trends in automation

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trends in automation:
What advantages make the fluidic muscle the ideal
choice for the RoboThespian?
Bernd Lorenz: The muscle is perfect for this application
as it acts like a human muscle, it contracts and relaxes
without friction resistance or breakaway torque, and it is
even stick-slip free. It is hermetically sealed and clean,
as no lubricant is required. All movements, whether
slow or quick, are jerk-free and perfectly smooth. With
its flexible structure and its compliant behaviour it is the
perfect drive for cooperation between man and machine.
Activation via piezo valves makes these properties even
more apparent. And of course with the fluidic muscle,
there is no need for any complex hydraulic or electrical
constructions. These advantages are particularly critical
in the area of animatronics, which is all about combin-
ing the most lifelike movement possible with appro­
priate communication. This is precisely what people
expect when they encounter humanoid technology and
interact with it. Festo already has a great deal of experi­
ence in the field of live entertainment, from magic
shows and driving simulators right through to shaking
seats in 4D cinemas.
Are there other potential applications?
Lorenz: The fluidic muscle is suitable for a whole host
of other applications. The pneumatic muscle has al-
ready proven and established itself in three application
areas within the field of industrial automation. As a
pneumatic spring to control tensile stresses on belts,
ropes, chains etc. and to regulate them sensitively. As
a means of generating high clamping forces on a small
diameter, for example when fixing components in
moulds or machines. And for targeted shaking and fast
vibration, as required in feeder and filling technology.
Bernd Lorenz,
Head of Membrane
Technologies, Festo
One more question
(B)
(C)
and work almost silently. These properties
mean that they are ideal for use in labora-
tory and medical technology automation.
Ambassador of Industry 4.0
RoboThespian is a fascinating example of
human-machine interaction. It epitomises
the future potential of Industry 4.0 in a
most impressive style: humans create and
program the machine which then responds
largely autonomously and flexibly to its
environment.
2.2015 trends in automation
Impulse 24 – 25