1. Structure and movement mode
1.1 Gantry structure
1) Basic structure and movement mode
The whole system is like a “door”. The laser processing head moves along the “gantry” beam, and two motors drive the two columns of the gantry to move on the X-axis guide rail. The beam, as a load-bearing component, can achieve a large stroke, which makes the gantry equipment suitable for processing large-sized workpieces.
2) Structural rigidity and stability
The double support design ensures that the beam is evenly stressed and not easily deformed, thereby ensuring the stability of the laser output and cutting accuracy, and can achieve fast positioning and dynamic response to meet the requirements of high-speed processing. At the same time, its overall architecture provides high structural rigidity, especially when processing large-sized and thick workpieces.
1.2 Cantilever structure
1) Basic structure and movement mode
The cantilever equipment adopts a cantilever beam structure with single-side support. The laser processing head is suspended on the beam, and the other side is suspended, similar to a “cantilever arm”. Generally, the X-axis is driven by a motor, and the support device moves on the guide rail so that the processing head has a larger range of motion in the Y-axis direction.
2) Compact structure and flexibility
Due to the lack of support on one side in the design, the overall structure is more compact and occupies a small area. In addition, the cutting head has a larger operating space in the Y-axis direction, which can achieve more in-depth and flexible local complex processing operations, suitable for mold trial production, prototype vehicle development, and small and medium batch multi-variety and multi-variable production needs.
2. Comparison of advantages and disadvantages
2.1 Advantages and disadvantages of gantry machine tools
2.1.1 Advantages
1) Good structural rigidity and high stability
The double support design (a structure consisting of two columns and a beam) makes the processing platform rigid. During high-speed positioning and cutting, the laser output is highly stable, and continuous and precise processing can be achieved.
2) Large processing range
The use of a wider load-bearing beam can stably process workpieces with a width of more than 2 meters or even larger, which is suitable for high-precision processing of large-sized workpieces in aviation, automobiles, ships, etc.
2.1.2 Disadvantages
1) Synchronicity problem
Two linear motors are used to drive two columns. If synchronization problems occur during high-speed movement, the beam may be misaligned or diagonally pulled. This will not only reduce the processing accuracy, but may also cause damage to transmission components such as gears and racks, accelerate wear, and increase maintenance costs.
2) Large footprint
Gantry machine tools are large in size and can usually only load and unload materials along the X-axis direction, which limits the flexibility of automated loading and unloading and is not suitable for workplaces with limited space.
3) Magnetic adsorption problem
When a linear motor is used to drive the X-axis support and the Y-axis beam at the same time, the strong magnetism of the motor easily adsorbs metal powder on the track. The long-term accumulation of dust and powder may affect the operating accuracy and service life of the equipment. Therefore, mid-to-high-end machine tools are usually equipped with dust covers and table dust removal systems to protect transmission components.
2.2 Advantages and Disadvantages of Cantilever Machine Tools
2.2.1 Advantages
1) Compact structure and small footprint
Due to the single-side support design, the overall structure is simpler and more compact, which is convenient for use in factories and workshops with limited space.
2) Strong durability and reduced synchronization problems
Using only one motor to drive the X-axis avoids the synchronization problem between multiple motors. At the same time, if the motor remotely drives the rack and pinion transmission system, it can also reduce the problem of magnetic dust absorption.
3) Convenient feeding and easy automation transformation
The cantilever design allows the machine tool to feed from multiple directions, which is convenient for docking with robots or other automated conveying systems. It is suitable for mass production, while simplifying the mechanical design, reducing maintenance and downtime costs, and improving the use value of the equipment throughout its life cycle.
4) High flexibility
Due to the lack of obstructive support arms, under the same machine tool size conditions, the cutting head has a larger operating space in the Y-axis direction, can be closer to the workpiece, and achieve more flexible and localized fine cutting and welding, which is particularly suitable for mold manufacturing, prototype development, and precision machining of small and medium-sized workpieces.
2.2.2 Disadvantages
1) Limited processing range
Since the load-bearing crossbeam of the cantilever structure is suspended, its length is limited (generally not suitable for cutting workpieces with a width of more than 2 meters), and the processing range is relatively limited.
2) Insufficient high-speed stability
The single-sided support structure makes the center of gravity of the machine tool biased toward the support side. When the processing head moves along the Y axis, especially in high-speed operations near the suspended end, the change in the center of gravity of the crossbeam and the larger working torque are likely to cause vibration and fluctuation, posing a greater challenge to the overall stability of the machine tool. Therefore, the bed needs to have higher rigidity and vibration resistance to offset this dynamic impact.
3. Application occasions and selection suggestions
3.1 Gantry machine tool
Applicable to laser cutting processing with heavy loads, large sizes, and high precision requirements such as aviation, automobile manufacturing, large molds, and shipbuilding industries. Although it occupies a large area and has high requirements for motor synchronization, it has obvious advantages in stability and precision in large-scale and high-speed production.
3.2 Cantilever machine tools
It is more suitable for precision machining and complex surface cutting of small and medium-sized workpieces, especially in workshops with limited space or multi-directional feeding. It has a compact structure and high flexibility, while simplifying maintenance and automation integration, providing obvious cost and efficiency advantages for mold trial production, prototype development and small and medium-sized batch production.
4. Control system and maintenance considerations
4.1 Control system
1) Gantry machine tools usually rely on high-precision CNC systems and compensation algorithms to ensure the synchronization of the two motors, ensuring that the crossbeam will not be misaligned during high-speed movement, thereby maintaining processing accuracy.
2) Cantilever machine tools rely less on complex synchronous control, but require more precise real-time monitoring and compensation technology in terms of vibration resistance and dynamic balance to ensure that there will be no errors due to vibration and changes in the center of gravity during laser processing.
4.2 Maintenance and Economy
1) Gantry equipment has a large structure and many components, so maintenance and calibration are relatively complex. Strict inspection and dust prevention measures are required for long-term operation. At the same time, the wear and energy consumption caused by high-load operation cannot be ignored.
2) Cantilever equipment has a simpler structure, lower maintenance and modification costs, and is more suitable for small and medium-sized factories and automation transformation needs. However, the requirement for high-speed dynamic performance also means that attention must be paid to the design and maintenance of the vibration resistance and long-term stability of the bed.
5. Summary
Take all the above information into consideration:
1) Structure and movement
The gantry structure is similar to a complete “door”. It uses double columns to drive the crossbeam. It has higher rigidity and the ability to handle large-sized workpieces, but synchronization and floor space are issues that need attention;
The cantilever structure adopts a single-side cantilever design. Although the processing range is limited, it has a compact structure and high flexibility, which is conducive to automation and multi-angle cutting.
2) Processing advantages and applicable scenarios
Gantry type is more suitable for large-area, large workpieces and high-speed batch production needs, and is also suitable for production environments that can accommodate a large floor space and have corresponding maintenance conditions;
Cantilever type is more suitable for processing small and medium-sized, complex surfaces, and is suitable for occasions with limited space and the pursuit of high flexibility and low maintenance costs.
According to specific processing requirements, workpiece size, budget and factory conditions, engineers and manufacturers should weigh the advantages and disadvantages when selecting machine tools and choose the equipment that best suits the actual production conditions.
Post time: Apr-14-2025
