Precision multi-point linear positioning system

A system for precision linear positioning of material along a frame, comprising:

• (a) a carrier means for carrying said material juxtaposed above said frame;
• (b) means for linearly moving said carrier means along said guide rod means comprising:
• (i) guide rod means attached to said frame along which said carrier means is supported and linearly movable;
• (ii) a carrier positioning module securely attached to said carrier means, said carrier positioning module capable of sliding along said guide rods to cause linear movement of said carrier means with respect to said frame, said carrier positioning module supporting said carrier means along said guide rod means;
• (iii) at least two pneumatic cylinders each having an extendable and retractable piston, including a first pneumatic cylinder fixed in position relative to said guide rod means and a last pneumatic cylinder fixed in position relative to said carrier positioning module, said cylinders connected to each other in a series, the extension and retraction of any of said pistons cumulatively causing the sliding of said carrier positioning module along said guide rod means;
• (iv) a piston mounting plate attached to at least one said piston;
• (v) a cylinder mounting plate attached to at least one said cylinder;
• (c) stopping means for limiting the extension of each said piston, comprising:
• (i) a position set control rod attached to said piston mounting plate;
• (ii) a set control apparatus adjustably attached to a position set control rod, said set control apparatus capable of contacting an associated cylinder mounting plate when an associated cylinder has its piston extended, said set control apparatus limiting the further extension of the piston of said associated cylinder upon contacting said associated cylinder mounting plate;
• and
• (d) means for providing a controllable amount of air to each pneumatic cylinder to selectively control the extension and retraction of each said piston.

An apparatus for precision linear positioning of a material, comprising:

• (a) a frame;
• (b) carrier means capable of linearly moving along said frame for carrying said material;
• (c) means for linearly moving said carrier means along said frame comprising a plurality of pneumatic cylinders each having an extendable and retractable piston, said cylinders connected to each other in a series and including a first end pneumatic cylinder attached to said frame and a last end pneumatic cylinder attached to said carrier means, such that said carrier means is moved to a fixed position determined by the amount of the cumulative extension and retraction of said pistons;
• (d) stopping means associated with each said pneumatic cylinder for limiting the extension of each said piston;
• and
• (e) means for providing a controllable amount of air to each said pneumatic cylinder to selectively control extension and retraction of each said piston.