Cost-effective automation with maintenance-free linear robots

Contents

Gantry robot with a horizontal beam and two vertical axes.

What is a linear robot?

Linear robots are industrial robots consisting of a combination of several linear axes. They make it possible to realise a multi-dimensional movement and are used for positioning tasks, automation and as measuring stations. Gantry robots are available in numerous designs, including line gantries, flat linear robots and room linear robots.

Linear gantries are used in vertical working planes, with a linear axis mounted on a linear slide travelling along the main axis.
Flat linear robots, or area gantry robots, are based on a linear axis system that moves in the XY direction.
Area gantries are usually 3-axis gantries with an XYZ-stroke, although additional axes are possible.

What are typical application areas for linear robots?

Typical areas of application for linear robots include pick & place solutions, measurement and test automation, labelling applications, assembly cells, sorting machines, safety technology, laboratory and analysis technology, medical technology, handling, automation and positioning.

How much does a linear robot cost?

From a line robot from 1,183.90 euros to a surface gantry robot from 1,539.39 euros to a room gantry robot from 2,250.24 euros, igus® linear robots are favourably priced compared to other manufacturers. This is because igus® passes on the advantages of low-cost plastic injection moulding production to its customers.

What are the advantages of igus® linear robots?

Linear robots from igus® are based on the lubrication-free drive and linear technology of the drylin® product group. As a manufacturer and supplier of all required axes, motors, energy chains and cables, igus® offers fast delivery of linear robot kits as well as customised solutions.

As standard or according to your request

Standard linear robots in the most common sizes are ready for despatch from stock within 24 hours. Using the gantry configurator, you can specify individual stroke lengths or configure a customised gantry to suit your requirements.

Configuring linear robots

Gantry configurator on a laptop with portal system and orange work surface.

Configuring linear robots

maintenance-free linear robots in our customers' applications

Tailored linear robot systems for mobile XXL-3D printers

With the support of igus engineers, Actual implemented a mobile 3D printer in XXL format. This was used for the design of the innovative facade elements made of biodegradable plastic for the construction of the Dutch "Europe Building" in Amsterdam's marine district. Here, the modular system of the igus multi-axis linear robots is used: in this case, a room linear robot is used, in which the x-axis and y-axis have been implemented with drylin toothed belt units and the z-axis with drylin lead screw/nut systems.

Linear robots in the XXL 3D-printer

A linear robot in an XXL 3D printer places a part on the print bed.

Linear robots in filling machines of biochemical liquids

The Berlin-based company M2-Automation develops and builds equipment for the production of diagnostic systems and sample preparation under high chemical, hygiene and purity requirements. For the production of automated filling systems for chemical and biological liquids and suspensions in the picolitre and nanolitre range, the company required linear robots specially adapted to the laboratory environment. drylin linear robots met the selection criteria - lightweight, compact design, complete absence of lubricant, high speeds, positioning accuracy and not least the price/performance ratio convinced the customer. The use of polymer bearings in all places with moving parts make the room linear robot lubrication-free and therefore maintenance-free.

Modular linear robots in biochemical filling plants

drylin linear robot in a system with rails and a gripping surface.

Further application examples with linear robots

Here you will find further automation solutions that our customers have realised with the help of lubrication- and maintenance-free drive technology in the areas of handling, pick & place and positioning.

drylin drive technology application examples