ECO drive
Please sign in to see prices or request test licenses
Ideal for fast running production machines with low mass or slow positioning motion, such as, for example, packaging, assembly or processing machines or for linear or rotary motion with medium-sized stroke and/or high cycle rate.
Please note: This Motion App is not suitable for fast motions with large loads, vertical holding or press-fitting processes.
The Motion App „ECO drive“ lowers your overall operating costs as, depending on the load, it only supplies the energy the system needs to carry out the movement. The drive is not fully pressurized. Especially with a return stroke without load, a lot of compressed air can be saved. The energy-saving cylinder movement is carried out via the adjustable supply air flow control. When the end position is reached, the supply air will also be blocked so that the pressure level and the cylinder position can be maintained.
The basic principle is based on the pressure build-up at the supply side. This is purely to build up the required differential pressure with which the movement (pre-exhausted) of the return stroke can be maintained. This means that less compressed air is needed for each cycle. To maintain the cylinder position, the Motion Terminal VTEM closes the valve when the motion ends. A static pressure which is just about sufficient is applied. Thanks to sensor technology, the position automatically readjusts if there is a drop. The speed is controlled solely by throttling the supply air, while the exhaust air flow control valve is fully open and not adjustable.
Characteristic pressure curve without ECO drive
Pressure at duct 2 Pressure at duct 4
- High pressure at duct 2
- High pressure at duct 4
- Supply air unthrottled
- Exhaust air flow control
- Differential pressure in line with the required amount of force for the motion
- High force in end position
- High energy consumption
Characteristic pressure curve with ECO drive
Pressure at duct 2 Pressure at duct 4
- Low pressure at duct 2
- Low pressure at duct 4
- Supply air flow control adjustable
- Exhaust air unthrottled
- Differential pressure in line with the required amount of force
- Low force in end position
- Low energy consumption
You need a digital input module CTMM on the Festo Motion Terminal as well as two digital end-position sensors on the drive.
The following applications are not permitted:
- Vertically installed drives with weight load
- Drives with forces in the direction of motion that are considerably higher than the friction forces
- Applications with forces along the stroke which can change, e.g. friction forces of guides. This is not so important for drives with a reduced cross section in the ports as this design functions like an „exhaust air flow control valve“.
- For positioning motions with larger loads, the following problems can occur:
- In some cases, larger loads can result in acceleration along the entire stroke.
- There is not enough pressure for the end-position cushioning in the cylinder chamber on the exhaust side (PPV, PPS).
Please note the max. impact energy of the cylinder. The user must make sure that this is not exceeded, for example by using additional dampeners.
Specifications in the Motion App and via the PLC:
- Supply air throttle setting: 0 … 100%
- Increment: 0.01%
Feedback to the controller:
- Pressure at ducts 2 and 4
- End position reached
