Alignment system

An alignment jig, comprising:

• a base unit configured to carry a support unit, the support unit being configured to support a load and to space the base unit apart from the load, the support unit being moveable relative to the base unit, the base unit including a base unit actuation system operable to act on the support unit along a base unit operational axis X1, the support unit including a support unit actuation system operable to act on the load along a support unit operational axis Y1;
• wherein the base unit actuation system includes a first actuator unit spaced apart from a second actuator unit along the base unit operational axis X1, and the first actuator unit is fixed relative to the second actuator unit by a base unit support structure;
• and
• wherein the support unit actuation system includes a third actuator unit spaced apart from a fourth actuator unit along the base unit operational axis X1, and the third actuator unit is fixed relative to the fourth actuator unit by a support unit support structure;
• wherein the third actuator unit includes a pair of actuators which are spaced apart from one another along an operational axis Z1, and the fourth actuator unit includes a pair of actuators which are spaced apart from one another along the operational axis Z1, and wherein the operational axis Z1 is substantially perpendicular to the operational axes X1 and Y1;
• wherein the support unit support structure includes
• a first member which extends between one of the actuators of the pair of actuators of the third actuator unit, and one of actuators of the pair of actuators of the fourth actuator unit, and
• a second member which extends between the other actuator of the pair of actuators of the third actuator unit, and the other actuator of the pair of actuators of the fourth actuator unit,
• wherein the first member and second member are spaced apart from one another along the operational axis Z1, and attached to one another at least at one point along their length such that they may move relative to one another.

An alignment system, comprising:

• an alignment jig, including
• a base unit configured to carry a support unit, the support unit being configured to support a load and to space the base unit apart from the load, the support unit being moveable relative to the base unit, the base unit including a base unit actuation system operable to act on the support unit along a base unit operational axis X1, the support unit including a support unit actuation system operable to act on the load along a support unit operational axis Y1,
• wherein the base unit actuation system includes a first actuator unit spaced apart from a second actuator unit along the base unit operational axis X1, and the first actuator unit is fixed relative to the second actuator unit by a base unit support structure,
• wherein the support unit actuation system includes a third actuator unit spaced apart from a fourth actuator unit along the base unit operational axis X1, and the third actuator unit is fixed relative to the fourth actuator unit by a support unit support structure, and
• wherein the third actuator unit includes a pair of actuators which are spaced apart from one another along an operational axis Z1, and the fourth actuator unit includes a pair of actuators which are spaced apart from one another along the operational axis Z1, and wherein the operational axis Z1 is substantially perpendicular to the operational axes X1 and Y1;
• a support track system configured to support the alignment jig, wherein the alignment jig is moveable relative to the support track, and the support track system includes first and second track members spaced apart from one another by a distance D, wherein the base unit spans the first and second track members;
• and
• a track actuation unit operable to move the alignment jig relative to the first and second track members.