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Editorial archive;
A foundation for faster and more productive machine builds 07/11/2023 Digital twins enable components and machines to be rapidly developed virtually, before any hardware is produced, enabling hardware and software testing and system integration at a very early stage. Steve Sands explores how digital twin technology is progressing and the benefits it can deliver. Full Story...
Robotics are picking up the pace 06/06/2023 Steve Sands considers why developments in robotics are gathering pace and highlights some of the most recent advances. Full Story...
Quick wins to reduce compressed air use 22/05/2023 Andy Macpherson explores some quick sustainability wins that can be easily implemented to help quickly reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency on a plant floor. Full Story...
A servo drive portfolio with an impressive vocal range 25/04/2023 Reducing complexity and securing reliable supply is critical to success when it comes to machine building. Nigel Dawson, Head of Business Development for Electric Automation at Festo, explains how Festo is assisting the industry in connecting devices seamlessly and reducing the complexity of supply and control. Full Story...
AI comes of age in the industrial sector 21/02/2023 Suzanne Gill asks automation vendors for their predictions on how and where artificial intelligence technology can offer benefits in industrial applications. Full Story...
Switching on to pneumatic innovations 06/02/2023 Pneumatic cylinder switches may appear to be an automation commodity beyond advancement – but there is room for improvement, explains Steve Sands. Full Story...
Automated bioreactor for large-scale photosynthesis of algae 22/08/2022 Festo presented the PhotoBionicCell research project at the Hannover Fair earlier this year. The innovative bioreactor was developed to enable the efficient and large-scale photosynthesis of algae. Full Story...
AI improves maintenance 27/06/2022 Steve Sands explains how new software is evolving to help manufacturers implement a predictive maintenance prioritisation strategy. Full Story...
Seamless connectivity as a guiding principle 16/05/2022 Festo believes a true automation company should offer their customers seamless connectivity from the workpiece to the cloud, across the whole portfolio and independent of technology. Of course, no company can offer the entire needs of a machine builder, but what is offered, should seamlessly fit together, mechanically, electrically, and intelligently. Full Story...
AIoT offers greater transparency and quality improvements 21/02/2022 Suzanne Gill reports on the speed of adoption and the potential benefits of combined Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies in the industrial sector. Full Story...
Increasing productivity with digital pneumatics 08/02/2022 The ambition of the Netherlands-based company, Cellro, is to offer flexible, process-controlled automation solutions to CNC machines, raising them up to Industry 4.0 levels and beyond. Full Story...
Bottling plant upgrade goes with a swing 06/12/2021 Find out how Grolsch is placing its iconic swing tops on bottles at speeds of around 3,800 bottles per hour. Full Story...
Industry 4.0 comes out of its Shell 27/09/2021 Steve Sands explains the role of the Asset Administration Shell in delivering the Industry 4.0 vision. Full Story...
Making a case for investment in smart factory technology 08/08/2021 Making a major investment – particularly when it involves transformative technologies – can be daunting. Andy Macpherson offers some advice those considering implementing a smart factory strategy. Full Story...
The shape of skills to come 04/05/2021 Babak Jahanbani, MD of Didactic Services, the training & consulting services division of Festo, highlights the importance of identifying and filling the engineering skills gap. Full Story...
Can wireless solutions solve real industry problems? 11/01/2021 Brett Binnekade discusses the use and benefits of wireless technology in the automation industry. Full Story...
Digitise to survive! 15/12/2020 With a perfect storm of labour shortages and the Covid-19 pandemic, Suzanne Gill finds out whether the importance of digitalisation has increased, to help ensure more resilient and robust food production processes. Full Story...
Rise of the digital twin! 02/11/2020 Steve Sands explains how and why the digital twin is set to be a key technology for the success of Industry 4.0. Full Story...
