The X-365 is a modular, high-performance gantry platform that combines large travel ranges with nanometre sensor resolution. Designed to bridge the gap between classic XY stages and full robotic systems, the X-365 delivers smooth, coordinated motion over travel ranges exceeding typical precision XY systems while maintaining excellent planar accuracy and repeatability. Its rigid mechanical design and integrated linear encoder feedback provide the positional stability needed for precise pick-and-place, multi-field inspection and patterning tasks.

“With the X-365, system builders and integrators gain a flexible Cartesian robot backbone that supports both high-speed motion and precision positioning,” said a spokesperson for PI. “This gantry system allows users to scale performance without sacrificing the sub-micron control needed for advanced manufacturing and inspection processes.”

Key features of the X-365 include:

• High load capacity and large travel: Engineered to support tooling, and payloads across extended XY travel ranges.
• Nanometre-class position feedback: Integrated linear encoders and optimized mechanics deliver outstanding precision and repeatability. The gantry system features precision recirculating ball bearing guides for superior stiffness and flatness, along with thermally decoupled components for enhanced performance stability.
• Modular and customisable: Easily configured as a dual-axis gantry and adapted, with options for additional vertical or rotary axes. Travel ranges from 200 x 200 mm to 600 x 800 mm.
• Seamless controller integration: Fully compatible with PI’s EtherCat-based advanced motion control platforms, enabling coordinated motion profiles, automated multi-axis sequences, integration of third-party equipment, enabling precision laser control for high throughput applications.

Industries and applications served

The X-365 gantry is ideal for precision assembly, laser machining, additive manufacturing, wafer inspection, optical alignment, 3D printing, electronics manufacturing, imaging, medical engineering, and other applications where high performance and reliability are paramount.

With decades of precision engineering experience, PI continues to expand its Cartesian and gantry portfolio to meet the evolving needs of industrial automation and scientific research.

Blending artificial intelligence, robotics, and visual art, Face Value invites visitors to confront how technology perceives and redefines reality.

The eighth edition of River of Light invites visitors on a 3 km journey through a blend of science, light and art projects. While working on her PhD in Chemistry, Emma Brass ventured into the world of code-based art and creative technology, an unlikely combination of science and creativity. Her collaboration with Venya Krutikov, a multidisciplinary artist known for large-scale immersive works, became a natural meeting point between engineering and creative expression.

Working together to develop Face Value, a fully interactive experience came to life in which visitors’ faces are captured and interpreted by an AI system. Their digital likeness then transforms in real time into a collective display of shifting light and emotions, prompting discussions on the difference between human individuality and machine perception.

“We wanted to explore what happens when AI becomes the artist, when it observes us, learns from us, and then reimagines us,” says Emma. The project embodies the University of Liverpool’s commitment to interdisciplinary innovation where scientific research supports their students’ artistic exploration.

Collaborating with motion plastics manufacturer, igus UK, bridged the gap between robotics and creative expression, enabling Emma and Venya to demonstrate how emerging technologies can enhance public engagement and introduce complex ideas like AI ethics and perception.

To bring the installation to life, the team incorporated a robotic arm feature that performs the delicate movements of the “AI artist.” igus UK designed and manufactured a custom ‘H’ style flat gantry system, with a large stroke of 4 m x 4 m. “This is definitely up there as one of the largest gantries we’ve ever done,” says Automation Product Manager, Adam Sanjurgo.

The system was able to operate smoothly, quietly, and provided a low-maintenance solution that enabled the technology to work seamlessly within the immersive experience. In this way, the robotic mechanics remained discreetly in the background, allowing the artwork’s emotional presence to take centre stage.

“Our goal was to make sure the engineering was invisible so that people experienced the magic of the finished product uninterrupted.” says Sanjurgo.

Visit the igus website for more information

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The igus product portfolio includes flexible cables, robotic components, motor control and sensors, all aimed at improving technology, reducing costs and enhancing durability in a wide range of industries, including machine tooling, automotive manufacturing, food and beverage packing, medical and lab equipment and smart agriculture.

The igus ReBeL (Robotic embedded-BDLC and electronics Link) cobots, now available from Mouser, are cost-effective and lightweight robotic arms featuring up to six degrees of freedom. These cobots are compact and lightweight in design, making them suitable for assembly tasks, quality inspection tasks, and service areas. Integrated sensors, cameras, and advanced software ensure safety, flexibility, and adaptability in a wide range of environments.

