PI Launches N-332 High-Force Piezo Linear Stage
The N-332 family pairs 75 N active drive force with 3 nm minimum incremental motion for demanding positioning tasks.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Physics
PI (Physik Instrumente) offers the N-332 family of high-force piezoelectric linear stages. The stages combine 75 N of active drive force in either direction with 3 nm minimum incremental motion.
Why it matters
High-force piezo stages with nanometer-scale resolution address applications that previously required trade-offs between load capacity and precision. Researchers and manufacturers working with heavy payloads at fine resolution gain a option built on a walking-drive design.
The stage is rated for 75 N active drive force and 3 nm minimum incremental motion, with a maximum velocity of 12 mm/s over 25 mm or 50 mm travel. The source does not provide independent test results or comparisons against other stages.
The players
PI (Physik Instrumente)
PI (Physik Instrumente) is a German manufacturer of precision positioning systems, motion controllers, and piezoelectric actuators used in research and industrial automation.
The details
The N-332 uses eight PICMA piezo actuators in a V8 walking-drive configuration, advancing the platform through coordinated gripping and stepping motions. An integrated noncontact optical linear encoder provides closed-loop positioning, and crossed-roller bearings guide the motion. The stage measures 80 mm wide with a 30 mm profile, and its motor remains self-locking when power is removed. UHV-compatible versions are available for pressures down to 10-9 hPa, and the stage is supported by the E-713 modular motion controller.
Timeline
The N-332 product announcement is dated November 11, 2026.
The Big Picture
The N-332 applies PI's PICMA piezo actuator line to a high-force walking-drive design, extending piezoelectric positioning toward heavier loads than conventional fine-positioning stages typically carry. Its UHV-compatible variant places this capability in vacuum-based experimental environments such as surface-science and thin-film research.
Researchers and engineers needing heavy-load positioning at nanometer resolution can evaluate the N-332 in 25 mm or 50 mm travel versions. UHV-compatible models extend the option to vacuum environments down to 10-9 hPa.
The takeaway
Engineers choosing a positioning stage should weigh active drive force, incremental resolution, and vacuum compatibility together rather than in isolation. The N-332 is one option for applications that need all three.
Further reading
For related context, explore more coverage in the Physics section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by AZoNano.
