What Aerotech does

Aerotech, Inc. is a Pittsburgh-headquartered precision motion control and automation company founded in 1970 that designs and manufactures stages, actuators, motors, gantries, laser scan heads, gimbals, hexapods, and process-specific motion subsystems for semiconductor, optics and photonics, laser processing, medical and life sciences, and other demanding industrial customers. Its technology stack is unified around the proprietary Automation1 control platform, which integrates controllers, drives, and positioning systems, complemented by software such as CADFusion and proprietary features including Infinite Field of View, Position Synchronized Output, 22-bit encoders, and the PICAlign six-DOF active alignment system. The portfolio spans standard catalog components, custom engineered motion systems, and fully integrated turnkey automation machines, supported by applied technology services, design and engineering, and global technical support.

Aerotech generates revenue primarily through hardware sales of precision motion products and custom-engineered or integrated automation systems, with supplemental professional services for integration, proof of concept, and ongoing support. Pricing is quote-based rather than publicly disclosed, reflecting the custom configuration required for each application. The company goes to market via direct enterprise field sales and application engineers, complemented by channel partners such as Motion Plus and Kiski Precision, and operates wholly-owned subsidiaries in Germany (Aerotech GmbH, European HQ) and China (艾罗德克运动控制技术(上海)有限公司), along with the Peak Metrology 3D metrology subsidiary. The firm reports 251–500 employees, maintains 240,000 sq ft of manufacturing including cleanrooms and temperature-controlled metrology labs, and has shipped more than $2B of equipment cumulatively over its 50+ year history. Recent activity has emphasized co-packaged optics production for AI and data center infrastructure, with PICAlign developed alongside Santec and SENKO, the AGV-CPO laser scan head family launched in 2026, and a new German laser lab opened to serve European micromaterial processing customers.

Name

Aerotech

Legal name

Aerotech, Inc.

Website

https://aerotech.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Aerotech is a Pittsburgh-based precision motion control and automation company, founded in 1970, that designs stages, laser scan heads, hexapods, and integrated automation systems for semiconductor, photonics, laser processing, and medical device manufacturers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Precision Motion Control Equipment

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)

akta.pro primary industry

Motion & Machine Control (CNC, Robotics Controllers, Servo/Motion Controllers) (IMAGABAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Motion Control Components (Servos, Drives, Motors, Encoders) (IMAHAHAG), Actuators & Motion Devices (Linear, Rotary, Electric Actuators for Motion Control) (IMAHAGAG), Motion Control Controllers & CNC/Robot Drives (Motion Controllers, Multi-axis) (IMAGACAH)

Keywords

• Precision motion control
• Laser scan heads
• Hexapod positioning
• Motion controllers
• 3D metrology systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Pittsburgh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Motion Control Hardware: Sale of precision motion control products including stages, actuators, motors, gantries, laser scan heads, hexapods, and motion control platforms. Products range from individual components to integrated subsystems.
2. Custom Engineered Motion Systems: Design and manufacture of custom motion systems tailored to specific customer applications across various industries, providing engineering expertise and specialized components.
3. Integrated Automation Systems: Complete turnkey automation machines designed and built to customer specifications, integrating precision motion control technology with process-specific requirements.
4. Professional Services: Applied technologies services including machine integration, proof of concept development, lab development, and motion programming support, plus design and engineering services for system integration.
5. Global Technical Support: Service and repair, software downloads and activations, and ongoing technical support for installed systems worldwide.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Aerotech designs, manufactures, and integrates precision motion control hardware and automation systems including linear and rotary stages, hexapods, laser scan heads, motors, gantries, gimbals, optical mounts, and motion controllers. The company sells its proprietary Automation1 software platform as the control architecture spanning its product line, and provides custom-engineered motion systems and integrated turnkey automation machines for semiconductor, photonics, medical, laser processing, and other demanding industrial applications.

Product overview

Aerotech is a precision motion and automation company offering a comprehensive portfolio of motion control products organized around its Motion & Positioning Solutions line. The core product family includes Motion Control Platforms (the Automation1 software platform plus controllers/drives), Stages & Actuators (linear, rotary, lift, XY stages), Motors (linear, rotary, framed, frameless), Gantries (mechanical and air-bearing), Laser Scan Heads (2D, 3D, 5D, and custom including the AGV-CPO, AGV-HPO, AGV-XPO series), Gimbals & Optical Mounts, Hexapods (6-DOF positioning), and Process-Specific Products (medical, photonics, laser processing). Beyond standard products, Aerotech offers Custom Engineered Motion Systems for bespoke single and multi-axis solutions, and Integrated Automation Systems for complete turnkey machines. A subsidiary, Peak Metrology, provides 3D Metrology Systems. All standard products are designed to work together within the Automation1 control architecture, while the software portfolio includes Automation1 (the unified control platform) and CADFusion (for CAD-based motion programming). The company also develops integrated solutions like PICAlign for specific applications such as co-packaged optics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Peak Metrology: 3D metrology systems for high-value or life-critical product measurement and inspection to tight tolerances. Peak Metrology is described as an Aerotech company.
• Automation1

