trends in automation

With the new automation platform func

tions can be selected and modified at the

touch of a button – without tedious instal

lation and without having to change the

hardware or install additional components.

This makes it easy to produce customised

consumer goods – even in batch sizes of 1.

Intrinsic energy efficiency

The new automation platform is based

on an integrated approach to energy effi

ciency. The specially developed motion

apps and the leakage diagnostic function

for condition monitoring ensure energy

is saved during operation. However, the

energy-saving piezo technology for the

proportional valve's preliminary stage also

plays its part. The air consumption can be

flexibly adapted to the requirements using

the apps “Selectable pressure level” and

“ECO drive”. With a digitally selectable

pressure level the pneumatic force can be

limited to the level required for the appli

cation – and can thus be flexibly adapted

to the advance and return movements as

well as different loads.

ECO drive reduces the compressed air con

sumption to the required minimum level,

provided no pressing and holding forces

are needed in the end position. Depending

on the application, savings of up to 70%

compared with standard operation can be

achieved.

Reduced costs and complexity

The Festo Motion Terminal permits both

fast and powerful movement and leakage

testing at much lower costs than current

solutions. This means, for example, that

fewer controllers are required compared

with electrical solutions as one controller

can control up to eight movements with the

VTEM. New applications such as pneumat

ic pre-positioning with a subsequent force-

dependent press-fitting operation will also

be possible in the future. Energy consump

tion is also reduced and the required in

stallation space is decreased by up to 65%.

When compared with electric drive tech

nology, solutions with the Festo Motion

Terminal represent real low-cost alterna

tives, even for pneumatic functions.

ust as the smartphone turned the

mobile communication market on its

head a decade ago, so too the Festo

Motion Terminal is set to revolution

ise automation technology. A new type of

function integration combined with soft

ware apps will simplify the entire value

chain, from engineering and procurement

to warehousing, all the way to down

stream processes such as maintenance.

Beneath the somewhat unassuming ex

terior and classic Festo product design

lies technical refinement based on state-

of-the-art information technology.

True Industry 4.0

Piezo technology, integrated stroke and

pressure sensors together with control

using motion apps will enable machinery

and plant manufacturers to venture into

new areas. The fusion of mechanics,

electronics and software featured in the

Festo Motion Terminal transforms a pneu

matic product into a true Industry 4.0

component and facilitates flexible produc

tion. Pneumatic functionality as well as

adaptation to new formats are controlled

via apps by changing parameters. The

integrated intelligent sensors for control,

diagnostics and self-learning eliminate

the need for additional components. The

product key acts as a digital map, provid

ing product information quickly and mak

ing traceability easier. Parameterisation is

performed via web server without add

itional configuration software and Industry

4.0 interface standards such as OPC UA

can, of course, also be integrated.

Motion apps

When the VTEM is launched, ten functions

will be available via motion apps: from

basic modification of the directional con

trol valve functions to energy-efficient

motion, and from proportional behaviour

to different motion profiles. Thanks to the

fast activation of new functions via apps,

machine developers can create a basic

machine type and then select the relevant

apps to equip it with different functions

and features as per the customer require

ments. Further apps are in development.

Stay one step ahead

The Festo Motion Terminal offers enormous advantages for machinery

and plant manufacturers whose machines and systems have the follow

ing requirements:

•

Frequent format changes (pressure, travel time, speed)

•

Acceleration and/or speed profiles

•

Movement of large loads (see Soft Stop)

•

Restricted access to drives (“built-in”)

•

High pressure regulation requirements

•

Energy efficiency (short and fast or slow and long movements)

•

Constant cycle times (self-adjusting)

•

Designs that are gentle on components and minimise vibration

(soft, controlled)

•

High diagnostics requirements (e.g. leakage)

•

Knowledge protection

1.2017

trends in automation

Impulse

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