在机器人的帮助下进行玫瑰种植早已成为可能， 而 Aventec 公司创始人 John van de Ven 又将这项技术更向前推进了一步。作为合作伙伴，Festo 了提供最新的技术和创新思路。VTUX 阀岛可谓如鱼得水。
作为一名电气工程师，Van de Ven 精通机器人和图像处理，领导 Aventec 共同实现了一系列过程自动化项目。2013 年，Aventec 成立之初，Van de Ven 主要从事临时项目管理任务。如今，负责温室园艺方面的工作。前雇主（其公司已不存在）的客户找到了他，他很快全副精力投入打造培植盆栽玫瑰的机器之上。经过多年使用后，这些机器现在急需进行维护和保养。经过初步清点后，公司发现仅仅养护工作远远不够，于是 Van de Ven 开始着手开发。
“为了让切割机继续工作，需要使用新组件改装机器。所使用的部件中有许多已经达到了其使用寿命。于是，我们决定使用由 Festo CPX-E plc 平台控制的现代化伺服技术，对机器进行重新设计。由于需要配置现代图像处理系统，许多部件需要从头开始重新编程。打造快速且可靠的机器，让客户多年后仍然可以放心使用。
为更好地掌控机器的交付时间及其未来的可靠性，他决定自己生产机器。为了帮助您了解其复杂性，我们需要简要介绍机器的功能。在生产线起点，工人手动将玫瑰枝条挂在运输系统中。每个插枝被挂到支架中，运送到处理单元。在处理单元中，插枝被放置在图像处理系统前，旋转 180° 进行 3D 扫描。这样是为了获得最好的插枝。然后，机器人对插枝进行适当修剪，直接种植到新的花盆中。所有这些操作都以极快的速度和极高的精度完成。整台机器有四个“切割站”，每小时可修剪和种植最多 5,200 根插条。
在开发机器过程中，Van de Ven 与 Festo 取得了联系。“他们从一开始就在各方面的设备选择和整合方面给予了帮助。车削和修剪是非常重要的环节。为了了解如何利用 Festo 组件实现这一目标，我们将玫瑰枝条及其支架送到了 Festo 位于代尔夫特的研发中心。一周后，我收到了团队发来的视频，其中展示了最新的成果。我对他们在一周内取得如此大的进展感到惊讶！随后，我们开始使用 Festo 组件制造了一个测试模块，并邀请客户亲自前来观摩。”
Van de Ven 希望尽可能一站式采购所有组件。“只要有可能，我都使用 Festo 的产品。否则，如果出现故障，供应商之间可能会互相推诿。而受影响的将是最终用户。” 目前，模块包括 Festo 的无杆气缸和气动元件、PLC、人机界面 (HMI) 和阀岛。现在，我们已经使用全新开发的模块完成了整台机器的改装并投入运行。由于图像处理需要这种计算能力，每个模块配有自己的 PLC。对主控制系统，我们使用了人机界面和新的阀岛。在机器开发过程中，Festo 的产品开发也照常推进，使我们能够切换到最新的人机界面。之前在上一代产品上完成的工作能够非常轻松地转移到新一代产品上。平台速度大幅提升，同时我们保留了原有结构。”Van de Ven 对在此过程中 Festo 提供的支持赞不绝口。“Festo 考虑了对特定解决方案的需求。如果某个功能也能通过气动装置来实现，为什么还要使用步进电机呢？”
According to Van de Ven, the greatest added value is the time saved. "We save hours of work, so the purchase price is recouped very quickly." But Holt and Van de Ven also want to mention the data communication. The new Festo automation platform CPX-AP-A offers various communication options for fast and error-free IO between components and with extended diagnostic functions. Holt: "If a cable breaks somewhere, for example in one of the sensors, the breakage point is visible right away." And it's very simple, he explains: "All tags are read into the VTUX, you just have to assign them." Van de Ven uses 9 of the new valve terminals per machine. For each rose cutting module there is one terminal at the top, one at the bottom and one on the main device.
The speed is often decisive for the required force and stroke. Because the work is carried out in a dirty and dusty environment, cylinder contamination is also a consideration. The VTUX has an IP 67 rating, which is an important and decisive factor in the operating conditions for this application.
Van de Ven was one of the first VTUX customers in November 2023. "When Festo develops something like this, I don't want to use it straight away. But I've been to the factory in Esslingen and when you see how thoroughly and extensively everything is tested there, I have complete confidence in the Festo team." And the collaboration with Holt is also running very smoothly. "I show them what I need and Jeroen shows me the options. We went through the whole machine together; we then decided together what we wanted to do and he came back with the answers and more information. We want the machine to still be operational in ten years' time, so the end-of-life expectation is important, and Jeroen thinks about the new developments with us." Holt nods in agreement. "Thinking together is really crucial. I know the whole process and we start from a basic idea with unresolved questions. I like doing it that way."
It is plain to see that Van de Ven is satisfied. "We have written our own algorithm to speed up the entire process. To do this, we needed more computing power than in the old system. And we more than succeeded. We also wanted to separate two unique processes that run simultaneously. That is why we have two queues, each with its own core in the PLC. The cycle time is and remains crucial. We are now at four milliseconds and have set our sights on two."