What is the Difference between a Gantry System and a Split-Bridge?
Gantry motion systems?and split bridge motion systems are often used in industrial production, testing, and additive manufacturing.?A gantry usually consists of a base plate (often granite) and two parallel rails (for the Y-axis, usually linear motor-driven), and a cross axis (bridge axis) riding on the two lower motor-driven linear rails.
A vertical axis can be added on the bridge axis to provide Z-motion.?Gantry systems are very useful, when overhead motion is required and a sample cannot be moved – typical for 3D printing processes where the printed sample needs to be stationary for maximum stability and accuracy.?Also, when a large sample needs to be mounted to a very flat surface, the gantry has an advantage, especially when a precision ground granite base is used. Another advantage of a gantry system is the possibility to compensate for orthogonality errors. This requires a smart motion controller that can drive the two parallel motors independently, generating a virtual rotation axis (Theta-Z) that can be used for error mapping.
Split Bridge
A Split Bridge system can be less complex than a traditional gantry system because synchronization of the two lower linear axes is not required.?Either an XY stage is used on the bottom with a Z stage mounted on a fixed bridge, or the X and Y motion stages can be split, with the Y axis on the bottom and the X-axis mounted on the fixed bridge. A vertical axis can also be mounted on the X-axis.
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A split bridge can be used when the sample to be tested or manufactured does not have to be stationary or does not require to be mounted on a large, extremely flat base.
Customized Designs
Most Gantry Systems are specifically adapted to each application. Customizations include travel ranges, Z-stages, cable management, threaded insert locations, welded bases, and vibration isolation systems.
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