Festo has introduced the CMMT-ST servo drive starter kit, providing control engineers and programmers with a cost-effective way to learn commissioning and sizing for Festo’s multiprotocol servo drives, which range from 300 W DC to 12 kW AC. Each of these developer’s kits contains a CMMT-ST 300 W servo drive, EMMT-ST stepper motor with battery-free […]
Festo introduces VTUX valve terminal
Festo introduces its new flagship valve terminal, the VTUX. The VTUX can serve as I/O, remote I/O, and decentralized I/O. These compact and rugged IP65/67-rated terminals can be located anywhere on a machine that boosts operational performance and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) installation productivity. VTUX modularity results in less inventory and lower overhead costs. Slated…
Festo unveils Controlled Pneumatics digital closed-loop control strategy
Festo introduces Controlled Pneumatics, a digital closed-loop control strategy for delivering energy efficiency, high dynamic response, and precision movement. Controlled Pneumatics is an ideal solution for web tensioning; welding; surface processing; flexible gripping, including vacuum gripping; dispensing and pumping; PET bottle blowing; and diaphragm pump control. Controlled Pneumatics lowers compressed air usage by up to…
New Nitrogen purging technology in semiconductor fabrication can accrue millions in energy savings
Research conducted by Festo finds a new generation of its low-energy flow-control valves utilized by Front Opening Unified Pods (FOUPs) purge systems can reduce Nitrogen gas (N2) consumption by as much as 75%. A new Festo white paper details how these piezo-based flow-control systems help semiconductor fabrication plants (Fabs) reduce their carbon footprint and lower…
Festo introduces VTEP proportional valve terminal
Festo introduces the VTEP, the world’s first proportional valve terminal. The VTEP is an ideal solution for flexible gripping, web tensioning, force-controlled polishing, precision piloting, dispensing, dosing, and diaphragm pump control. The VTEP valve terminal provides closed-loop control of moderate air flow – vacuum up to 35 l/min. It comes in 2-, 3-, and 5-valve…
Festo introduces VEFC mass flow controller for precise control of inert gases
Festo introduces the VEFC mass flow controller, the company’s latest entry into its Controlled Pneumatics family of solutions. The VEFC features precisely controlled flow of inert gases of up to 200 l/min and is one of the most compact mass flow controllers on the market – only 24 mm wide. Like all Controlled Pneumatics solutions,…
Piezo technology simplifies integration for precise gas handling
Medical technology and laboratory automation companies can now benefit from replacing proportional solenoid valves with piezo technology, reducing their energy consumption by up to 95%. Piezo technology also operates silently without any heat built up. Up to now, it has not been possible to simply replace proportional solenoid valves since piezo technology needs voltages of…
Festo introduces innovative stepper motor for CMMT-ST DC servo drive
Festo has created a seamless product environment for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) designing servo-motion solutions for electronic light assembly, packaging, automated laboratory devices, pharma tablet handling, cannabis processing, and conveying. This one-stop shop includes the award-winning CMMT-ST multi-protocol DC servo drive, the innovative, new EMMT-ST stepper motor, a wide range of actuators, Automation Suite configuration […]
Festo introduces innovative stepper motor for CMMT-ST DC servo drive
Festo has created a seamless product environment for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) designing servo-motion solutions for electronic light assembly, packaging, automated laboratory devices, pharma tablet handling, cannabis processing, and conveying. This one-stop shop includes the award-winning CMMT-ST multi-protocol DC servo drive, the innovative, new EMMT-ST stepper motor, a wide range of actuators, Automation Suite configuration […]
Trends in engineering training and human-centric design
Both professional and vocational engineering training are evolving to address skill gaps and workforce-readiness issues. Advancing communication technologies, the COVID-19 pandemic, and new digital-transformation approaches have forever changed the way technical training in manufacturing and automation is conducted. Now analytics tools can track training progress; adaptive learning can adjust curricula to offer personalized resources; and…
The latest digital transformation (DX) initiatives
While most organizations are prioritizing DX efforts, few have fully leveraged cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies so essential to DX operational efficiencies. Now, that could be changing. By Lisa Eitel | Executive editor Digital transformation (DX) initiatives are at the forefront of business initiatives around the world. Spurred by rapid adaptations instituted during the…
Automation for North American EV battery production
By 2028, the 40-plus electric vehicle (EV) battery-manufacturing sites in the U.S. could annually output product capable of 1,037 GWh … tracking to increase by twentyfold from the size of the industry just a few years ago, according to the U.S. Dept. of Energy. One geographical corridor running from Michigan to Alabama currently dominates the industry,…
Festo’s new palletizing gantry lifts up to 440 lb
