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Dear reader,
Humankind has always been fascinated by space. Macrocosmic
or microcosmic, above or below, open or closed – people love
to explore spaces, to discover what they contain and where their
boundaries lie, and to unlock the mysteries of the unknown.
It is this spirit of discovery that spurs people on – and drives
Festo employees to become leaders of innovation in automation.
As a learning company, Festo gives its employees the freedom
they need for focused reflection, invention and visionary
thinking. And the more they consider future potential, the
more freedom they have to explore. Space is also an important
requirement for our FreeMotionHandling, which combines
bionically inspired flying and gripping in one technology
platform (page 8). The 3D Cocooner from the Bionic Learning
Network shows how by using a simulation a new, real space
can be created with complex and highly individual structures
(page 12).
The solenoid valve VUVG is the solution to a growing demand
for space. Our experts have packed the high energy density
of pneumatics into a compact valve. In the industrial sewing
machines manufactured by Dürrkopp Adler, the VUVG once again
demonstrates the huge benefits that pneumatics has to offer
in the field of automation (page 30).
To increase your productivity, we have realigned our production
plants in Europe, America and Asia. In doing so, we have
reduced the distance between you and us. The learning spaces
integrated in the new Scharnhausen Technology Plant have
also been designed to increase your productivity. Here, our
employees learn by combining theory and practice, and are
literally exploring new spaces.
We hope that this issue of trends in automation will take you
on an inspiring voyage of discovery.
Best regards,
Ansgar Kriwet
Dr. Ansgar Kriwet,
Member of the Management Board, Sales
Discovering spaces