Gantry loaders are usually used to load workpieces into machine tools. They are made up of a plinth, horizontal axis, travelling cart, vertical axis, clamping head, and in some cases special accessories.
The plinth is made of thick-walled steel profiles and may have two or three supports.
The horizontal axis comprises a thick-walled steel profile which contains channels for guide rails. The rollers for the travelling cart run in these. The travelling cart is prevented from over-running by firmly anchored buffers on the horizontal axis.
The travelling cart moves the gantry loaders in a horizontal and vertical direction. It houses most of the working parts of the facility. Two geared servomotors are designed to position both axes, while a set of terminal sensors checks the position of functional components and other mechanical groups such as the lubrication or the safety lock preventing the vertical axis from falling, ensuring the sub-functions essential for the proper running of the facility.
Depending on the working stroke of the vertical axis, the requirements concerning loading precision and the requirements for the dynamic parameters of the facility as a whole we choose either a cogged belt or a cogged rack to drive the vertical axis.
The aluminium profile with guidance channels and linear roller guide are the most important parts of the vertical axis. The fact that they are sufficiently rigid ensures precise loading and helps to prevent breakdown.
