Cartesian and gantry robots, engineered and integrated in the UK
MotionTech designs, builds and integrates Cartesian robots, gantry robots and linear (XYZ) robotic systems for UK manufacturing, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, aerospace and e-commerce operations. 28 years of automation heritage, in-house controls engineering, and turnkey delivery from a single Nottingham facility.
What is a Cartesian robot?
A Cartesian robot is an industrial robot that moves along three orthogonal linear axes (X, Y and Z) at right angles to each other. It uses linear actuators rather than rotational joints, which makes it mechanically simpler, exceptionally accurate (typically ±0.05 mm) and easy to scale to large work envelopes. Also called a gantry robot, linear robot, XYZ robot, 3-axis robot or Cartesian coordinate robot, depending on the configuration.
A complete Cartesian robot cell typically includes:
- Linear axes (ball-screw, belt-drive or linear motor)
- Servo drives and motors
- PLC and motion controller (Beckhoff, Siemens or Rockwell)
- HMI panel and operator interface
- End-of-arm tooling (vacuum, gripper, dispenser, layer head)
- Safety system (fenced cell or SICK SafetyScanner)
- Infeed and outfeed conveyors as required
- Connectivity to PLC, WMS, MES or ERP
Cartesian and gantry robots are used across manufacturing, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, e-commerce and grocery operations, wherever straight-line precision, heavy payload capability and large work envelopes are operationally critical. They commonly integrate with conveyor systems, ASRS and robotic palletising lines.
Cartesian configurations we design and build
"Cartesian robot" describes a family, not a single machine. MotionTech designs and integrates the full range, sized and configured around your work envelope, payload and cycle target.
2-axis benchtop Cartesian (XY)
A single horizontal plane. Used for plotting, dispensing, inspection across a flat fixture, or PCB pick-and-place where Z motion is handled by the end-effector itself. Compact, cheap, ideal for benchtop laboratory automation.
| Work envelope | Up to 600 × 400 mm |
|---|---|
| Payload | Up to 5 kg |
| Repeatability | ±0.02 mm |
| Typical use | Lab automation, PCB, dispensing |
3-axis Cartesian cell (XYZ)
The standard industrial Cartesian. Three linear axes, one end-of-arm tool. Covers 95% of palletising, pick-and-place, CNC and 3D printing applications. Built in spans from 600 mm to 6 m on each axis.
| Work envelope | Up to 1.5 × 1.5 × 0.8 m |
|---|---|
| Payload | 10 to 50 kg |
| Repeatability | ±0.1 mm |
| Typical use | Pick-and-place, light assembly |
Mid-size gantry robot
The workhorse configuration for CNC, dispensing and lighter palletising. An overhead bridge mounted on two parallel rails keeps the floor underneath clear for operators and forklifts.
| Work envelope | Up to 3 × 2 × 1.5 m |
|---|---|
| Payload | 50 to 250 kg |
| Repeatability | ±0.2 mm |
| Typical use | CNC, dispensing, light palletising |
Large overhead gantry palletiser
The default robot for very heavy palletising jobs. Layer-grip heads carrying 500 kg+ build pallets of full kegs, paper reels, aggregate sacks or large IBCs. Integrates directly with our robotic palletising systems.
| Work envelope | Up to 6 × 4 × 2 m |
|---|---|
| Payload | 250 to 2,000 kg |
| Repeatability | ±0.3 mm |
| Typical use | Heavy palletising, large-format machining |
Cantilever Cartesian
The X-axis bridge mounts on a single side rail rather than spanning two parallel rails. Half the structure, faster to install, ideal where overhead structure is limited or where the work area sits against a wall.
| Work envelope | Up to 1.5 m span |
|---|---|
| Payload | Up to 80 kg |
| Repeatability | ±0.15 mm |
| Typical use | Wall-mounted dispensing, light pick-and-place |
Cartesian gantry with rotational wrist (4 to 5 axis)
A rotary axis added at the Z-axis tip gives you straight-line reach plus limited wrist orientation. Common in welding and large-format additive manufacturing where the part shape demands tool orientation.
| Work envelope | Up to 6 m+ on each axis |
|---|---|
| Payload | 50 to 500 kg |
| Repeatability | ±0.3 mm |
| Typical use | Welding, large-format additive, aerospace |
MotionTech also designs fully bespoke Cartesian and gantry cells. For pick-and-place into automated storage, integration with line-side conveyors, or as part of a wider robotic automation project, talk to our engineering team about the right configuration.
