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+49 (0)671 / 201331 - 0
Modern manufacturing processes and tools are constantly being further developed, with all kinds of new challenges arising. Often, this means that the requirements for the positioning task increase in order to improve an existing process or to bring new methods onto the market. At Busch we see ourselves as pioneers in getting the most out of your application. Therefore we offer a wide range of systems to create an individual solution for your process.
In addition to simple axis systems such as the linear table, the XY table or rotary axes, we also offer multi-axis systems such as XYZ systems in a portal design or gantry systems. With this article we would like to give you an overview of these systems and provide inspiration for your next project.
With these words, Dipl.-Ing. Winfried Busch, Managing Director of Busch Microsystems Consult GmbH, describes our mission in a nutshell: We take on your challenge and create the optimal positioning solution for your application – always aiming for maximum precision for your process. This includes the direct and intensive exchange with you about your application and the joint development of the tailor-made positioning system.
The primary areas of application for our positioning systems include laser processing, electronics production, metrology and the optical industry. Different processes within these industries require different system structures, which have individual advantages and disadvantages. Most applications are based on moving a machining head or measuring head over the workpiece or moving the workpiece in XY.
In this article we show you our most common system variants in more detail.
Consisting of an XY table on the base and a Z-axis on the portal above it, the AS-XY portal system is ideal for demanding processing heads. Since this is only moved in the Z-direction, the AS-XY gantry system is used in laser applications in which the laser beam is guided from the laser source into the processing head by fiber, while the workpiece is moved by the XY table below. This ensures a stable laser beam. Likewise, high loads of the processing head can be realized.
The special feature of the XY table is its construction: not just two crossed linear tables are placed on top of each other, but the upper axis is integrated into the lower one. The lower axis is also integrated into the granite base plate. As a result, the axes can be very well matched to each other and you get significantly higher accuracies compared to a simple stack. Typically, component weights of up to 5 kg are placed on the XY table and processing heads or tools of up to 25 kg are attached to the Z-axis. In addition, with the AS-XY gantry system, other equipment such as a laser source or optics module is often attached to or on the gantry in order to set up a space-saving system. Since a large part of the movement takes place in the XY table, this system enables simple media supply and cable routing to the processing head.
A modification of this system is the construction with a weight-compensated Z-axis. These systems are mainly used in the semiconductor industry to expose wafers and printed circuit boards. The number of Z-axes for the imagesetters is variable. The advantages of the AS-XY portal system lie in its flexibility with regard to the application at low costs. The machining area of the workpiece is large and dynamics and precision find a balanced optimum. The system is suitable for small and light components as well as complex and demanding processing heads.
Busch AS-XY 300
The portal system AS-T is characterized by its versatility and flexibility for many different applications. The structure has a distinct difference to the portal system AS-XY: The system consists of an integrated linear axis in the base and a Z-axis that can be moved on the portal. In contrast to the AS-XY portal system, the movement in X and Y is thus decoupled from one another. This enables higher dynamics and weights as well as sizes of the workpiece. When the axes are fully extended, there are no overhangs that could lead to loss of accuracy.
Processing heads and workpieces weighing up to 25 kg are typically used here. The greater the travel, the more compact the design of the AS-T compared to the AS-XY, because the Y-axis is integrated in the portal and can therefore use its full width, while the Y-axis of the AS-XY has to be placed between the portal.
An expansion option to increase the throughput of the AS-T gantry system is, for example, the use of several movable Z-axes. This means that large workpieces can also be processed with two or more laser processing heads at the same time.
The portal systems AS-XY and AS-T offer a cost-effective solution for almost all applications. Systems individually designed by our engineers with optimized components in terms of precision and dynamics, combined with control and commissioning, result in a tailor-made system for your process.
Busch AS-T 600
In contrast to the portal systems, with a gantry system only the processing head or the tool is moved while the workpiece is stationary. Instead of a static portal, a traverse is moved by two separate motors in gantry mode. A Y-axis is integrated on the traverse, which carries a Z-axis. This structure allows almost unlimited weights, shapes and dimensions of the workpiece. Workpiece clamping systems can also be mounted very easily using a thread grid in the granite base. It is even possible to place a conveyor belt under the traverse for a fully automated process.
Components of up to 25kg are typically attached to the Z-axis. Our gantry systems are used, for example, in the processing of large glass structures. Since only the processing head is moved in a gantry system, the processing area is no larger than the workpiece itself and dynamics achieve the best possible values. Similar to the AS-T portal system, the throughput can be increased by adding several movable Z-axes.
Hybrid systems consisting of a granite base and CFC traverses are an excellent expansion stage of the gantry system in order to achieve particularly high dynamics with the same level of precision.
Busch GS 100
In order to meet your challenge, we develop our standard systems individually. We adapt granite structures and components to enable greater weight and dynamics, or even to design systems whose structure deviates completely from the three standards presented. Just contact us so that we can develop a system that is made for your application. Not off the shelf, but individually tailored.
