Innovative guide technology and design

Both ELGD-BS and ELGD-TB axes feature in-house developed guide technology, providing excellent rigidity, high load-bearing capacity, and smooth, virtually vibration-free slide movement. This design protects sensitive workpieces, enables high speeds, and ensures a long service life, thereby reducing downtime and the total cost of ownership. The axes come in two profile variants: a standard square profile and a wide profile with reduced height, offering up to 30% weight savings while maintaining torsional rigidity and load capacity. These compact profiles allow for smaller installation dimensions and more efficient handling systems.

Drive type differences: ELGD-BS vs. ELGD-TB

The ELGD-BS is equipped with a ball screw drive paired with an innovative dual recirculating ball bearing guide. This combination delivers high-precision positioning, excellent rigidity, and smooth operation over strokes up to 2.5 meters. The ball screw drive is ideal for applications requiring high accuracy, repeatability, and rigidity, such as cantilever systems and precise pick-and-place tasks.

In contrast, the ELGD-TB uses a toothed belt drive combined with the same dual recirculating ball bearing guide technology. This variant supports strokes up to 8.5 meters in length and is optimised for high speeds and dynamic movements. The toothed belt drive is well-suited for applications where long travel distances and fast cycle times are critical, such as handling systems for top loaders and automation solutions in 3D printing and additive manufacturing. The ELGD-TB offers various toothed belt materials, including polyurethane with a fabric coating for resistance to cooling and lubricating fluids, as well as an uncoated version suitable for food zone environments.

Common features and options

Both variants share features such as the innovative stainless steel cover strip with magnetic deflection, which prevents abrasion and particle generation, making the axes suitable for cleanroom environments and harsh ambient conditions. They also offer various slide options, including long slides and freely movable second slides, that increase axial and lateral load capacity and extend service life by distributing guide loads.

For enhanced reliability, inductive proximity sensors (SIES-8M) can be easily mounted in the profile slot without the need for additional materials or tools. Motor mounting is highly flexible, with axial or parallel mounting kits allowing rotation in multiple 90° increments and the option to mount the motor on either side of the axis.

Applications and performance

The ELGD-BS excels in high-precision applications that require short strokes and high rigidity, while the ELGD-TB is tailored for dynamic, long-stroke applications that demand high speed and long travel. Both variants are ideal for cantilever systems, pick-and-place solutions, and handling systems, offering short cycle times, high repeatability, and resistance to harsh environments. An example application includes a compact double pick-and-place system with two independently moving Z-axes on long guides, demonstrating the series' flexibility and rigidity under high loads and speeds.

Integration and support

Festo supports the ELGD series with a range of servo drives (CMMT-AS and CMMT-ST) and servo or stepper motors, all designed for easy integration and high performance. The Ethernet-based multi-protocol communication ensures compatibility with various automation controllers. Additionally, Festo provides the Electric Motion Sizing online tool for quick and reliable drive package selection, as well as the free Festo Automation Suite software for commissioning, parameterisation, and maintenance.