A 2-axis gantry robot, also known as a cartesian robot with two degrees of freedom, is an industrial automation system that moves its tool or gripper along two linear, perpendicular axes. It operates within a rectangular, two-dimensional plane, making it ideal for processes that only require movement across a flat surface.
Axes and Movement
A 2-axis gantry robot is typically configured with two of the three main Cartesian axes:
X-Axis (Horizontal/Lateral): Provides movement along the primary, longer axis of the work envelope.
Y-Axis (Transverse/Depth): Provides movement perpendicular to the X-axis, defining the width or depth of the work envelope.
In this configuration, the robot cannot move up or down (it lacks the Z-axis). This makes it simpler, faster, and often more cost-effective than a 3-axis system for planar tasks.
Key Components
The components are similar to a 3-axis system but simplified:
Gantry/Frame: A rigid, usually overhead, structural frame that supports the moving axes.
Linear Rails: Hardened rails or tracks that guide the motion of the carriages along the X and Y axes.
Drive Mechanisms: Typically belt-driven actuators (for speed and light loads) or ball screws (for precision and stiffness) powered by servo motors.
Servo Motors: Provide the controlled power and movement for each axis, often with encoders for precise positioning feedback.
End-of-Arm Tooling (EOAT): The tool (e.g., glue dispenser, cutter, vision camera, or simple gripper) is attached directly to the Y-axis carriage.
Common Applications
2-axis gantry robots are specialized for tasks that occur on a single plane:
Dispensing: Precisely applying glue, sealant, or paint across a flat surface.
Cutting/Marking: Operating a laser or knife to cut patterns into large sheets of material (e.g., fabric, metal, plastic).
Inspection: Moving a camera or sensor across a large flat panel (like a PCB or display screen) for visual inspection.
High-Speed Pick-and-Place (Planar): Quickly moving small, light objects across a table surface (e.g., sorting micro-components).
