Products - PI (Physik Instrumente) L.P.
Hybrid Gantry Positioning System Combines Air Bearings, Linear Bearings and Linear Motors for Compact Size, High Speed & Accuracy
PI’s novel gantry stage features a unique hybrid bearing design. The cross axis utilizes a frictionless air bearing guiding system, which allows for excellent velocity control, repeatability, straightness, and cleanliness. The lower dual-motor axis uses precision mechanical linear bearings for rigidity and reduced size. This combination of bearing technologies offers an overhead gantry motion platform optimized for step and scan applications in the smallest possible form factor. Absolute measuring encoders render homing procedures unnecessary and ironless linear motors eliminate cogging, providing smoother motion without vibration and better velocity control.
More Information on Gantry Systems, A-341 HGS A-341 Drawing
Optional Z-Axis
An optional vertical axis (Z-stage) with either ballscrew drive or linear motor and pneumatic counterbalance can be integrated with the gantry cross axis.
Features of the hybrid gantry system include:
- 300x300 to 500x1000mm
- XY travel
- Absolute encoders, 1nm resolution
- Z-Stage options: linear motors or ball screws
- Dynamic error mapping
- 2m/sec max velocity (cross axis)
- Cable carrier option, e-chain
- Water cooling option for high acceleration / high duty cycle applications
Industry-Leading Motion Controllers
The HGS Gantry is coupled with industry-leading ACS controls and 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.
A-352 Large Gantry Motion System 1x2m»
Gantry Positioning Systems from PI
For more technical information and application support on high precision gantry positioning systems with mechanical bearings and air bearings, please contact a PI engineer directly.
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What is a Gantry Positioning System?
Motion-centric systems, engineered for multi-axis operation with a moving overhead bridge are often called “Gantry System”. These types of precision motion systems are found in applications related to Automation, Digital Printing, 3D Printing, Scanning, Electronics Assembly and AOI (Automatic Optical Inspection). In general, a Gantry System provides an ideal solution when the workpiece must remain static with access from above. Linear-motor-driven gantries are used for highly dynamic, 24/7 processes, that necessitate high throughput and high precision.
Integrated Gantry Construction vs Discrete Stages
Typical gantry-type overhead positioning systems designed by PI consist of a combination of several components at different levels of integration. For the highest performance, gantry systems are completely integrated, with bearing rails on granite, or air bearings. If demands on precision and performance are lower, gantries can be built from individual discrete linear stages. For optimum operation, specific gantry algorithms embedded in the motion controller can control Theta-Z motion and process information from multiple encoders per axis. As part of a complex design and manufacturing process, each component therefore needs to be carefully selected to fulfill the goal of the specific task at hand.
Performance Motion Designed for your Needs
Every PI Gantry System is individually designed and tested to align with your unique specifications and needs. With the capacity for in-house design and production, our prior experience and pre-existing modules serve to notably expedite development times. By leveraging these strengths, we guarantee that our systems are adaptable, user-friendly, and swift to implement, no matter the volume required.