Festo introduced a heavy-duty Cartesian gantry for palletizing with a lift capacity of up to 440 lb, Z-axis stroke lengths exceeding 8 ft, and a speed of up to 5 ft/s. With free online design tools, off-the-shelf servo drives, motors, and other components, and quick assembly kits, this Festo palletizing solution shortens project time and…
Integrated linear-motion variations becoming the norm
Automation over the last several years has expanded use of electric linear actuators to leverage their technological advancements in smart homes, aerospace, defense, and industrial applications. In fact, the global linear actuator market could (in large part because of electric options) surpass U.S. $52.67B this year and grow at a compound annual growth rate through […]
Driving change in packaging automation
Many trends in general automation have impacted the packaging industry. Some of these include the multiple benefits of better efficiency and increased speed and accuracy of automation systems in general, leading to improved packaging machinery. At the same time, there is more concern with sustainable practices and design, which means more emphasis on biodegradable materials […]
Trends in artificial intelligence for 2024
According to Gartner’s research, up to 25% of organizations surveyed annually since 2019 said they plan to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) within the next 12 months. However, only up to 5% have deployed AI to production. Companies know that generative AI can dramatically improve operations, but inexperience and potential risks postpone the benefits. Predictive maintenance,…
Advances beget advances in laboratory automation
According to Global Market Insights, laboratory automation’s market size was 6.7 billion (USD) in 2023. The site also reported an expected CAGR of over 6.7% between 2024 and 2032. What’s expected to account for this growth? What specific trends will act as the catalyst for bringing the laboratory automation sector into the double-digit billions? We…
Trends: Drives and controls incorporate more safety and feedback
The last decade has seen advancements in controls and motor drive technologies to boost efficiency, safety, and ease of use. Now commonplace are drives that: Let end users leverage autotuning functions for faster commissioning Detect and correct for vibration issues — including the shaping of power into motors to avoid resonances Spur increasingly compact motors…
Festo Power Up initiative aims to transform machine building for food and beverage
The Festo Power Up initiative for food and beverage machine builders aims to spur the efficient adoption of electric automation and in the process support the development of the next generation of compact, flexible, energy efficient, and data-rich machines. Three pillars support the initiative. Machine builders now have the option of a Festo one-stop-shop of […]
Festo introduces an online 3D CAD configurator
Festo continues to enable original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to lower engineering and purchasing overhead and bring machines to market faster with the company’s new online 3D CAD Configurator for pneumatic actuators and associated accessories such as fittings, lengths of tubing, and sensors. The tool is intuitive and easy to use. Once the actuator is selected…
Festo: The right handling system in just 20 minutes
The Handling Guide Online is revolutionizing engineering for ready-to-install solutions As of immediately, technicians and engineers arrive at the right ready-to-install handling system at a record-breaking tempo in the areas of project engineering and planning. They can now order new system solutions intelligently and intuitively via the new Festo Handling Guide Online – without any…
New Festo family of multi-protocol servo drives
Festo introduces the CMMT MP family of multi-protocol servo drives. Every drive in this family is configurable as EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, PROFINET, and Modbus TCP. Using this single-family multi-protocol strategy, machine builders supporting multiple communications protocols can reduce servo-drive inventories. A unified drive family improves engineering productivity through familiarity with a single platform, simplifies tech support,…
Festo Electric and Pneumatic Motion reaches a pinnacle in North America
With the recent introduction of its distributed I/O solution CPX-AP-A, along with its established CPX-AP-I decentralized I/O, Festo now offers a range of electric and pneumatic automation solutions that is unmatched in North America in terms of performance, flexibility, cost savings, and engineering productivity. AP stands for Automation Platform and this backplane-based remote I/O system…
The new Festo solution for DeltaV DCS expands integration options and productivity
Festo now offers CPX valve manifold configuration to Emerson DeltaV DCS systems for fast, simple, and effective programming, commissioning, and validation of Festo-based pneumatics for skids and machines. This first-of-its-kind third-party commissioning solution brings one of the world’s most versatile valve manifold control platforms, CPX, to the DeltaV DCS ecosystem. Fast commissioning enables system integrators…
Top trends in linear motion technology: Part 2 of 2
For the annual Design World Trends issue, we asked industry experts to share their insights into linear-motion trends. Here’s more of what they had to say on linear actuators, linear guides, and stages. Meet the experts Dave Walden | Applications engineer • PBC Linear Eric Rice | Product market manager — electric automation • Festo Samuel Orozco | […]