With the help of handling systems and industrial robots, workpiece handling – for example gripping, positioning, stacking, grouping or indexing – can be largely automated. Handling systems therefore ensure the smooth and efficient flow of materials in fully automated processes. Manufacturing companies can save money and significantly increase productivity by investing in a handling system. Automation technology is closely interrelated with robotics and handling, and covers the programming and control required for handling workpieces. Festo is a global leader in automation: from project planning to production and integration, we use our expertise to support you during the entire process.
We offer handling systems for a huge range of applications in handling and assembly technology, from standard solutions for all common automation technology applications through to individual solutions for your own very specific requirements. In addition to the digital networking of entire plants, self-learning systems and automation solutions based around robots are playing an increasingly important role in production. Our product range therefore includes pneumatic handling systems with the appropriate control systems as well as Cartesian robots and parallel kinematic system robots.
Our pneumatic systems are ready-to-install handling modules for repositioning, feeding and removing small parts in extremely confined spaces. The movement is force-guided via a slotted link and enables very short cycle times. Depending on the handling system, either a C- or L-shaped movement is carried out. The movements in the Y and Z direction are variable within a range of 40 mm. The handling modules are designed to be used with electric, servo-pneumatic or pneumatic drives. Pre-assembled modules with an attached drive are also available. The interface to the workpiece allows various gripper types from Festo to be adapted.
Handling systems are all devices that move an object towards a specific position and rotate it until it is in the correct position. They carry out functions similar to those of the human hand and have visual perception. Handling systems are therefore used for precise workpiece and tool positioning and are intended to relieve people of monotonous and physically heavy work. Handling technology replaces hands with tools, grippers, levers, holders and the like.
Handling technology plays an important part in manufacturing and assembly tasks, and its application is distinctly different from other applications. Handling is about more than just transporting a workpiece; it's about automatically moving or manipulating it. For example, when a workpiece needs to be turned, tilted or positioned.
Nowadays many manufacturing companies are forced to further optimise and automate their production processes because of growing competitive pressures and the ever increasing trend to automate production processes. That is why handling systems are used since they reduce error rates and increase production speed and efficiency. This primarily affects sectors such as machine building and the automotive industry, but also medical technology, the pharmaceutical industry and the electronics industry. The keys to greater efficiency, profitability, competitiveness and especially higher profits are maximum utilisation of machine running times, reduction of error rates and minimisation of unproductive downtime.