Ceiling-mounted linear module saves floor space for part transport

Situation

Automation products manufacturer Güdel recently had a customer with an application that required transporting extremely fragile parts quickly between workstations. Because of the delicate nature of the parts and the speed and repeatability with which they needed to be moved, the manufacturer’s ZP-3 double-axis linear module would have been suitable, except for one thing: Floor space in the factory was very limited, and there was no way to mount the gantry using standard legs without interfering with the work flow between the cells.

With no room on the floor, the applications engineers went straight to work on a ceiling mount for the equipment, but that came with some challenges. Several factors need to be considered when mounting a 2-ton piece of equipment to a ceiling that was designed simply to conceal the supports for the floor above it. The ceiling supports and trusses needed to be reinforced to support the weight of the equipment.

And because the equipment is moving, vibration presented another challenge. Repeatability was also a big concern, as the highly automated manufacturing process required picking up and dropping off very fragile parts.

Resolution

Güdel engineers worked directly with architects and civil engineers to create a system that would not only support the heavy equipment, but also provide the stability required for repeatability in the manufacturing process. The manufacturer used a standard ZP-3 double-axis linear module, along with standard legs modified to mount the gantry in the opposite direction.

Even with all of the professionals and customization required to complete this project, costs remained low, and mounting from the ceiling proved to be the best option.