The global gantry robot market is expected to expand from USD 3.1 billion in 2020 to more than USD 4.1 billion by 2026, recording a CAGR of 6 per cent during the forecast period. With computer-aided design (CAD) and other software configuration tools, designing and configuring a gantry system has become much faster and more convenient. Manufacturers are now providing customizable, pre-engineered systems that offer out-of-the-box performance and significantly reducing deployment time. The global gantry robot market is likely to witness a boost since computerized gantry design and configuration through software has propelled pre-engineered gantry robots, thereby significantly reducing design and setup time while also facilitating easy maintenance for the end user.
Within the global gantry robot market, the 3-axis segment is estimated to claim the largest share. 3-axes robots offer enhanced accuracy and payload capacity owing to the increased rigidity of their design compared to 1-axis or 2-axis robots. More interesting, many of the table-top gantry robots used for high accuracy applications, such as gluing and laser cutting, are often of 3-axis design. The 3-axis is also known to handle very heavy payloads, sometimes even exceeding 3000 Kg. Because of the wide range of applications of 3-axis gantry robots for various sizes has led to widespread adoption by the manufacturing industry.
Secondly, the more than 350 Kg segment of the global gantry robot market is expected to grow at the highest CAGR between 2020 and 2026. For high payload applications that involve long travel distances, gantry robots are still the ideal solution since these tasks include moving heavy engine blocks or a semi-finished vehicle assembly. However, for payloads below 50 Kg, articulated and SCARA robots has the possibility to gradually replace the gantry robots in many instances.
Out of many, one primary advantage of a gantry robot is that it is capable of reaching every single point within its workspace and at the same time maintain its accuracy and repeatability. Thus, the gantry robots are projected to have an increasing use for assembling and disassembling applications for both small and large objects.
Within the automobile sector, gantry robots are known to have various applications. For instance, for payloads that are exceeding 350 Kg, gantry robots are used to move heavy items like an engine block from one processing area to the other. Another handling application includes manipulation of buttons for seats and regulation of mechanisms for a driver’s force exerted on gas pedals.
Gantry robots are often being used in automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) for both handling and assembly of wheels and tires. Articulated robots attached to gantry robots can also be used for welding and painting applications. Due to the large scale of automation in the automation industry worldwide, the gantry robot market for this sector will continue to the largest market.
The Asia-Pacific region, in regional analysis, is projected to account for the largest share of the global gantry robot market during the forecast period because of the largest size and scale of the manufacturing industry in this region as compared to other regions such as North America and Europe. In the Asia-Pacific region, the automotive and electrical and electronics industries hold the primary markets for the deployment of gantry robots. China happens to be the largest automotive manufacturer in the world and the largest in Asia. China, together with Japan and South Korea, accounts for most of the automobiles produced within Asia. China, Taiwan and South Korea also account for the largest electrical and electronics industry in the world. Hence, global gantry robot market is likely to have the largest share in the Asia-Pacific region.