Machine Nation News Team
June 10, 2025 at 10:15:00 AM
PI (Physik Instrumente), A Global Provider Of Precision Motion Control And Nanopositioning Systems, Is Progressing In The Construction Of Its New Production Facility In Shrewsbury, Massachusetts
PI (Physik Instrumente), a global leader in precision motion control and nanopositioning systems, is advancing the construction of its new 140,000-square-foot production facility at 440 Hartford Turnpike, Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, with a scheduled opening in fall 2025. Announced on January 25, 2024, and breaking ground on February 27, 2024, the $60 million facility will triple the combined space of PI’s current New England sites in Auburn, Hopkinton, and Nashua, consolidating operations to produce precision motion systems, air bearings, and piezoelectric transducers for aerospace, photonics, and semiconductor industries. The plant is expected to create 100 high-tech jobs, boosting Greater Boston’s 60,000-strong manufacturing workforce, and targets a $10 billion motion control market. Supported by state incentives, the project aligns with tariff-driven reshoring under President Trump’s 10% tariffs, mitigating import risks noted in PI’s supply chain strategy. CEO Markus Spanner emphasized the facility’s role in “enhancing U.S.-based innovation” for high-growth sectors.
For the precision machining industry, PI’s facility underscores the critical role of backlash in manufacturing motion control systems. Components like linear stages and actuator housings require CNC milling with minimal backlash—typically under 0.0002 inches—to ensure nanoscale positioning accuracy. 5-axis milling machines, calibrated to eliminate backlash through precise tool paths, achieve tolerances within ±0.0005 inches and surface roughness as low as Ra 4 µin for automated production with real-time quality control. The facility’s scale drives demand for local machine shops to supply precision tooling, adopting Industry 4.0 technologies like AI-driven milling and additive manufacturing. As part of a $50 billion precision manufacturing market, this project creates opportunities for suppliers in Massachusetts, where manufacturing jobs grew 2% since 2022, strengthening supply chains for high-precision industries.
Source:
PI (Physik Instrumente) Press Release, April 23, 2025
Source:
Aerospace Manufacturing and Design
Social Media Buzz (powered by X):
X is excited about PI’s Shrewsbury facility, with posts on May 18, 2025, calling it a “precision powerhouse” for Massachusetts. Users praised the 100 jobs, with one noting “Shrewsbury’s tech hub grows,” while another tied it to “reshoring innovation.” The buzz reflects optimism for economic growth and advanced manufacturing.
What is the Backlash?
This is one of many key terms of our broad Machine Nation Essential Modern Precision Industries Guidebook (MPIG). Click here to get a copy straight to your inbox.
Backlash - The unintended movement or play in a CNC milling machine’s mechanical components, critical to minimize for achieving high precision in component production
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Related Tags:
#PhysikInstrumente #ShrewsburyMA #Backlash #PrecisionMachining #MotionControl #Reshoring