Aerotech has released a new range of long-travel XY Cartesian gantry systems with exceptional specifications for high throughput/high precision contouring. With velocity to 3 m/s and acceleration to 5g, the new AGS15000 combines direct-drive linear servomotors and high load capacity linear motion guide bearings in a planar open frame design that is adaptable for a wide range of applications. Four travel range options are available from 500 mm to 1250 mm per axis and a choice of linear encoders offer positioning resolution from 1 micron to 1 nanometre using Aerotech’s multiplier technology. Depending upon the travel range selected, axis repeatability is between to ±0.5 to ±1.25 microns and accuracy from ±1.5 to ±3.0 microns.
The AGS15000 gantry can be supplied as a stand-alone system with e-chain cable management and Aerotech motion controls for direct mounting on the customers’ machine, or can be delivered on a granite baseplate with optional welded steel machine base. Turnkey motion solutions extend to Z axes and Theta rotary stages, with fixtures and component handling mechanics to suit.
The AGS15000 is aimed at high precision contouring and high speed pick & place positioning applications such as stencil cutting, flat sheet processing and automated assembly systems. Provision is made for risers to accommodate the working height requirements of dispensing stations and high-accuracy vision inspection systems. A fully sealed version of the AGS series is also available for applications such as laser micromachining where bearings, linear motors and encoders may be vulnerable to process produced debris.
The complete range covers four models with X-Y travel of 500 mm, 750 mm, 1000 mm, and 1250 mm in a ruggedized design where the parallel base axis linear motors and linear encoders are placed outside of the work area, making the gantry less susceptible to debris-induced damage. Linear motion guide bearings include wipers and grease fittings and are selected and fitted to suit the application; ensuring optimal stiffness and load distribution whilst maintaining smoothness for the job in hand. The maximum load capacity for the range is 40.0 kg depending upon acceleration and dynamic requirements.
The AGS15000 uses Aerotech’s BLM and BLMH series brushless linear servomotors for extremely smooth motion and excellent in-position stability. The motors feature an ironless forcer with zero cogging and generate the highest force per unit volume of any competitive linear motor design. Durable non-contact optical encoders with thermal expansion compensation available at the controller ensure the gantry returns a high accuracy under varying operating conditions. The combination of non contacting motors and encoder technologies provides a low maintenance and extremely long life capability for the AGS15000
To maintain the AGS15000’s high throughput performance and high precision contouring capability, Aerotech offers a range of motion controls including the A3200 Digital Automation Platform; a decentralised and fully deterministic PC based motion and machine control system for up to 32 axes which is used in combination with FireWire networked Ndrive digital amplifiers. Its advanced features include trajectory generation with multi-block look ahead to minimise geometry errors in tight profiles by precise regulation of speed and position.
Also available, Position Synchronised Output or PSO is used to maintain precise synchronisation between exact real-time axis positions and the customers’ equipment, with the ability to dynamically control third party equipment such as laser pulse, power and firing characteristics during motion. Where optimised throughput performance for complex motion profiles is required, users can benefit from Aerotech’s Motion Designer software which includes trajectory analysis tools and iterative learning control algorithms that both reduce profile following errors and significantly improve cycle times for contouring applications.