When should use gantry robots ?

Any type of robot can be used to automate tasks requiring high repetition. Industrial automation can optimize production, reduce workplace injuries, and allow employees to focus on other tasks, such as quality control. Specifically, gantry robots are ideal when precise handling and transport of large or heavy objects are required, or when objects need to be manipulated over a large area.

Gantry Robots are primarily used forpick-and-place applications, but they have also been applied to a variety of tasks, including:

Palletizing • Depalletizing • Machine loading and unloading • Work-in-process management • End-of-line operations • Material handling • Machine operation • Sorting and storage • Packaging

Common Gantry Robot Applications

Multi-line palletizing is one of the most common tasks requiring automation.

Essentially, this type of system can simultaneously build palletized goods for multiple product lines, which can be directly delivered to the end user or distribution center. Products can be transported to the robot via dedicated conveyors for specific products or via a mainline that transports multiple products. When using a multi-product mainline, sorting conveyors divert individual products to pre-defined pallet stacking lanes. The robot receives product information from each aisle and constructs a corresponding stacking pattern for each product.

Gantry robots are one of the best solutions for multi-line pallet stacking scenarios. Multiple stacking locations and product feed aisles occupy significant space, requiring the robot to have a suitable working range to reach all feed aisles and stacking locations. A gantry robot only needs a single robot head to provide sufficient travel to serve multiple production lines. In contrast, fixed robotic arms have limited range of motion and can only stack pallets for a few adjacent production lines. However, some solutions utilize robotic arms mounted on tracks or other moving platforms. In these cases, the robotic arm effectively becomes the end effector of the gantry robot. Due to its fully customizable working range and simple mechanical structure, gantry robots are well-suited for multi-line palletizing scenarios.