Figure 2.
CAD drawing of the motorized rotation stage. (a) The schematic configuration involves two input shafts (1, 2) driving a configuration of three miter gears, providing rotational motions θ and φ. Both θ and φ rotational directions are perpendicular to each other. Rotation in the θ direction (the theta angulation unit, 3) occurs when R1 and R2 rotate in the same direction. Rotation in the φ direction (phi angulation unit and needle insertion guide, 4) occurs when they rotate in opposing directions. (b) The actual design obeys the same relations, but utilized a timing belt in addition to miter gears to increase the workspace of the needle guide.