Queensgate Instruments

Queensgate manufactures high-speed, high-precision piezo stages and actuators that enable today’s disruptive technologies. We specialize in customized piezo stages, capacitive sensors, and systems with low picometer resolutions and high load capacity for demanding nanopositioning applications in industry and automated microscopy. Queensgate was founded in 1979 to commercialise research from Imperial College London and were the first to market with capacitive sensors for high-precision positioning, launching a range of nanopositioning products for use in microscopy in 1985. We followed this with digital control for improved accuracy, and calibrations stored on the stage for full interchangeability of stage and controller. Continued innovation allows our nanopositioning stages to operate at bandwidths over 40% of the stage resonant frequency. This is four to five times faster than similar systems. In 2018, the company was acquired by Prior Scientific Instruments Ltd, a global leader in the development of precision motion, automation and optical systems, sub-systems and components. Today, Queensgate offers customized solutions that help our customers solve the most challenging applications from validating and testing of the latest semiconductor materials, to rapidly identifying new diseases and pathogens. Working from our ISO 9001:2015 certified locations in Cambridge and Paignton, our engineers partner with customers to produce innovative nanopositioning products which continue to exceed expectations and push the barriers of what is possible.