Magnetically preloaded stage assembly for electronic components

A stage assembly for supporting and moving at least one electronic component comprising:

• a guide rail;
• a carrier for supporting the at least one electronic component and moveable along a length of the guide rail;
• a linear motor operatively coupled to one of the guide rail and the carrier, the linear motor actuating movement of the carrier along the length of the guide rail;
• one or more air bearings coupled to one of the carrier and the guide rail, the air bearings configured to provide pressurized air between the carrier and the guide rail to create a distance between the carrier and the guide rail;
• and
• one or more adjustable magnetic preload assemblies operatively coupled to the carrier, the adjustable preload assemblies configured to selectively adjust a distance between the carrier and the guide rail.

A stage assembly for supporting and moving at least one electronic component comprising:

• a guide rail;
• a carrier for supporting the at least one electronic component and moveable along a length of the guide rail;
• a linear motor comprising a rotor and a stator assembly positioned along the length of the guide rail, the rotor operatively coupled to the carrier to actuate movement of the carrier along the length of the guide rail;
• a flux shield formed of a ferromagnetic material and positioned between the stator assembly and the carrier;
• and
• a plurality of magnetic preload assemblies operatively coupled to the carrier;
• wherein the plurality of magnetic preload assemblies are positioned above the flux shield and aligned along a centerline of the guide rail in a longitudinal direction.