The igus Gantry robots, also known as cartesian or linear robots, feature two base X-axes, a Y-axis, and an optional Z-axis. These robotic devices are ideal for applications where high precision is needed and where a task requires a repetitive motion, such as pick and place, sorting, labelling, and measurement. These Gantry robots feature self-lubricating plastic liners that slide instead of rolling, making them much more efficient than similar devices that use recirculating ball bearings. These robots are lightweight, clean, quiet, corrosion-resistant, and maintenance-free.

The drylin Delta robots are designed with linear actuators, featuring highly engineered, self-lubricating sliding plastic liners. These liners make them lightweight, quiet, cost-effective, and low-maintenance. The Delta robots are suitable for low-cost automation applications such as belt transfer stations, sorting systems, small parts handling, and fast positioning machines. The Delta robots offer an accuracy of +/-0.5 mm.

The igus e-chain cable carriers guide and protect energy, data, and signal cables in challenging environments. The e-chain cable carriers reduce downtime and increase the service life of cables. These cable carriers feature a low-weight, modular, strong design, smooth contours, and are easy to install. The e-chain carriers are well-suited for cable management in various settings, including industrial, energy, medical, construction, and stage and theatre.

Mouser will also be offering igus’ chainflex cables, which are designed to deliver unmatched reliability, durability, and performance in industrial motion applications. With over 1,300 cable types available to order, chainflex offers a comprehensive range for data, bus, hybrid, control, motor, servo, feedback, coaxial, fibre optic (FOC), robotics, and special applications.

The company’s stand will be packed with working systems that prove higher efficiency and faster throughput are now plug-and-play – no six-month integration marathon required. Live demos at the show will include a paper flow-wrapper, delta robot, multi-axis gantry and smart drives running continuous cycles under show-floor conditions. And SEW-Eurodrive engineers will talk through every move in real time, so you’ll come away knowing exactly how each component can slot into your line.

If plastic waste and climbing energy bills are a challenge, check out the Hugo Beck Flow Pack R, powered by MOVITRAC and CMP. Single-use plastic regulations and energy surcharges are squeezing margins in food and consumer-goods packaging. The Hugo Beck Flow Pack R, developed in collaboration with the global manufacturer is driven by SEW MOVITRAC inverters, and CMP synchronous servomotors and switches from plastic to recyclable paper without sacrificing speed and precision.

In pick-and-place applications, manual or legacy pick-and-place arms struggle with today’s mixed-SKU, high-hygiene environments, causing cross-contamination risks and costly changeovers. SEW’s Maze Kinematic Delta Robot features stainless-steel options that tolerate aggressive wash-downs while maintaining +/-0.1 mm accuracy at 120 picks/min – perfect for environments like food and pharmaceutical production.

Gary the Gantry 2 meanwhile, lifts and shifts heavy loads in three axes using extra-low-voltage drives, making it safer for operators and easier to relocate than pneumatic setups. Both systems run MOVIKIT robotics software and teach-in panels, for easy configuration and programming.

What about when motors are too big, too hot and too hungry? Oversized, air-cooled motors waste energy and footprint, yet underspecifying means stalling under load. SEW’s CMP series of synchronous servo motors spans seven frame sizes up to 320 Nm, delivering high torque density for tight machines in industries like food and beverage production, construction, or automotive.

CM3C (medium inertia) synchronous servo motors tame heavy external loads without overshoot, while all-stainless CM2H motors meet the toughest clean-room directives. Pick the torque you need and we’ll help you match it with the right servo gear unit.

Finally, if you’ve found that legacy VFDs (variable frequency drives) can’t coordinate multi-axis motion smoothly, forcing workarounds that burn commissioning hours, check out SEW-EURODRIVE’s MOVI-C UXH Controller, which unites single- and multi-axis drives under one software umbrella, adaptive positioning, electronic cams and safe-torque-off included. Pair it with MOVITRAC advanced standard inverters (single-axis up to 315 kW or modular multi-axis up to 180 A) and the PxG planetary servo gear units for a compact, flexible stack that scales from a micro-conveyor to an entire palletiser.

A working Rexroth Cartesian Gantry demonstration will be on the stand along with various linear actuators and linear motion components, such as profile rail guides and slides.