Cartesian vs gantry vs SCARA vs articulated vs cobot
The five industrial robot families do not compete head to head. Each one wins different jobs. Use this comparison to narrow your shortlist before requesting a review.
| Robot type | Best for | Typical payload | Repeatability | Work envelope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cartesian (3-axis) | Large rectangular work area, straight-line precision, heavy payloads | 10 to 2,000 kg | ±0.05 mm | Rectangular, scalable |
| Gantry (overhead Cartesian) | Floor stays clear, very heavy palletising, large-format CNC | 50 to 2,000 kg | ±0.3 mm | 3 to 10+ metres each axis |
| SCARA | High-speed small-parts pick-and-place under 1 m reach | Up to 20 kg | ±0.02 mm | Cylindrical, under 1 m |
| Articulated (6-axis) | Complex curved paths, wrist articulation, dense cells | 5 to 700 kg | ±0.1 mm | Spherical from base |
| Cobot (collaborative) | Low volume, frequent changeover, working alongside people | Up to 30 kg | ±0.05 mm | Spherical, small |
How to choose the right Cartesian robot
Six variables decide the right configuration. Working through them in order avoids the most common mistake, a system that's technically correct but operationally wrong for the site.
Measure the work envelope
Map the X, Y and Z dimensions of the area the robot must reach. Above 1.5 m on any axis, Cartesian almost always wins.
Confirm the payload
Above 50 kg, Cartesian or articulated only. Above 150 kg, a Cartesian gantry beats an articulated arm on cost.
Decide on motion type
Straight-line over a rectangular area means Cartesian. Curved continuous-path means articulated. Top-down speed in a tight cell means SCARA.
Set the accuracy target
Below ±0.1 mm means Cartesian or SCARA. ±0.1 to 0.3 mm means all four types qualify, choose on footprint and cost.
Check building structure
An overhead gantry needs roof or column support. Without it, budget £15,000 to £40,000 for a free-standing steel frame.
Plan for change
Modular Cartesian scales cheaply as throughput grows. Bespoke gantry locks in a higher-performance fit. Depends how stable your process is.
A MotionTech engineer works through these six points during a free application review, then translates the answers into a specification, layout drawing and indicative quotation.
From application review to lifetime aftercare
Every Cartesian system MotionTech ships follows the same six-stage process, sequential, fully UK-based, managed by a single project engineer from first visit to handover.
Application review & discovery
A senior engineer captures the part geometry, payload, cycle target, environment and integration requirements.
CAD design & specification
2D layouts, 3D models, kinematic studies, controls philosophy and end-of-arm tooling design, approved before anything is cut.
UK manufacture
Frames, gantries, end-of-arm tooling and control panels built in-house at our Nottingham facility.
Factory Acceptance Test
Cells built up and run at our works. You witness the FAT and sign off before shipping.
Installation & commissioning
Mechanical fit, electrical termination, PLC commissioning, WMS or MES integration and operator training.
Aftercare & spares
Preventative maintenance, 24/7 emergency response, in-stock spares and remote diagnostics, backed by Lifetime Services.
Cartesian and gantry robots by industry
MotionTech designs Cartesian systems around the operational reality of each sector, the regulatory standards, throughput patterns and product characteristics specific to it.
Manufacturing & assembly
Pick-and-place, machine loading, CNC, dispensing and inspection. Cartesian's straight-line accuracy holds tolerance across long production runs without drift.
Food & beverage
Stainless 304/316 washdown gantries, hygienic frame design, food-grade end-of-arm tooling. Cartesian palletisers handle full beer kegs and beverage cases above 150 kg, integrated directly with robotic palletising lines.
Pharmaceutical & medical
Cleanroom-compatible Cartesian cells with validated controls, audit trails and GMP documentation. The default for vial handling, blister-pack assembly and serialisation.
