Physik Instrumente (PI) GmbH

Physik Instrumente (PI) GmbH

German precision motion leader founded 1970; makes piezo actuators, nanopositioning stages, hexapod robots for semiconductor, photonics, and medical markets.

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Company Overview

Physik Instrumente (PI) was founded in 1970 by physicist Karl Spanner as a spin-off from the Max Planck Society, and is headquartered at Auf der Römerstraße 1, 76228 Karlsruhe, Germany. PI is a privately owned company with approximately 1,790 employees in 15 subsidiaries, R&D, and engineering centers across three continents. It is one of the world's leading manufacturers of precision positioning technology and motion control systems.

PI's core product portfolio spans piezoelectric actuators and transducers, nanopositioning stages, linear and rotary servo-driven positioning systems, hexapod 6-axis parallel-kinematic robots, air-bearing motion systems, gantry systems, and custom high-precision mechatronic assemblies. Its PI Ceramic subsidiary develops and manufactures piezoceramic materials and integrated piezo actuators in-house, ensuring full vertical integration from raw piezo material to finished motion systems. This enables PI to control performance specifications from nano-scale to multi-ton load capacities.

Hexapod parallel-kinematic systems are a major product line. PI hexapods provide six degrees of freedom (X, Y, Z, ΘX, ΘY, ΘZ) in a compact, stiff, cable-free platform with no accumulated position errors. They are used in semiconductor wafer alignment, optical fiber alignment, medical device manufacturing, astronomy, and motion simulation. The H-815 hexapod is designed for industrial automation applications. Air-bearing linear stages and gantry systems serve laser machining, 3D printing, and flat-panel inspection. Photonics alignment systems handle single-mode fiber coupling with sub-nanometer resolution.

Markets served include semiconductor lithography and inspection, photonics manufacturing, medical device assembly, biomedical research, life sciences, automotive, and general precision manufacturing. PI's products are used in robotics for precision end-effector positioning, active vibration isolation, and multi-axis micro-assembly. The company operates under the brand name PI and markets its technology globally through direct sales offices and distributors. Phone: +49 721 4846-0; email: [email protected].

Capabilities & Activities

Primary type & automation activities this supplier delivers:

Applications & Industries

Product Categories

Products & Solutions

PI Hexapod Parallel-Kinematic Systems

6-DOF parallel-kinematic robotic positioning platforms for precision alignment in semiconductor, photonics, medical, and industrial applications.

Piezo Nanopositioning Stages

Sub-nanometer resolution piezoelectric linear, rotary, and multi-axis positioning stages for photonics, life sciences, and semiconductor research.

Partnership & Notable clients

Associating Events

Contact Physik Instrumente (PI) GmbH

WEBSITE

https://www.physikinstrumente.com

EMAIL

[email protected]

PHONE

+49 721 4846-0

HEADQUARTERS

Auf der Römerstraße 1
Karlsruhe , Baden-Württemberg  76199

Germany

Company Facts

Founded

1970

Primary Role

Component Supplier

Company Size

-

Primary Region

Europe

Annual Sales

-

Funding Stage

-

Funding Total

-

Listed in RobotToday Supplier Discovery. Verified Profile

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