |
| Rotary torque | 8 in-lb |
| Drives | Pneumatic or motor |
Magnetically-coupled Transfer Sticks provide economical linear-angular motion in vacuum. They eliminate edge-welded bellows, reducing leak risk. With the external carriage removed, units are bakeable to 250 °C. Standard models offer up to 12″ push-pull travel and ±11° angular tilt.
| VFML-WS-L (Linear Only) | |
|---|---|
| Actuator housing | Anodized aluminum |
| Magnets | NdFeB |
| Vacuum range | 1 × 10−11 Torr |
| Linear decoupling | 4 lb |
| Angular movement | ±11° |
| Flange | CF2.75 |
| VFML-WS-LR (Linear + Rotary) | |
|---|---|
| Actuator housing | Anodized aluminum |
| Magnets | NdFeB |
| Vacuum range | 1 × 10−11 Torr |
| Linear decoupling | 4 lb |
| Angular movement | ±11° |
| Flange | CF2.75 |
Model Comparison
| Model | Motion | Shaft Type | Typical Travel | Decoupling | Torque | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VFMD-LR | Linear + Rotary | Dual: square + inner round | Long (up to 160″ V / 60″ H) | 26 lb | 12 in-lb | Independent axes; supports lift/gear/cam |
| VFMS-L | Linear | Single square | Long (high rigidity) | 26 lb | — | Best linear stiffness |
| VFML-LR | Linear + Rotary | Single round | Up to 36″ | 13 lb | 8 in-lb | Light-duty, cost-effective |
| VFML-WS-L | Linear | Transfer stick | Up to 12″ | 4 lb | — | ±11° tilt, CF2.75 |
| VFML-WS-LR | Linear + Rotary | Transfer stick | Up to 12″ | 4 lb | — | ±11° tilt, CF2.75 |