High-Precision Motion Advisory

Motion expertise for applications where tolerance is everything

CB Consulting helps engineers and project teams in laser, additive manufacturing, and semiconductor applications spec the right motion system — before the wrong one ends up on the floor. Independent advice. No supplier agenda. Delivered as a professional report your team can act on.

Start a Conversation Where do you start?
X Y ±2.5μm corner vel: 2.4 m/s accel: 8 m/s² origin target
20+
Years in precision motion
Sub-μm
Application experience
100%
Vendor-neutral, fee-only

Where are you in your project?

We meet you where you are

You don't need a fully defined project to reach out. Pick the stage that best describes where you are and we'll scope the right engagement.

Stage 1
Exploring options

I'm not sure what motion technology my application needs

You have an application concept but no motion system spec yet. You need guidance on technology level, architecture, and realistic cost before you go further.

Start here
Stage 2
Developing specs

I have requirements but need help translating them into motion specs

You know your accuracy, speed, and throughput targets. You need those translated into motor class, gearbox type, feedback architecture, and a defensible component spec.

Start here
Stage 3
Ready for sizing

I have application data and need a full sizing analysis

You have load, inertia, speed, and accuracy data per axis. You need a complete sizing analysis with component guidance, safety factor validation, and budget range.

Start here
Stage 4
Verification check

I have a sizing done and want an independent review before I commit

You've done your own sizing or received a supplier recommendation. You want an independent set of eyes to validate it before you issue a PO or commit to a design.

Start here

Applications

Where precision isn't optional

We focus on applications where motion system selection directly determines product quality, throughput, and yield.

Laser cutting & marking

Speed and accuracy — simultaneously

High-speed laser systems demand precise velocity control, minimal following error, and thermal stability across long duty cycles. A wrong inertia ratio or inadequate feedback resolution shows up immediately in cut quality, edge finish, and kerf width. We help you spec axes that can keep up with the beam.

Following error Velocity ripple Thermal drift High-cycle duty Gantry dynamics
X-axis rail Laser head Beam focal pt. Work surface Positioning axis — X ±μm following error tolerance

Metal additive manufacturing

Layer quality lives in the motion system

LPBF and DED systems require ultra-smooth, low-vibration axes for beam positioning and recoater motion. Servo stiffness, backlash, and thermal growth all directly affect layer quality, part density, and dimensional accuracy. We help platform developers and end users spec axes that produce consistent results at build temperature.

LPBF / DED Low vibration Thermal stability Recoater motion Z-axis precision
Build chamber Laser source Galvo Melt pool Z axis Recoater Layer n Layer n-1 Layer thickness: 20–100μm

Semiconductor & inspection

Sub-micron accuracy at production throughput

Wafer handling, die bonding, and optical inspection systems operate at the intersection of extreme accuracy and high throughput. Stage design, vibration isolation, feedback architecture, and thermal compensation require careful, application-specific selection. There is no margin for error — and no room for a rep's educated guess.

Sub-micron accuracy Wafer handling Stage design Vibration isolation Thermal comp
Granite base / isolation Y stage X stage Wafer Optics head Positioning resolution: <10nm

Polymer & specialty 3D printing

Platform design decisions that last a product lifetime

From FDM to SLA to multi-material jetting, print quality lives and dies on motion system consistency. We help OEMs developing new platforms determine the right technology level, spec their axes, and build a component budget before committing to a design. Getting this wrong at the prototype stage is expensive. Getting it wrong at production scale is worse.

FDM / SLA / MJF OEM platform dev Tech level guidance Budget development Motion architecture
X-axis rail Printhead Filament Z Layer repeatability: ±5–25μm typical

What we do

Three things, done well

Every engagement starts with a conversation. From there, we scope exactly what you need — nothing more.

01.

Spec development & budget guidance

You're early in the design process and need to know what motion technology is appropriate, what it will cost, and what the tradeoffs are. We build that picture for you — in writing, with rationale.

02.

Sizing & selection consulting

You have application data and need a defensible motion system recommendation. We run the analysis — load, inertia, accuracy, duty cycle, environment — and deliver a complete sizing report with component guidance.

03.

Vendor connection & RFQ support

You know what you need and want help finding the right supplier and getting a competitive quote. We help you write the RFQ, evaluate responses, and connect you with the right motion control companies — without being on anyone's payroll.

How it works

A straightforward process built around your timeline

1

You reach out

Send a brief description of your application and where you are in the design process. No form, no intake questionnaire.

2

Discovery call

We talk through your application, accuracy requirements, environment, timeline, and budget. No charge for this call.

3

Scoped proposal

You receive a flat-fee proposal for a defined deliverable. No hourly surprises. You decide whether to proceed.

4

Report delivery

We deliver a professional written report with our analysis, recommendations, component guidance, and budget ranges. You own it completely.

"Fee-only means we work for you — not the supplier."

CB Consulting charges a flat consulting fee directly to the client. We accept no referral fees, commissions, or supplier payments of any kind.

That means when we recommend a technology or a vendor, it's because it's right for your application — not because it's right for our margin.

You get an independent expert in your corner. The suppliers compete for your business on merit.

What you receive

A report your team can act on

Every engagement produces a written deliverable — not a slide deck, not a verbal recommendation. Something you can take to procurement, engineering, or your board.

Application summary

Documents the key parameters — axis count, speed, acceleration, positioning accuracy, duty cycle, environment.

Technology assessment

Defines the appropriate motion technology level — servo class, feedback type, drive architecture, gearbox or direct drive.

Sizing analysis

Load and inertia calculations, safety factor analysis, duty cycle validation, and accuracy budget breakdown per axis.

Component guidance

Specific component class recommendations — motor frame, gearbox ratio and backlash class, drive sizing, feedback resolution.

Budget range

Realistic motion system cost estimates by axis and in total, based on current market pricing.

Vendor recommendations

Where relevant, 2–3 suppliers whose product lines are well-matched to your application — with context on each.

CB Consulting
MOTION SYSTEM ANALYSIS REPORT
CONFIDENTIAL
Laser Cutting Platform
3-Axis Gantry · High-Speed · ±5μm Positioning
Application summary
Technology assessment
Recommendation: Precision servo + planetary gearbox
Sizing analysis — X axis
Budget range

Who we serve

Early-stage to established

Machine OEMs & platform developers

Building a new laser, additive, or inspection platform and need to spec the motion system before committing to a mechanical design. We help you get the architecture right the first time.

Startups & R&D teams

Early-stage companies building capital equipment who need a credible motion system spec for investor presentations, prototype budgets, or first production runs — without hiring a full-time motion engineer.

Engineering & procurement teams

Established manufacturers who need an independent second opinion on a supplier recommendation, a motion system upgrade, or a persistent performance problem they haven't been able to resolve internally.

Get started

Tell us what you're building

The first conversation is free.