E-commerce & fulfilment
XYZ pick-and-place over large tote stores, gantry-mounted scanning, automated picking. Integrates directly with ASRS and conveyor lines for end-to-end fulfilment.
Aerospace, composites & large-format
Large-format gantry CNC for woodworking, composites layup and aerospace machining. Where work envelopes exceed 3 metres, Cartesian beats articulated on every metric that matters.
Not sure which fits?
Book a free application review and a MotionTech engineer will spec it for you.
Request an application review →Engineering standards, compliance & accreditations
Every MotionTech Cartesian system is designed, manufactured and certified against recognised standards. Compliance documentation and the Technical File are supplied as part of the project handover pack.
| Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC | EU machinery safety, design, risk assessment, Technical File |
| UKCA / CE marking | UK and EU conformity marking on all supplied machinery |
| BS EN ISO 10218-1/-2 | Industrial robot safety, design and integration |
| BS EN ISO 12100 | Risk assessment and risk reduction methodology |
| BS EN 60204-1 | Electrical equipment of machinery |
| ISO 9001 | Quality management across design, manufacture and aftercare |
Why UK operations teams choose MotionTech for Cartesian systems
Direct integrator, not a reseller. Design, mechanical build, controls software and installation all in-house at our Nottingham facility.
28+ years of UK automation heritage. Built on the foundation of LAC and AMH, now part of the MotionTech group.
Independent of robot brand. Beckhoff, Siemens or Rockwell on controls. The right kit for the job, not the one we have margin on.
Modular and bespoke under one roof. Off-the-shelf cells or fully bespoke gantries, both from the same engineering team.
Integrated with palletising, conveyors & ASRS. Cartesian cells slot into a wider automation stack we already build.
UK-based aftercare and in-stock spares. No overseas escalation chains, no 4 week waits for a controller card.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Cartesian robot?
What's the difference between a Cartesian robot and a gantry robot?
How much does a Cartesian robot cost in the UK?
What's the lead time on a Cartesian or gantry robot?
What's the difference between a Cartesian robot and a SCARA robot?
Can a Cartesian robot be used for palletising?
What are the limitations of Cartesian robots?
How accurate are Cartesian robots?
What standards do MotionTech Cartesian systems meet?
Cartesian & gantry robot glossary
- Cartesian robot
- An industrial robot moving along three orthogonal linear axes (X, Y, Z). Also called a linear robot or XYZ robot.
- Gantry robot
- A Cartesian robot with its X-axis bridge mounted overhead on two parallel rails, leaving the floor clear.
- Cantilever Cartesian
- A Cartesian robot with its X-axis bridge mounted on a single side rail instead of two parallel rails.
- SCARA
- Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm. Two rotary joints in the horizontal plane plus a vertical Z-axis.
- Articulated robot
- A 6-axis robot arm with rotary joints, reaching a roughly spherical work envelope from a fixed base.
- Cobot
- A force-limited collaborative robot designed to work safely alongside operators without fencing.
- End-of-arm tooling (EOAT)
- The gripper, vacuum head, dispenser, spindle or layer head attached to the wrist of an industrial robot.
- Repeatability
- The maximum positional deviation when a robot returns to a programmed point under identical conditions.
- Ball-screw drive
- A linear actuator driven by a precision-ground threaded shaft. Used for sub-2 m spans where precision matters most.
- Belt drive
- A linear actuator driven by a toothed belt. Used for longer spans where cycle time matters more than micron-level precision.
- Linear motor
- A direct-drive linear actuator. Highest acceleration and bandwidth of any axis type. Used where cycle time dominates.
- FAT
- Factory Acceptance Test. Full operational testing at the manufacturer's works before delivery.
- TwinCAT
- Beckhoff's PC-based control software platform, common across MotionTech Cartesian builds.
- WMS / WCS
- Warehouse Management / Control System. Software directing robot, conveyor and sortation activity.
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Unit 3, Charles Park, Cinder Hill Road, Bulwell, Nottingham NG6 8RE
0115 975 3300
Sales enquiries: sales@motiontech.co.uk