Gantry motion system for inspection, assembly, and 3D printing

Physik Instrumente’s (PI) new compact XY/XYZ gantry motion system provides overhead motion for industrial automation applications in assembly, pick-and-place, alignment, inspection, and custom 3D printer design. The A-351 compact gantry is designed and manufactured in the USA by PI’s air bearing & precision motion division in Hopkinton, MA.

The A-351 gantry motion system is related to the A-341 hybrid air-bearing gantry. Driven by linear motors and guided by precision mechanical linear bearings, the system provides high speed and accuracy, at a lower price compared to its air bearings-based counterpart. Advanced absolute linear encoders increase accuracy and reduce start-up time by rendering homing procedures unnecessary. The integrated ironless linear motors eliminate cogging, providing smoother motion without vibration and better velocity control. The highest motion performance and easy integration with factory automation systems is guaranteed with an ACS-based motion controller with EtherCat connectivity.

For applications requiring a motorized vertical axis, several Z-stage options are available, with either screw-driven platforms or linear motors and pneumatic counterbalance. Other customizations, such as mounting platforms for vision systems or dispensers, are also offered.

Features of the gantry motion system include:

• Standard XY travel ranges from 300 x 300 to 500 x 1000 mm
• Absolute encoders, 1 nanometer resolution
• Z-Stage options: linear motors or ball screws
• Dynamic error mapping with ACS motion controller
• High velocity: Up to 2 m/sec on the cross axis
• Cable carrier option, e-chain
• Water cooling option for high acceleration/high duty-cycle applications

The A-351 overhead gantry motion system is available with a range of industry-leading ACS motion controllers/drives that offer superior servo performance, advanced control algorithms to improve dynamic performance and error compensation specifically for gantries, and a wide suite of software development tools.

For more information, visit www.pi-usa.us/en.