Die Zuverlässigkeit der Technologiepartner ist für OSAI sowohl auf Management- als auch auf Produktebene eine grundlegende Voraussetzung. „Wir suchen Technologiepartner und keine Lieferanten“, betont Franco Cresto, Technischer Direktor des italienischen Sondermaschinenbauers OSAI. So wurde Festo nicht nur Technologiepartner für elektrische und pneumatische Automatisierung, sondern auch Enabler für mehr Energieeffizienz.
Die Firma OSAI A.S. S.p.A aus Parella bei Turin ist ein Unternehmen, das sich auf die Entwicklung und Herstellung von Standardsystemen, Sondermaschinen für die Montage und Prüfung von Hightech-Komponenten für die Halbleiter, Automobil- und Elektronikindustrie spezialisiert hat. Jedes System wird nach den Anforderungen des Kunden maßgeschneidert und mit der neuesten Technologie ausgestattet.
Making customers aware of energy efficiency f
"We make our customers aware of energy efficiency as a topic," explains Franco Cresto. To do this, OSAI uses the complete portfolio of pneumatic automation components as well as Cartesian systems for handling workpieces and, more recently, electric drives from Festo. "Thanks to these solutions, which harmoniously integrate pneumatic and electric drives, at OSAI we are able to offer innovative and energy-efficient solutions for 80% of our machines," explains Cresto.
Cresto continues: "Energy efficiency requires a comprehensive approach because it affects the entire process. All parameters must match in order to guarantee the energy efficiency of a machine or system, from the planning to the operating phase." This starts with the software for creating energy-efficient products. From the front end to the valves and compressed air preparation, everything is designed and implemented with the aim of maximising potential savings. In other words, products and solutions complement each other so that they have the desired impact and contribute not only in terms of technology, but also in terms of training and consultancy.
Automatic leakage detection
When the E2M module is switched off, it carries out a leakage test on the system. If it detects a pressure drop that the user has previously defined as critical, it reports it to the plant's control system. The E2M automatically detects any leakage in the system's tubing so that the necessary maintenance work can be carried out. The module also has an option whereby the compressed air supply can be switched on and off manually. In the case of particularly complex production processes, the automatic stand-by detection can be deactivated so that the user can decide via the PLC whether a machine is operating or not.
Another advantage of the MS6-E2M energy efficiency module is the active condition monitoring function, which provides system operators with the most important energy and process data at any time. The module can be fully integrated into the machine controller via Profibus, enabling the cyclical exchange of relevant data, such as energy consumption and plant availability.