GB

In practice

Laboratory automation: a recipe for success

Automation can be a transformational process for clinical diagnostic and analytical testing laboratories, helping to meet increasing demand and offer rapid, reproducible, scalable, and high-quality services. However, if not implemented correctly, it can be a time-consuming and costly process. Colin Burnett of industrial automation specialist Festo offers strategic advice on how to set your laboratory up for automation success.

In practice

Engineering the future of HDD storage

Festo technology enables Lumico, RH Electrical Engineering, and DPB Automation to deliver the world’s most advanced HDD automated storage and retrieval system. In this article, Josh Roberts, Head of Applications Engineering at Festo GB, to explores the challenges, innovations, and collaborative efforts that made this groundbreaking solution a reality.

In practice

Maximising performance with Cartesian robots

Festo Handling Systems specialist Karl Wysocki looks at the role of Cartesian robots and the Festo Handling Guide Online (HGO).

In practice

Complete servo drive portfolio

Reducing complexity and securing reliable supply is critical to success when it comes to machine building. Nigel Dawson, Head of Business Development for Electric Automation at Festo explains how Festo is assisting the industry in connecting devices seamlessly and reducing the complexity of supply and control.

In practice

Torus and Festo design total handling solution

Torus Technology Group has partnered with Festo to create a purpose-designed integrated handling solution for its new TQ-Lab modular plastics packaging testing station.

In practice

Improving predictive maintenance using AI

The world is in a state of accelerating digital change. In an industrial context machine learning, advanced analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) are tools with enormous potential to deliver improved predictive maintenance strategies, but how these tools are applied is critical to success.

Innovation

Innovation in pneumatics

New product innovations will make a real difference to the way you build and commission your machines. Steve Sands, Head of Product Management at Festo GB, looks at how recent developments are driving the pneumatics sector.

Perspectives

Reduce your compressed air energy consumption

There may come a day when all industrial machines will carry an energy consumption rating – until then Festo offers 5 top tips for manufacturers to reduce their energy bills.

Perspectives

Cylinder sensors: reed or solid state?

In pneumatic applications, cylinder sensors are usually used to monitor the position of the piston within the actuator. In electric axes, they also function as a reference or hardware limit of movement sensor to prevent crashes. A solid-state version is the best choice in most cases. But for the remaining 10% of applications, a reed sensor is the way to go. This blog explains how cylinder sensors work and the conditions for using a reed or solid-state cylinder sensor.

Perspectives

Robotics in the Food Industry

Andy MacPherson, Industry Manager for Food & Beverage at Festo GB, shares his thoughts on why this is the perfect time for the food industry to invest in robotics and automation.

In practice

PCE help Frugalpac make sustainable wine bottles

A collaboration between Festo and PCE Automation has helped recyclable packaging experts Frugalpac™ Limited to achieve the high throughputs and precision assembly necessary to meet increased demand for its innovative paperboard Frugal Bottle.

Perspectives

Resilience in the Food Industry

Andy MacPherson, Food & Beverage Manager at Festo, explains the role that automation has to play in helping food processors cope with change.

Perspectives

Boost your productivity with AI

The challenge with many of today's machine learning packages is interpreting the output results. Anomaly and pattern detection algorithms are becoming widely available and are able to consistently predict part failures in plenty of time for planned stoppages. However, interpreting the data can be a complex task for specialists.

Perspectives

ROI - the case for automation digitalisation

Automation digitalisation does not just improve production and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE): it also has numerous ways of giving you a good return on investment. Festo’s Andy MacPherson offers this advice to key decision-makers wishing to implement a smart factory strategy.

Perspectives

Industry 4.0 comes out of its Shell

Industry 4.0 is revolutionising manufacturing. Remarkable changes are taking place – often behind the scenes – to turn expectations into reality. Steve Sands, Head of Product Management at Festo, explains why the unassumingly named Asset Administration Shell is so crucial to delivering the Industry 4.0 vision.

Perspectives

The significance of ISO standards in pneumatics

Steve Sands, Head of Product Management at Festo, offers some pointers on the significance of ISO standards in pneumatic actuator development and their role in machinery design.

Perspectives

Simplified electric motion combining pneumatics

Warren Harvard, Product Marketing Manager at Festo, argues the case for a more application-led approach to linear motion, including hybrid solutions which can incorporate the simplicity of pneumatics with the benefits of electric automation.

Perspectives

Delivering the electric vehicle revolution

Warren Harvard of Festo describes exciting developments in automation technology that will improve production of Lithium-ion batteries.

Perspectives

Selecting the correct pneumatic solutions

Andy MacPherson, Product Manager for Food & Beverage at Festo, shares five steps to selecting the correct pneumatic solution in food applications

Perspectives

The shape of skills to come

The pandemic has highlighted what many of us already knew: that the skills required to keep our world functioning in future are going to be very different to the traditional trades and specialisms of the past. For example, with Renewable Energy and Electric Vehicles high on the government’s agenda, there is an immediate requirement for trainees to develop knowledge and relevant skills in these areas.

Perspectives

Do all wireless solutions solve industry problems?

Brett Binnekade, an Applications Engineer at Festo, discusses the applications for wireless technology in the automation industry and do all solutions solve real industry problems?

In practice

Energy audit achieves 20% savings for Unilever

How simple changes save thousands on compressed air at Unilever Port Sunlight

In practice

Cerulean collaborates with Festo

Cerulean, a manufacturer of tube packing solutions, has collaborated with industrial automation specialist Festo to simplify the design of its popular FPS-1 tube packer to deliver an improved, more energy efficient, and future-proof packing solution.

In practice

PCE Automation uses Festo Technology

Festo automation technology is being used to help STANLEY® Tools in the UK to meet continued demand for its renowned safety knives, while continuing to maintain the highest standards of safety and quality.