Innovative simple electric cylinder in a compact format 26/10/2020 One challenge with Electric actuators are their installed length. Festo have overcome this challenge with the EPCE Simplified Motion Series actuator, utilising simple end to end motion with adjustable speed, force and end position in a compact package. With an installation length smaller than a pneumatic compact cylinder, it utilises simple digital IO or IO link control allowing adjustments and diagnostics from the workpiece to the cloud. Full Story...
Learning lessons and taking back control 06/07/2020 While we are still embroiled in the battle to contain and defeat Covid-19, nobody truly knows the eventual outcomes – but we can begin to assess the impacts and respond positively to change, says Steve Sands. Full Story...
Discovering the full potential of servo drives 26/05/2020 A new developer kit from Festo enables system designers and machine builders to familiarise themselves with the functions and application possibilities of the company’s CMMT servo drives. Full Story...
Are pneumatic systems smart enough to survive? 08/03/2020 As Industry 4.0 starts to change the manufacturing and process industries, many have questioned whether pneumatics has a future. Control Engineering Europe asked some pneumatics providers what they think. Full Story...
Embracing digital twins 19/11/2019 A Research and Markets report – Internet of Things (IoT) Digital Twinning: Market Outlook for IoT enabled Physical to Virtual Mapping and Management 2017-2022 – stated that, by 2022, 85% of all IoT platforms will embrace digital twins. Suzanne Gill set out to see if industry is still on course to meet these figures. Full Story...
Tools to help deliver a digital future 30/09/2019 Industry 4.0 has now moved well beyond the concept stage although there is still a long way to go. The next generation 5G wireless networks and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be crucial elements to enable Industry 4.0 to be wholly implemented, says Steve Sands. Full Story...
Smart camera makes visual inspections simple to configure 03/06/2019 The new SBRD smart camera from Festo lies at the heart of an intuitive image processing system that is said to open up new perspectives in automation and robot technology. Full Story...
Get smart to stay ahead in food production 25/03/2019 Suzanne Gill finds out where the food industry is on its ‘smart factory’ journey and gets advice about how to make use of new technologies to become more productive and flexible to meet rapidly changing consumer demands. Full Story...
Education is key to keeping industry 4.0 moving forward 04/03/2019 Suzanne Gill asked a cross-section of automation vendors where they believe the manufacturing sector is on its Industry 4.0 journey and, importantly, what obstacles still need to be overcome. Full Story...
Cloud interface for smart Festo products 14/10/2018 Festo has launched a new Cloud interface for smart Festo products. The CPX-IOT Gateway offers a secure, low-cost and digital solution provides the first step for companies wanting to develop Industry 4.0 proof of concept or pilot projects with simple, programming free, on-boarding. Full Story...
Online tool can assess your readiness for Industry 4.0 adoption 10/09/2018 Festo has developed an online tool to help companies assess their readiness for Industry 4.0 adoption. Industry 4.0 Quick Check enables current Industry 4.0 maturity levels to be measured and highlights what the next training and development priorities should be. Full Story...
Poppet valves for both standard and hazardous applications 25/03/2018 Festo has extended its Blue Star core pneumatics range with the addition to its VUVS valves range of a new poppet operated valve available in standard or ATEX-certified versions. Full Story...
Making commercial production of battery modules feasible 24/11/2017 Control Engineering UK finds out how Horizon Instruments overcame the challenges of developing a high-speed cell picker system, as part of the AMPLiFII (Automated Module-to-pack Pilot Line for Industrial Innovation) project. Full Story...
Electrical positioning systems made easy 27/10/2017 With Festo OMS technology, it is now quick and easy to select, connect, and configure electric drive solution. Before you consider specifying your next electric drive, watch our video to find out more. Full Story...
Cost-saving tips for process automation applications 22/05/2017 Festo offers some tips to enable specifiers to achieve significant cost savings by more closely matching valves and actuators to their specific requirements. Full Story...
Taking a glimpse into the future of the food production process 06/02/2017 Ever wondered what the food manufacturing environment might look like in the future? Suzanne Gill spoke to some key industry vendors to get their thoughts. Full Story...
