Interview with Mr. Fun Chee Hoe, Field Sales Engineer, Aerotech Inc. Evolving Precision: How Motion Control is Powering the Future of Industry

1. Precision motion technology has come a long way. In your view, how has the definition of “precision” evolved over the last decade—and what does it mean today?

If we look back about a decade ago, precision was often defined at the micron level — achieving micro-level accuracy was considered advanced. But today, that benchmark has shifted dramatically.

We’re now talking about nanometrelevel control, which has become the new standard in high-performance motion systems. It’s also no longer just about accuracy alone. Maintaining precision at

speed and under dynamic load conditions is equally important — meaning that even when everything is in motion, stability and consistency must be maintained.

At Aerotech, our approach goes beyond improving positioning accuracy. We focus on enabling process-level precision — ensuring that every motion contributes directly to higher yield and better performance for our customers. That’s ultimately what today’s definition of precision is all about: not just meeting expectations, but exceeding them through smarter, more integrated motion control.

2. Which industries are currently pushing the boundaries of precision motion, and how is Aerotech helping them meet those demands?

I would say almost every industry is driving us to new levels of precision — from semiconductors and medical devices to even our colleagues in research and advanced manufacturing. Each sector

has its own unique requirements and challenges. At Aerotech, we focus on delivering application-specific motion solutions that address those exact needs.

Whether it’s for flexible electronics, precision assembly, or complex inspection systems, our technologies are designed to give customers the accuracy, flexibility, and throughput they need to stay ahead in their markets.

3. Aerotech’s Automation1 platform has been described as a gamechanger. What sets it apart, and how has it improved integration and performance for your customers?

It’s not just the Automation1 software itself — it’s the fact that it’s a unified hardware and software platform. This integration makes system setup much simpler and significantly reduces the time it takes for customers to get their systems up and running. With Automation1, everything works seamlessly together.

Our controller manages multiple stages simultaneously, eliminating the complexity that often comes with stitching together components from different vendors. In short, it provides a complete, coordinated motion control ecosystem that enhances performance, reliability, and ease of use for our customers.

4. High speed and high precision don’t always go hand in hand. How does Aerotech strike a balance between the two in fast-paced production environments?

The key lies in truly understanding our customers’ requirements at a very detailed level. Every application has its own priorities — some demand extreme speed, while others require unwavering stability. By analysing these needs closely, we can fine-tune our systems to deliver the optimal balance between speed and precision. Our control architecture allows us to identify where acceleration can be pushed and where motion stability must take priority, minimising any potential loss in performance. In short, we don’t just choose between speed or precision — we engineer our solutions so customers can achieve both, seamlessly.

5. With Southeast Asia becoming a major manufacturing hub—and in light of rising US tariffs—how is Aerotech supporting companies in the region to stay competitive globally?

It’s true that the global manufacturing landscape is changing rapidly, and no one can fully predict what advantages or challenges the future may bring. However, what we can do — and what Aerotech is focused on — is helping our customers build resilience and agility into their operations.

By offering highperformance motion control systems that enhance productivity, precision, and consistency, we enable manufacturers in Southeast Asia to compete on a global scale, regardless of market fluctuations. Our local engineering and support teams also work closely with customers to ensure their production lines remain efficient, adaptable, and ready to respond to new trade dynamics or industry shifts.

6. Looking ahead, what’s the next big thing in precision motion? What opportunities—or challenges— should manufacturers be preparing for?

One of the biggest shifts we’re seeing is in advanced packaging and photonics, where precision motion requirements are becoming increasingly complex. These industries demand not only ultra-high accuracy but also real-time optimisation and adaptive control to maintain performance across varying conditions.

We’re also seeing a growing need for intelligent motion control — systems that can automatically tune themselves to optimise objectives such as speed, accuracy, and stability. Precision today isn’t limited to mechanical control anymore; it now includes timing synchronisation, environmental stability, and coordination across multiple systems.

For manufacturers, this means preparing for a future where success depends on integrating smarter, data-driven motion solutions that can evolve alongside their production challenges. I’d like to share an example from one of our major OEM customers. They’ve successfully combined high-precision alignment with industrial-scale throughput, thanks to our modular, multi–degree-of-freedom platforms and out-of-the-box alignment tools.

These solutions enable customers to achieve production targets with minimal development effort, shortening their time to market while maintaining exceptional precision and performance. It’s a great demonstration of how Aerotech’s technologies can seamlessly bridge the gap between research-level precision and full-scale manufacturing efficiency.