Low-cost gantry system suits medium-precision, medium-duty tasks

The design is based on Heason's PLA lead screw actuators that feature an extruded aluminium housing and a robust linear motion guide support bearing system in a compact modular package that enables Cartesian XY and XYZ positioning systems to be designed and built quickly and effectively. The standard range will accommodate X and Y travel to 300mm with a Z axis travel of 75mm.

Heason can supply the microstepping motor-driven actuator assemblies complete with drives, motion controls, cable management, overtravel and datum switches. Further customisation options can include motor-mounted encoders for position verification, handwheels for manual positioning, pick-and-place grippers, and application-specific fixtures. The T-slot housings are assembled using simple clamping nuts that enable the combined actuators to be assembled in almost any orientation.

The positioning resolution on each axis of the low-cost gantry positioning system is determined by the choice of 1mm or 6.35mm pitch lead screws and is typically between 5 and 25 microns, depending upon the microstepping motor resolution used. Positioning repeatability is specified to 0.025mm on each axis and maximum traverse speeds are up to 50mm/s.

Synchronisation of the parallel base supporting axes is achieved using a simple but effective timing belt to ensure that both axes are driven simultaneously with no tendency to crab. The design can also be applied for vertical systems without the need for a counterbalance.

Heason Technology's core expertise and focus is in providing best-in-class motion control components and complete engineered motion systems to a broad range of customers in industrial, commercial, biomedical, laboratory automation, military and aerospace markets. The new low-cost gantry positioning systems illustrates the company's expertise in mechanical design, electrical and control design, software and systems integration.