Delivering better plant, productivity & people in the UK food & drink manufacturing sector 03/10/2016 Festo is pleased to be involved again with this year’s Appetite for Engineering (A4E) event, the forum for senior engineering leaders in the UK food and drink manufacturing and processing industry. This year’s programme is focused around the need for better plant, productivity and people in our industry – all areas Festo is committed to helping its customers improve through its industrial automation solutions, as well as its training, development and consulting services. Full Story...
Low-cost alternative to traditional press control systems 05/09/2016 Festo is now able to offer an easy-to-use and low-cost alternative to traditional press control systems for manufacturers of electronics or other small parts with its modular servo press kit. Full Story...
OPC-UA embedded into Festo valve terminals 01/08/2016 Festo has embedded OPC Unified Architecture (OPC-UA) into its valve terminals, enabling plant managers and engineers to realise the benefits of smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0 principles. Full Story...
Flow and pressure sensors with IO-Link 09/02/2016 Festo has launched two new easy-to-use sensors with IO-Link output that enable engineers to easily check the status of a process. Full Story...
Lack of skilled labour needs to be addressed 26/01/2016 A recent survey undertaken by Festo Training and Consulting shows that skills shortages within the UK manufacturing and engineering sector have increased over the past three years with the majority of respondents believing that a more committed support programme would help alleviate these skills shortages. Full Story...
Electric handling unit ensures accurate and rapid DNA extraction 12/01/2016 Festo has developed a handling system for use in the new oKtopure DNA extraction robot from LGC. Full Story...
Tips for increasing energy efficiency in pneumatic systems 15/12/2015 Festo has published Energy efficiency@Festo, a new guide which details a number of ways that plant managers can improve efficiency in their pneumatic production processes by up to 60%. Full Story...
Pilot valves for harsh environments 08/12/2015 The VOFD is a robust new pilot valve from Festo designed for use in process automation applications such as pharmaceutical, chemical, petrochemical and oil and gas industries, which are often considered to be harsh environments. Full Story...
Actuators added to electrical positioning system 20/10/2015 Festo has added three new actuators to its Optimised Motion Series (OMS) of electrical positioning systems to allow machine builders and system integrators to improve motion control for solutions such as light assembly applications, baggage inspection systems and handling of liquids and specimen in the laboratory. Full Story...
Proportional valve offers increased process quality 29/07/2015 Festo has launched a new proportional valve – the VPPX – with an external sensor input which is said to offer improved performance, maximum flexibility and excellent process quality. Full Story...
Cartesian handling system configurator 07/04/2015 Festo has developed a new system for configuring ready-to-install handling systems in less than 20 minutes. Full Story...
3D design tool for configuration and ordering of pneumatic systems 24/02/2015 The new Festo Design Tool 3D configuration software is said to reduce the risk of errors when designing and ordering pneumatic actuator assemblies. Full Story...
Pneumatic automation solution for water pumping station 10/02/2015 Guernsey Water has made the decision to use a pneumatic automation solution for the control of a remote pumping station. CE UK finds out more. Full Story...
Intermediate position module with through-travel 28/10/2014 Freely positionable along the entire stroke length, the DADM intermediate position module, from Festo, offers greater flexibility and efficiency to pneumatic guided slides, rodless cylinders and ‘self-built’ drives. Full Story...
Skills shortage affecting productivity 08/09/2014 A recent survey conducted by Festo Training and Consulting has shown that skills shortages are having a direct effect on productivity within the manufacturing and engineering sector. Full Story...
N 16/06/2014 Full Story...
Valve actuation controller promises efficient process safety 11/03/2014 A range of economical controllers, introduced by Festo, are said to provide precise positions for quarter turn process valve actuators. Full Story...
