Servo technology

Servo motors and servo drives with extensive connectivity

Reliable servo technology from Festo can help you solve your automation problems. In this section, we will give a brief overview of the components and tools we provide so you can select the servo solution that is most suitable for your application.

Ten most commonly made errors with electric axes

Festo is a worldwide supplier of electric drives, which can be found in installations and machines in a huge variety of sectors. When a part in a machine doesn’t function as it should or fails prematurely, customers ask us to find out why these components have not reached their expected
service life. That gives us a unique and global market insight into the most commonly made design or installation errors, across all industry segments.

It’s these insights that we would like to share with you. The tips that we provide are manufacturer-independent and are important for new machine designs. Next time you design a system, you can pay special attention to these points in order to avoid the most commonly made errors and ensure that the electric drives last their full life span.

Servo Starter Kit

Festo has once again put together a Servo Starter Kit for you. This kit contains everything you need to test our servo drives in your environment.

  • Servo drive CMMT-ST-MP
  • Motor cable (1.5 m)
  • Stepper motor with absolute encoder EMMT-ST-42

Thanks to its multiprotocol networking capabilities, this drive can be controlled via Profinet, EtherCat, Ethernet/IP and Modbus, and its intuitive configuration software makes start-up faster than ever.

More information can be downloaded here

View this Servo Starter kit in our catalogue and order immediately

Learn how connectivity innovation in servo drives is making integration faster and easier

Are you faced with the challenge of integrating servo drives into your PLC, mechanical and software environment? It doesn't have to be risky, complex or time-consuming. There is a new way to get going faster and easier.

This recording shows you...

• How quick it can be to select a complete servo system around your application data: simple, powerful and free
• How connectivity in all perspectives: mechanical, intelligent software and control architecture makes it faster and easier to design, build, commission and use the latest generation of servo drives
• How Multi-protocol servo drives save you time and reduce costs and technical risk

This recording is ideal for anyone who would like to simplify and modularise their servo drives despite the challenge of using different PLCs. Also, electrical and controls engineers designing, specifying or upgrading their factory automation systems.

Watch the recording here

Electric Motion Sizing

This free online software calculates and suggests possible solutions for your application based on the parameters you enter. You can also:

  • Calculate several possible solutions
  • Generate a BOM (bill of materials)
  • Generate a detailed results report
  • Generate a parameter set that can be easily uploaded to your drive

You can choose between linear or rotary motion, or a multi-axis system. For the latter, you will be linked to the Handling Guide Online (HGO) engineering tool.

Try our Electric Motion Sizing tool

Handling Guide Online

A multi-axis system solution can consist of two, three or more axes, with suitable motors, controllers and cables. These can be seamlessly combined and harmonised with other components from Festo by utilising Handling Guide Online (HGO).

This online tool from Festo was created to quickly and easily put together axes and axis systems. The software only needs a few application parameters (mass, displacement, acceleration, etc.) to calculate and draw your ideal handling solution.

This could be a system with one axis and energy chain, with or without motor, but also a gantry system or 4-axis robot complete with motors, cables and control box.

The HGO generates an accurate and detailed 3D CAD model In various formats that can be imported directly into your CAD system. In just five minutes, you have an axis or axis system with CAD, price and delivery date. Moreover, you can rely on the smooth operation and long service life of the system based on an optimally sized solution!

The Handling Guide Online tool will also speed up the parameterisation and commissioning of the complete system by the creation of a bespoke parametrisation file for each of the axis based on the application data provided to the tool.

Try our Handling Guide Online tool

Commissioning

The commissioning software Festo Automation Suite is the only (free) package you need to commission your drive system, from the mechanics to the controller. By simply importing the parameter file from EMS or HGO, your configuration is almost ready. You can see the selected drive, electromechanical axis, motor, coupling, cables, and most of the values are already set, giving you a ready-to-use servo system in just a few minutes!

You have everything in one place:

  • Codesys function blocks
  • Servo drive
  • Product manuals
  • Plug-ins and firmware (updates)
  • The sizing result from EMS or HGO for easy installation of the complete servo system


For more information on Festo Automation Suite click here

Download Festo Automation Suite software

Save time using Application Notes

Easily find how to configure a system using components from other suppliers

These Application Notes are guides on how to implement certain functions without having to plough through numerous manuals from multiple suppliers. For example, you can find Application Notes on how to link the hardware for two servo drives, or how to integrate a particular safety function.

Click here to download the application notes to connect your PLC with our servo drives

What is Servo technology?

Servo technology refers to a control system that utilizes feedback mechanisms to precisely control the position, speed, or torque of a mechanical system. It is commonly used in various applications where accurate and controlled motion is required, such as robotics, automation, aerospace, and industrial machinery.

A servo system typically consists of three main components: a servo motor, a feedback device (such as an encoder or a resolver), and a servo drive. The servo motor converts electrical energy into mechanical motion, while the feedback device provides information about the motor's actual position, speed, or torque. The servo drive receives the control signals and amplifies the power to the motor, enabling precise control over its movement.

The feedback loop plays a crucial role in servo technology. The control system continuously compares the desired position, speed, or torque (setpoint) with the actual position, speed, or torque (feedback) and makes adjustments to minimize the error. This closed-loop control allows servo systems to achieve high levels of accuracy, repeatability, and responsiveness.

Servo technology offers several advantages over other control systems, including:

1. Precision: Servo systems can achieve highly precise positioning and control due to the feedback loop and the ability to make real-time adjustments.

2. Speed and Acceleration: Servo motors can quickly accelerate and decelerate, enabling fast and dynamic motion.

3. Flexibility: Servo systems can be easily programmed and adjusted to suit different motion requirements, allowing for versatility in various applications.

4. Force Control: Some servo systems incorporate force or torque control, making them suitable for applications that require controlled force or gripping.

5. Stability: Servo systems exhibit excellent stability, even in the presence of external disturbances, thanks to the closed-loop control and feedback mechanism.

Servo technology finds applications in diverse fields, including robotics, CNC machines, 3D printers, industrial automation, camera stabilization systems, and many more, where precise and controlled motion is crucial.