Wobble Sticks

Wobble sticks are designed for situations where small samples need to be transferred a short distance and where both angular,, linear and rotational motion is needed. They are usually fitted with a tool designed for handling flag-style sample holders, either by a pincer or rotation  mechanism. A parking station is usually included to prevent the wobble stick being sucked inwards into the chamber by the vacuum force when not in use.

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Wobble Sticks

Wobble sticks are designed for situations where small samples need to be transferred a short distance and where both angular,, linear and rotational motion is needed. They are usually fitted with a tool designed for handling flag-style sample holders, either by a pincer or rotation  mechanism. A parking station is usually included to prevent the wobble stick being sucked inwards into the chamber by the vacuum force when not in use.

Key Features


  • DN40CF mounting flange (widest possible flange tube recommended for maximum angular range)
  • Typical rotation 360º
  • Typical angular range +/-22º with option for +/-28º
  • Travel range options from 50-300mm
  • Option for actuation of a pincer
  • Option for pincer at right-angles to rod axis

Wobble Sticks

Wobble sticks are designed for situations where small samples need to be transferred a short distance and where both angular,, linear and rotational motion is needed. They are usually fitted with a tool designed for handling flag-style sample holders, either by a pincer or rotation  mechanism. A parking station is usually included to prevent the wobble stick being sucked inwards into the chamber by the vacuum force when not in use.

Key Features


  • DN40CF mounting flange (widest possible flange tube recommended for maximum angular range)
  • Typical rotation 360º
  • Typical angular range +/-22º with option for +/-28º
  • Travel range options from 50-300mm
  • Option for actuation of a pincer
  • Option for pincer at right-angles to rod axis

VBMDWS Series Magnetically-Coupled Wobble Sticks (1 rotation, 1 linear axis)

Our VBMDWS series wobble sticks are designed to provide linear, tilt and rotation axes for applications where a pincer is not required. Typically they are fitted with a SPECS-style transfer tool for flag style sample holders with a 90º release/engage mechanism which can be provided optionally as part of the package. These wobble sticks include a parking station and stop ring.

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VBMDWS2 Series Magnetically-Coupled Wobble Sticks (1 linear, 2 rotation axes)

Our VBMDWS2 series wobble sticks are designed to provide linear, tilt and dual rotation axes. These wobble sticks include a parking station but no transfer tool.

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VBMDWSZ Series Magnetically-Coupled Wobble Sticks (1 rotation, 2 linear axis, optional linear or 90º pincer)

Our VBMDWSZ series wobble sticks are designed to provide linear, tilt and one rotation axis. There is an additional short travel inner linear axis designed to actuate an optional pincer tool to grab flag-style samples. These wobble sticks include a parking station and stop ring.

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VBMDJS40 Series Magnetically-Coupled Transfer Rod with pincer and port aligner

Our VBMDJS40 series transfer rods have a design similar to a wobble stick but have a set-and-forget integral port aligner for angular alignment. They are designed for longer travel applications where a pincer actuator is preferred, but which would be too long for a wobble stick to be a sensible solution.  They provide a linear and rotation axis and actuation for the pincer.

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VBSTWS Series Mechanically-Coupled Wobble Sticks (no rotation, 1 linear axis)

Our VBSTWS series wobble sticks are designed to provide linear and tilt motion only. No rotation is possible due to the fixed mechanical coupling with the  external actuator. These wobble sticks have a significant price advantage in applications where no rotation is needed, and the lack of a magnet may also be important in some situations. A longer internal bellows is necessary for the linear and tilt motion, compared to the MDWS series where only a short bellows is required to facilitate the tilt motion. The larger surface area of this bellows may lead to greater outgassing during motion, and it’s minimum in-vacuum length is necessarily longer than the magnetically coupled equivalent travel.

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VBSWS Series Mechanically-Coupled Short Wobble Sticks (no rotation, 1 linear axis)

Our VBSWS series wobble sticks are a more compact alternative to the STWS series and are designed to provide linear and tilt motion only. No rotation is possible due to the fixed mechanical coupling with the  external actuator. These wobble sticks have a significant price advantage in applications where no rotation and a short travel is needed, and the lack of a magnet may also be important in some situations.

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