

devices. Development times are
shortening all the time. Extensive tests
now have to be carried out as early as the
development phase. Ideally, the test
systems should be able to be used in both
the development phase and during series
production. End customers also need to
integrate multiple test functions in a
single test phase in order to guarantee
fast throughput in volume production.
These include display/touch tests,
performance tests, audio tests and radio
frequency tests, as well as thorough
evaluations such as the fully integrated
analysis of the audio test results. The
Chameleon system thus sets a new
standard in integrated test instruments,
allowing tests to be performed on a single
compact platform.
Integrated in a single unit
Another industry trend is also on the
horizon: as the test facilities are
integrated in the production cells, the test
devices need to be made smaller and
smaller. It is also important to have
enough test capacity, so that the test
process does not lead to supply
bottlenecks. “This is another way in which
the test devices from the Chameleon
series set themselves apart from others
on the market – because they can analyse
the tests within the device”, explains
Hyrynkangas.
Perfect position
“The mini planar surface gantry EXCM from
Festo appeared on the market at exactly
“We couldn’t have developed our
test platform without the compact
mini planar surface gantry EXCM.”
Kimmo Hyrynkangas, Test Solution Business Area Manager at PKC Electronics
the right time”, says Risto Mäkelä, Chief
Engineer at PKC Electronics. “With this
compact, ready-to-install planar surface
gantry, precise and fast positioning in tight
installation conditions is now extremely
easy.”
Jukka Merisalo, Key Account Manager at
Festo Finland, adds: “The planar surface
gantry EXCM really shows off its strengths
in situations where every millimetre
counts.” The compact planar surface gantry
can travel to any position within its
working space. It just needs an area
equivalent to a DIN A4 sheet. The
recirculating toothed belt moves the slide
within a two dimensional area (X- and
Y-axes). The fixed motors are connected to
the slide and thanks to the parallel
kinematic drive principle, the moving
masses remain low. This allows fast
positioning at speeds of up to 500 mm/s
and repetition accuracies of the order of
±0.05 mm.
Together with the electric slide EGSL, the
Z-axis is responsible for the correct
functioning of the touch and swipe tests.
The pneumatic slide DGSL is equipped
with a microphone and light cube, allowing
audio, camera and display tests to be
performed.
Ready-to-install system solution
The gantry is quick to commission and can
be integrated quickly into machines. The
pre-parameterised drive and controller
package gives users the security of
knowing that they can concentrate on
their own core competencies without
having to concern themselves with the
details of automation technology. “The fact
that Festo could offer us a complete
package consisting of hardware, software
and a consultancy service is what tipped
the balance in their favour”, says Mäkelä.
www.festo.com/excmPKC Electronics Oy
Pajuniityntie 43
92120 Raahe
Finland
www.pkcelectronics.com www.pkcgroup.comArea of business:
Turnkey solutions for testing and
power management as well as
the design and manufacturing of
electromechanics.
Issue 28
trends in automation
Synergies
18
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19