The H-811.I2 miniature hexapod from Physik Instrumente (PI) stands out with its small footprint and its proven reliability in applications with high numbers of cycles, such as in optical manufacturing, automation, silicon photonics, and micro-assembly. With six degrees of freedom (6DoF), this positioning system offers a perfect balance between size, payload, and performance. The compact hexapod can be integrated seamlessly and efficiently into demanding applications and complex systems. It offers the highest precision and guaranteed values for central specifications. Thanks to very short lead times, PI additionally fulfills the high demands placed by industry on fast availability.

PI Ceramic, the innovation and market leader for piezoceramic components, has introduced a new, fully automated production line for multilayer technology to accelerate sample production for development projects. Furthermore, the system’s flexible design makes small-scale series economically viable.

Physik Instrumente (PI), the market and technology leader for high-precision positioning technology and piezo applications, has significantly expanded its electronics manufacturing site based in Rosenheim, Germany. The floorspace available was extended by 600 m² to the present 2,100 m². In addition to optimized logistics, additional workspaces, and new production equipment, a special emphasis was placed on improving ergonomics. The successful expansion was celebrated in the presence of Rosenheim’s Lord Mayor Andreas März.

With the P-725.xCDE1S focus scanner and the U-781 PILine XY stage system, PI completes its range of positioning systems for fluorescence microscopy applications. The dynamic focus scanner is offered as a complete package including controller and allows travel ranges up to 400 µm. The U-781 XY stage system with controller and joystick is mechanically compatible with inverted microscopes of leading manufacturers and offers interfaces to common microscopy software tools such as µ-Manager, MatLab, LabView, Python, and Nikon NIS Elements—all at an attractive price/performance ratio.

On September 16, 2024, Physik Instrumente (PI), the market and technology leader for high-precision positioning technology and piezo applications, inaugurated the new building of its Eschbach site in the Breisgau Business Park in southwestern Germany. Investments of approximately 20 million euros support the expansion of the global development and production center and strengthen the economic development of the region with state-of-the-art jobs.

On July 17, 2024, Physik Instrumente (PI) inaugurated the PI Technology Hub in Karlsruhe, Germany. On an area of 500 sqm, the hub offers space for ten employees of the central department “Global Research” as well as ten additional places for more extensive project work and for PhD students and working students. It is equipped with special laboratories to allow for hands-on experiments. The strategic proximity to the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and other research institutions will promote an intensive exchange and close cooperation.

At the Faculty of Science of the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, the PI Innovation Award, which is endowed with 2,500 euros, was presented for the first time. The award recognizes scientific research in the form of doctoral theses as the driving force behind innovative solutions and products. The work of award winner Dr. Teresa Wagner deals with new diagnostics for the early detection of therapy resistance in cancer.

At the International Aerospace Exhibition ILA Berlin in June, Physik Instrumente (PI) presented itself as a partner in the LuFo VI-1: ADMAS (Advanced Machining and Sealing) research project. Under the leadership of Airbus, PI has contributed its more than thirty years of expertise in hexapod development to the research project. The project, which was publicly funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection and supervised by the DLR Project Management Agency for Aviation Research, was successfully completed at the end of April 2024.

PI Ceramic introduces the new product category “Piezoceramic Composites” based on the development of a new manufacturing technology. In this technology, piezoelectric ceramics are embedded in filling polymers. For this purpose, materials with high stiffness as well as with highly elastic polymer matrices can be used. The basic functionalities of piezoceramics, namely ultrasonic conversion and actuator technology, can thus be combined with the properties of the filling polymers. This allows a much better adaptation to application-specific conditions and requirements such as complex shapes as well as specifically adjustable acoustic, mechanical, and electrical properties.