Page 13 - trends in automation 1.2013
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Energy efficiency pays off
Energy consumption in production is influenced by factors other
than the choice between pneumatic and electrical technology.
Users can obtain concrete results using the Festo model calculator.
For example, a company with a three-shift operation and a compressor
output of 160 kilowatts can reduce its operating costs by 16 per cent
simply by using vacuum generators that operate according to the venturi
principle and have an integrated air-saving circuit.
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The secret is in the mix:
The most energy-efficient
solution will often be a combination of electric and
pneumatic drive technology, as in the case of many
of the ready-to-install handling systems from Festo.
Energy efficiency measures
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Reducing pressure level
Reducing pressure
drops
Reducing flow rate
Correct sizing
Reducing energy consumption
Reducing leakages
Reducing weight
Reducing tubing length
Recovering energy
Air-saving circuits
Reducing friction
Switching off power
long cycles and with few gripping oper
ations. A pneumatic gripper requires pres-
sure only once for continuous holding.
After that, no more pneumatic energy is
required for the duration of the holding
operation. An electric gripper, which needs
electrical energy for the entire holding
operation, can be more energy efficient
than a pneumatic gripper only if the
application consists of short cycles with
a large number of gripping operations.
The application decides
The benefits of electrical components
are particularly evident in motion tasks
involving high speeds and long stroke
lengths. Electric drive technology is gen-
erally used more energy-efficiently when
the requirements are for flexible pos
itioning, variable motion profiles or high
speeds. If, on the other hand, simple,
robust handling or high power density is
important, pneumatic drive technology
offers numerous advantages.
The Total Cost of Ownership should
also be taken into account when deciding
which drive system to use. Pneumatic
drive systems are between 8 and 10 times
cheaper to purchase than electric drive
systems. Depending on the stroke length
and cycle time, the operating costs may
be higher than those for electric drives.
However, amortisation times of more than
ten years are certainly possible.
1.2013
trends in automation
Compass
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