Products and services

• Motion Control Platforms Software, controllers, drives, and drive racks that form the computational and control foundation for all Aerotech motion systems, including the Automation1 platform.
• Stages and Actuators Linear, rotary, lift, and XY positioning stages and actuators including ANT, ATS, PRO, ABL, and ALS series for various travel ranges and load capacities.
• Motors Linear and rotary motors available in framed and frameless configurations, including BLM, BM/BMS, S, and SM series motors for precision motion applications.
• Gantries Mechanical and air-bearing gantry systems available in large and small configurations for multi-axis positioning and material handling applications.
• Laser Scan Heads 2D, 3D, 5D, and custom laser scan heads for precision laser processing including AGV-CPO, AGV-HPO, AGV-XPO, AGV-SPO, and AGV3D series with features such as Infinite Field of View technology.
• Gimbals and Optical Mounts Direct-drive and gear-driven gimbals and optical mounts for precision pointing and alignment in photonics applications, including AMG series mounts.
• Hexapods Ultra-precise 6-DOF (six degrees of freedom) positioning systems available in small and large configurations including HEX150, HEX300, and HEX500 series for applications requiring multi-axis alignment.
• Process-Specific Products Specialized products for medical, photonics, and laser processing applications including FiberMaxHP, LaserTurn series for optical component processing, and Vasculathe for medical device manufacturing.
• Custom Engineered Motion Systems Custom single and multi-axis motion systems designed for specific application requirements, representing Aerotech's core expertise in customizing products and creating new motion designs for specific applications.
• Integrated Automation Systems Custom turnkey automation machines built around Aerotech's precision motion control technology, complete automation systems designed for specific production processes.
• Peak Metrology 3D Metrology Systems Standard and custom 3D metrology capital equipment for high-value product measurement and inspection to tight tolerances, an Aerotech company focused on precision measurement solutions.
• Automation1 Aerotech's unified control software platform providing motion programming, system configuration, and integration capabilities across all Aerotech motion control products.
• CADFusion CAD-based motion programming and simulation software for designing and verifying motion trajectories before deployment.
• PICAlign Active alignment system for high-volume co-packaged optics (CPO) production, developed in collaboration with Santec and SENKO. Combines high-speed motion control, synchronized optical power sampling, and alignment algorithms to achieve nanometer-scale precision across six degrees of freedom.
• AGV-CPO Two-Axis Laser Scan Head Two-axis laser scan head providing high resolution, stability, and scalability at an accessible price point with 22-bit resolution, ultra-low thermal drift, and Automation1 platform compatibility.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nanometer-scale alignment precision achieved with PICAlign system for co-packaged optics production
• +1 more outcomes

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Santec CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 January 2026Collaboration to develop PICAlign, an active alignment system for high-volume co-packaged optics (CPO) production. The integrated solution combines Santec's optical expertise with Aerotech's high-speed motion control for data center and AI computing applications.
• SENKO Advanced ComponentscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 January 2026Three-way collaboration with Santec and Aerotech to develop PICAlign active alignment system for co-packaged optics manufacturing. SENKO contributes optical connector expertise for high-volume CPO production addressing data center and AI computing needs.
• Kiski PrecisionminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndustrial services and contract manufacturing partner providing local support and services for Aerotech customers.
• PEAK MetrologycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAerotech subsidiary providing standard and custom metrology capital equipment for 3D metrology systems. Peak Metrology helps ensure products are measured and inspected to the tightest tolerances for high-value or life-critical products.
• Motion PlusminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNorth American distributor for specific Aerotech products, extending market reach in the region.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Physik Instrumente (PI): PI is one of the most direct competitors to Aerotech globally, offering precision positioning stages, hexapods, piezo actuators, and motion controllers serving semiconductor, photonics, and life-science customers. Both companies compete head-to-head in nanometer-scale positioning and 6-DOF alignment solutions.
• Novanta: Novanta (parent of Cambridge Technology, Synrad, and Celera Motion) supplies precision motion components, lasers, and beam-steering subsystems to medical, semiconductor, and advanced industrial OEMs. It is a direct peer in motion control and photonics-enabled manufacturing equipment.
• ACS Motion Control: ACS Motion Control is a direct peer specializing in high-performance multi-axis motion controllers and servo drives for semiconductor, flat-panel display, and laser-processing applications, competing directly with Aerotech's Automation1 controllers and Ndrive/Npaq platforms.
• Galil Motion Control: Galil designs motion controllers, servo drives, and PLCs for OEMs in machine automation, semiconductor, and life sciences. It is a direct peer in precision multi-axis motion control, with overlapping customer profiles in photonics and laser processing.

Broad incumbents

• Danaher Corporation: Danaher is a large diversified industrial and life-sciences conglomerate that includes motion, measurement, and automation businesses (e.g., Beckman Coulter, Leica, Dover Motion) serving semiconductor, medical, and precision-manufacturing customers that overlap with Aerotech's segments.
• Parker Hannifin: Parker Hannifin is a broad incumbent in motion and control technologies, with precision positioning and electromechanical systems serving semiconductor, medical, and industrial automation customers that overlap with Aerotech's primary segments.
• Siemens Digital Industries: Siemens offers a broad industrial automation portfolio (SIMOTION, SINAMICS) covering motion controllers, drives, and PLCs for factory automation. It is a broad incumbent that competes with Aerotech at the controller/driver layer in larger factory-automation deals.
• Rockwell Automation: Rockwell Automation is a broad incumbent in industrial automation with motion control products (Allen-Bradley) and a global services footprint. It overlaps with Aerotech in industrial motion applications, particularly in factory-automation customers.

Emerging players

• Thorlabs: Thorlabs manufactures photonics, optics, and motion-control components including stages, optical mounts, and gimbals for research and OEM photonics customers. It is an emerging/comparable player in precision motion for photonics and life-sciences applications, with partial product overlap in gimbals and optical mounts.

Others

• Keysight Technologies: Keysight provides test, measurement, and photonics-related instrumentation including optical test solutions for data center and semiconductor customers. It is adjacent to Aerotech through overlap in test & inspection and photonics-aligned customer programs, but does not directly compete in motion control.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/aerotechmotion
• YouTubeyoutube.com/aerotechmotion
• Facebookfacebook.com/aerotechmotion
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aerotech-inc-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Aerotech