Actuation system for controlling the movement of a table

An actuation system comprising:

• a table having vertical VP, longitudinal and lateral planes of movement,
• a lifting column for raising and lowering the table in the vertical plane of movement,
• first and second actuators pivotally mounted to a top section of the lifting column, the first and second actuators further coupled at their upper ends to a first end of the table,
• a guide plate having a top portion and at least one track, the at least one track being slidingly engaged with at least one guide, the at least one guide being vertically mounted to a side of the lifting column, wherein
• the top portion of the guide plate is vertically driven by a third actuator and is universally coupled to a second end of the table,
• a controller for controlling the movement of the lifting column in the vertical plane VP, and of the table in the longitudinal and lateral planes by varying the position of the three actuators relative to each other, wherein
• the first and second actuators are unguided and can pivot unimpededly but only in the longitudinal and lateral planes of movement, wherein
• the universal joint is guided by the guide plate so that it only moves vertically and does not rotate around the vertical plane of movement and wherein
• the universal joint creates a torsion stiff connection with the table.