Overhead Robot Track

Overhead Robot Track : Robot rails on columns that keep the floor under the line clear

When the floor along a line is already taken by conveyors and fixtures, the robot track can go overhead. A track motion overhead mounts the rail on columns above the work and hangs the robot from its carriage. The robot reaches down into the cell, and the floor beneath stays clear.

TallMan Robotics builds each Overhead (track-mounted) telepresence to order, up to 200 m long and rated up to 3,000 kg. Travel speed reaches 3 m/s, and the four repeatability grades match the ground rails.

Cantilever overhead robot track carrying two inverted robots.

Cantilever overhead robot track

In the cantilever layout the rail runs along the top of a line of columns. The robots hang upside down from carriages beside it and work in the space below. Mounting the robot inverted saves floor space and puts it above the part, looking down on the work. Two robots share the track in the example build, which is rated for loads up to 1,000 kg at ±0.05 mm and 2 m/s. The example build also has a guarded walkway along the top of the track.

Spray painting and welding are typical jobs, along with handling, palletizing, depalletizing and assembly.

Standing on columns or hung from the building

The track can stand on its own columns, as in the example, or hang from the building structure on hanging columns. The robots can be mounted upright, on their side or inverted, depending on where the work sits. Open, sheet-metal and bellows-covered versions are available.

Overhead robot system or ground rail?

Where the floor beside the line is free, a robot ground rail is usually the more direct route. Its carriages are also rated for heavier loads, up to 5,000 kg. An overhead robot track earns its place when the floor is already committed or people and vehicles need to move freely under the line. It also suits jobs where the robot works better from above the part.

Planning robot transfer units

Overhead tracks depend on the building more than floor rails do, so we ask for the factory building height at the start. We also need the robot model, the working height and the crane situation for installation.

The overhead robot track configuration guide on techman-robotics.com explains how the column height and robot mounting are worked out from those figures.

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FAQ

Can the robot stand upright on a robot sky rail?

Yes. Upright, side and inverted mounting are all available. The cantilever example hangs its robots inverted because they work downward into the cell.

Can the track hang from our roof structure?

Yes. Hanging columns are one of the two installation methods. We will need details of the building structure before that option is confirmed.