Stainless Electromechanical Axes from Festo Suited for Cleanroom Automation
ELGD family of can replace SCARA robots in cantilever or pick-and-place applications
Published January 12, 2026
The ELGD axis family with spindle drive ELGD-BS and toothed belt drive ELGD-TB is designed for future-oriented industries such as renewable energies, the production of electric vehicles, the manufacture of batteries and the semiconductor industry.
High rigidity and high guide load capacity combine with powerful drive elements to offer high feed forces and accelerations for shorter cycle times and a long service life in the new ELGD axis family from Festo. A stainless steel cover strip is friction-free on the outside and does not allow any particles to form there, making the ELGD axes suitable for use in cleanrooms and future-oriented industries such as renewable energies, the production of electric vehicles, the manufacture of batteries and the semiconductor industry.
The ELGD axes are among the most rigid axes on the market. Using the example of a dispensing station, the specially developed guide concept enables the dispensing head to be moved precisely and dynamically. Attachments of up to 20 kg are possible on the Y-axis.
Innovative stainless steel cover strip solution
The non-abrasive properties and clean surface protect workpieces from particles. This means that they can even be used in clean rooms. Conversely, less dirt penetrates the axles, making them suitable for use in harsh environmental conditions.
Replacement for SCARA robots - especially for larger work areas
When used in cantilever systems and pick-and-place solutions for handling small parts, the ELGD axes offer short cycle times, high precision and repeat accuracy. In handling systems for top loaders, users appreciate the cost-performance ratio and the high travel speed, especially for long strokes. With these properties, they can be used as a replacement for SCARA robots and also offer a significantly larger workspace. In 3D printing and additive manufacturing, for example, it is crucial that the axes perform virtually vibration-free and are also resistant to harsh environmental conditions.
The ELGD-BS and ELGD-BS-WD spindle axes offer a maximum stroke of up to 2.5 meters with their durable and high-precision recirculating ball screw. The motor position can be selected as axial or parallel. The ELGD-TB and ELGD-TB-WD toothed belt axes offer virtually vibration-free carriage movement and a maximum stroke of up to 8.5 meters. Steel tension members reinforce the toothed belts made of different polyurethanes. The motor position at the end of the axis can be freely selected and can also be retrofitted.
Predictive maintenance
Another aspect opens up in the course of digitalization: Festo's industrial app Motion Insights Electric allows signs of wear on the ELGD axes to be detected at an early stage and maintenance requirements to be automatically communicated to service or maintenance. The app can be integrated flexibly, for example directly on an industrial computer, and thus ensures smart monitoring during operation. In combination with the drive controllers from the Festo CMMT family, this enables predictive maintenance and high system availability.
Award-winning design
The ELGD electric spindle axis from Festo provides compact design, high rigidity and seamless integration into industrial automation environments. In smart system architectures, movements can be controlled efficiently and maintenance can be designed with foresight. These features helped earn Festo a special award in the year of the company's 100th anniversary: the Red Dot Award 2025.