As an authorised distributor and stockist for several world-leading linear motion and actuation manufacturers, including Rexroth, THK and Ewellix, ACORN can offer solutions that best suit an application, rather than a solution that suits the manufacturer.

ACORN’s experienced technical experts can work with you to gain a proper understanding of your requirements. They will then advise on the specification and sizing of components to provide the most appropriate product for an application.

In addition to its specialist linear capabilities, ACORN is also one of the UK’s largest suppliers of rotary bearings, couplings and power transmission products. Each division has highly experienced product managers focused on its range of products. On-site visits are available should you wish.

For machine builders and systems integrators, Kyrus brings to the table a range of automation products and guarding solutions with both longevity and modularity in mind. Companies are always growing and changing, and Kyrus aims to offer solutions that will adapt and grow at the same pace.

At the core of what Kyrus offers is in-house designed extrusions for its range of linear tracks, gantries and machine guarding, all designed specifically for machine building and automation solutions. From standard ranges to bespoke customer requirements, Kyrus products can be easily integrated into a project of any size.

These components can be assembled into simple pick and place, XYZ gantry, push/pull or stacking systems for entry level robotics and automation.

Servo Components and Systems specialises in the supply of motion control products into general industrial applications, production automation, packaging and military industries. Visit the company on stand number 10 to see its extensive motion product range and discuss your applications with its experienced staff.

The cartesian robot can be motorized with stepper motors or brushless servo motors. Contact-less end-of-travel limit senors are installed on these systems. Further, the robot can be fitted with optional third rotary module axis for XYR configuration. It is supplied with self-supporting rigid structure for industrial applications

Programming is via the IMAC visual motion controller for robotic automation, ensuring user-friendly motion control automation. With a drag-and-drop, visual blocks based programming, virtually anyone can program motion control automation applications and supporting peripherals.

Automation has never been easier. You can program any task by dragging visual blocks into the workspace: controlling linear and circular motions with stepper and servo motor actuators, controlling I/O, programming peripherals, and more.

Servo Components and Systems specialises in the supply of motion control products, into general industrial applications, production automation, packaging and military industries. Visit the company on stand 38 to see its extensive motion product range and discuss your applications with the company’s experienced staff.

Visit the Servo Components and Systems website for more information

There is an ever-increasing demand on designers and machine manufacturers to develop complete movement solutions that are effective, flexible and customisable. Time-to-market also needs to be kept to an absolute minimum. In the past, many linear axes would be designed from the ground up; linear rails, ball screws, couplings, motors, drives, etc. Whilst the timely provision of these components remains an important part of their business, Acorn has recognised the need to be able to offer complete movement solutions, with the same level of expertise and service that they bring to our component supply.

A manufacturer that very much mirrors Acorn’s commitment to providing the best in supply, support and solutions is Bosch Rexroth, and with the new partnership Acorn can offer a single source for a complete movement solution. With multi-axis systems from Acorn and Bosch Rexroth, the axes, motors, drives and cable management can come pre-assembled in one package (or the mechanical components are available separately). This vastly reduces the amount of time and complexity involved in developing a movement solution. Additionally, Acorn can also advise, specify and supply a wide range of associated products.

Together with the Smart Function Kits, this mechatronic solution platform offers smart ‘plug and produce’ solutions for various applications such as pressing, joining, handling or dispensing. The Smart Flex Effector, a sensor-based compensation module, gives robots and cartesian systems human-like sensitivity and thus increases the level of potential automation.

As an authorised distributor, Acorn can also advise, specify and supply a comprehensive range of linear products from the world’s leading linear motion manufacturers, including THK, Ewellix and Nadella. All these products are supported by in house technical support, in house rail cutting and LM guide assembly, all with extensive stock to hand for the quickest possible delivery,

The Rexroth Smart Function Kit for handling with pre-installed operating software is an extremely quick to market solution, due to the plug and play product commissioning and auto-parameterization of the servo drive. Delivery lead times can often be measured in weeks, not months. Thanks to the modern, intuitive web HMI with modular drag and drop process configuration, the software can be operated immediately, even without prior knowledge. This saves a great deal of time compared to conventional systems.

Acorn is exhibiting at Manufacturing and Engineering week at the NEC from 7-9 June (on stand E50) and will be showcasing the Rexroth range of mechatronic solutions. There will be technical personnel at the show, so visitors can discuss specific applications, in addition to discovering the wide range of solutions available from Acorn.