Page 13 - trends in automation
Basic HTML Version
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.
1
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
1
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
operations. A pneumatic gripper requires
pressure 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
generally used more energy efficiently
when the requirements are for flexible
positioning, 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.
Issue 24
trends in automation
Compass
10
–
11
