Clever regulation with Controlled Pneumatics

The new technology is pushing the boundaries of pneumatics

In Controlled Pneumatics, Festo combines proportional technology, sensors and control algorithms to form a control loop. This technology opens up completely new fields of application for pneumatics in terms of pressure, flow rate and motion – and also makes conventional production more efficient. Last but not least, with the high-precision piezo valves, it reduces the consumption of compressed air by up to 50%, as this can be dispensed perfectly. It is very easy now: With the input of a few parameters, the closed-loop control is put into operation thanks to Festo's sophisticated algorithms.

Your benefits at a glance

Greater competitiveness through maximized process reliability

  • Precise and repeatable control of production processes in terms of pressure, flow and movement – the traceability of the data supports this.
  • Fast and flexible control is combined with highly dynamic, position-dependent force and motion characteristics.
  • Protection against tampering thanks to digitized pneumatic functions.
  • Increased process reliability and quality when processing workpieces – whether in new or already established production processes.

Simple commissioning and operation

  • Complicated now becomes very simple. For example, with the apps for the Motion Terminal VTEM multiple channels can be controlled by one piece of hardware.
  • Best results during commissioning and operation thanks to the previously formed closed loop.
  • Guarantees immediate adjustments to the specified setpoint during operation, thanks to permanent testing of the application parameters.
  • Fast format change-overs are made possible by presets.

Cost-saving and sustainable production

  • Great potential for saving energy through targeted dosing of the compressed air right from the start.
  • Maximum performance with minimized energy consumption by determining the compressed air requirement absolutely necessary for each work step.
  • Positive energy balance thanks to condition analysis of the components, predictive maintenance and the early detection of leaks.

Easier, safer, faster, more precise, more efficient – overall more economical!

Typical fields of application for Controlled Pneumatics

Uniform web tension for reliable processes

Whether yarns and wires, foils or paper: Controlled Pneumatics ensures uniform web tension with high dynamics and precision. The extremely sensitive pressure control compensates for fluctuations and takes kinetic energies into account. You win a significant improvement in process reliability. Check out how it works!

High-precision surface processing

You get an optimal result thanks to the dynamic and flexible surface pressure over the entire machining process when grinding, brushing or polishing – even with different workpieces or material combinations. The precisely adaptable pressure makes high-precision surface processing up to wafer polishing possible. Included: short set-up times thanks to software and duplicatable presets – with just one piece of hardware.

Flexible gripping without retooling

More time for production: Controlled Pneumatics eliminates the need for gripper changes, pre-sets ensure fast commissioning, pre-positioning with the Motion Terminal allows higher packing density. Via the digital gripping force control, the gripper can be quickly, easily and flexibly adapted to a wide range of requirements – whether inside/outside or according to weight and material. Ideal also for end-of-arm solutions for robots.

Accurate dispensing or pumping via pressure

Whether ink, adhesives or liquids for testing and analysis, with Controlled Pneumatics, liquids can be metered extremely precisely and according to an individual recipe. This is not possible with either electric automation or standard pneumatics.

Precisely timed PET bottle blowing

An elastomer is brought into a mold under high pressure. For correct forming, the blowing process must be completed in a short time, otherwise the material will cool down. Precise pressure control and high repeatability with Controlled Pneumatics ensure a very economical and reliable process.

Precise control of diaphragm pumps

In order to control liquids according to the respective requirements, you need high control dynamics and very good control properties, even in the lower pressure range. The plunger coil actuators in the proportional pressure regulator VPPI are particularly well suited for this.

Economical use of shielding gas

Inert gases are used to protect products such as food or wafers from oxidation, but also to ensure a clean contour during laser cutting. Very precise, stable and linear flow behavior without hysteresis is required here – and a high repetition accuracy of the setpoint value.