Vee guide design versatility provides efficient installation of gantry systems

Mounting structures Steel beam structures are traditionally used to provide high levels of rigidity but they often require machining of box sections with welded pads fitted. Recirculating guides are then fitted with a separate rack set parallel to the guide. HDS2 XYZ axes are made from high strength aluminium with the cross section size selected to suit the demands of the load, and provide suitable rigidity with a level of compliance. Joining steel beams to make long axes and lining up guide rails can be challenging as there is little margin for error with such a rigid set up. Making 40 metre long systems with HDS2 aluminium beams can be achieved by simply fixing together the beam internal steel joining plates that enable the guidance systems to readily line up. Guidance Systems HDS2 incorporates components to provide the guidance and compliance all in one set up. Where two beams are positioned in parallel, vee slides and flat tracks are used with vee bearings and rollers that will take up any inaccuracies in parallelism. Both vee guides and flat tracks have the added advantage of having the driving rack cut into the guide, eradicating the need to set a separate rack.