Importance

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Abstract

A method of moving along a travel axis and in a selected direction a driven member comprising the steps of providing translation apparatus including a driver mounted in a fixed position relative to a base, the driver comprising selectably operable forward, center and rear elements coupled in series and associated with the driven member and being arranged parallel to the travel axis, the forward and rear elements comprising apparatus for clamping the driven member and the center element comprising apparatus for varying the distance between the forward and rear elements; and in a series of distinct steps, operating the forward, center and rear elements so as to cause movement of the driven member relative to the base including, steps of operation, partially overlapping in time, of the forward and center elements and the center and rear elements and steps of operation, non-overlapping in time, of the forward and rear elements.

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First Claim