Derk Wilten, owner and Managing Director of Synchron Lab Automation, explains how the cooperation with Festo came about: "In the past, we only focused on the concept of a solution, and then got a partner to build it. This is because we are originally a software company." When Niels Kruize joined the company, he told us that he strongly believed that we should be building turnkey solutions ourselves. Niels Kruize is responsible for business development at Synchron Lab Automation. He used to work in England, where he worked closely with Festo. Based on his positive experience, he suggested launching our first product designed in-house with engineering know-how and components from Festo.”
Niels Kruize explains: "Festo is a leading company with a global network of component suppliers and global service and support. They helped us with the design and shared their knowledge with us. The fact that they are active in different markets was very valuable." Synchron supplies customers all over the world and is therefore very happy to have a partner who can deliver parts in Germany just as quickly as in Singapore. Derk Wilton was quickly convinced: "Festo uses the same working methods we do. It's very reassuring to work with a partner who believes in the project."
Festo provided the Synchron developers with intensive support right from the start. Key Account Manager Bert Baas from Festo explains: "Our automation experts supported us throughout the entire development of the extraction machine. For example, they suggested using the new CPX-E unit to provide real added value. They used the module in this project before it was even available on the market."
Derk Wilten: "In our industry sector production is not 24/7, which can be attributed to the components and the way solutions are developed. But Festo is committed to Industry 4.0, optimum availability, service and preventive maintenance." The extraction machine now runs continuously for eight hours, but can also be operated non-stop for 24 hours. Its capacity is already eight times greater than other options currently available on the market.
Niels Kruize comments: "We have actually created a very small factory. One of our clients recently made a priceless statement. He said: 'This is so beautiful and at the same time so simple, I just don't understand why nobody invented it earlier.'" Bert Baas from Festo adds: "It's a perfect example of a combination of industrial and laboratory automation." The machine hardware is subdivided into functions, each of which is designed to be as simple and efficient as possible. The small factory is equipped with serial instead of parallel drives. The plates are continually moved and positioned through the pipetting, rinsing and washing stations.
The process that takes place in the machine is used in the agricultural industry for plant breeding. The DNA is extracted from shredded plant material. Festo components carry out important functions in all phases of the extraction process. The process starts with a carrier that can hold up to 400 microwell plates – 200 for input and 200 for output.