Whitepaper - Greater productivity from pneumatic cylinders 17/02/2014 Festo has produced a new whitepaper to help engineers and designers understand the advantages and disadvantages of various cushioning technologies, to enable process improvements. The document outlines the benefits of end-position cushioning systems in pneumatic drives and highlights the latest end-position cushioning technology for pneumatic cylinders. Full Story...
Cutting machine costs without sacrificing functionality or safety 14/01/2014 When PCL Ceramics was tasked with decreasing its machine building expenditure as part of an overall cost-reduction programme, it sought advice from Festo to find out how the latest technology could help it achieve this objective without sacrificing functionality or the safety of its machines. Full Story...
High-speed electronic axis spices up automation 27/08/2013 When PCE Automation was challenged with designing a new handling system for automating the manufacture of a brand new concept of spice jar lid by plastics manufacturer RPC Halstead, it turned to Festo for technology and advice. Full Story...
The trends driving electric drives 14/08/2013 Currently there are three trends dictating the development of electric drives in the industrial automation sector – speed and ease of specification, simplified control and maintenance, and machinery safety. Nigel Dawson, Festo GB’s Product Manager for Electric Drives, looks at these trends. Full Story...
Headline sponsor for Appetite for Engineering announced 30/07/2013 Festo will be the headline sponsor of Appetite for Engineering (A4E), the premier food and drink manufacturing conference which takes place in Kenilworth on 25 September 2013. Full Story...
Energy efficient design of production equipment 16/07/2013 Suzanne Gill reviews the findings of a recent report, produced as part of the EnEffAH – Energy Efficiency in Production in the Drive and Handling Technology Field Project – which forms part of the German government’s energy research programme. Full Story...
Pilot valve terminal features flexible connections 12/06/2013 The valve terminal VTOC from Festo is said to be particularly suitable for pilot control of process valves in the semiconductor, photovoltaic, flat-panel, biotech, pharmaceutical and process industries – and can now be specified with a customised pin allocation. Full Story...
Pneumatic valve terminals connect easily to fieldbus or Ethernet 30/04/2013 Festo has developed a new range of pneumatic valve terminals which allow OEMs and end users to set up pneumatic valve terminals and get connected to fieldbus networks quickly and easily. Full Story...
Compact safety valve sets new standards 05/02/2013 Festo has introduced a new combined soft-start and quick-exhaust safety valve. The MS6-SV-C is said to offer high flow rates in a compact size. As a result, it can vent air in a system quickly and reliably, giving excellent response and performance in an emergency and offering machine builders enhanced safety. Full Story...
Optimised solution for cost-effective motion control 30/01/2013 A new compact electric cylinder (EPCO) and controller (CMMO), have been launched by Festo, as an addition to its optimised motion series positioning system. Full Story...
Valve terminal ranges get low-cost networking connectivity 12/12/2012 Festo has extended the reach of its VTUG and MPA-L valve terminals and added a low-cost connection module for use with fieldbus or industrial Ethernet networks, a move which allows OEMs and machine builders to connect the valve terminals directly to protocols such as CANopen, Profibus, EthernetIP and DeviceNet, reducing installation and engineering costs. Full Story...
Compact pneumatic valve terminal promises ease of installation 19/09/2012 Festo has launched a pneumatic valve terminal which is designed to deliver high performance in a compact and robust unit. The VTUG multipin terminal is said to be a simple-to-apply universal valve device that has many electrical connection options, offering greater flexibility for ease of control and installation. Full Story...
Low-cost pneumatic valve terminals and digital I/O modules 19/04/2012 Festo has introduced a range of low-cost modular pneumatic valves, together with a complementary digital I/O modules for its CPX automation platform. Full Story...
Pneumatics – ensuring sustainability in plant automation 24/10/2011 There is always potential for further efficiency gains through the optimised use of energy, especially in large production facilities, says Festo. Suzanne Gill reports from an Audi plant in Hungary. Full Story...
Taking a look through Festo’s crystal ball 13/09/2011 Dr Ansgar Kriwet, a member of the Festo management board, region and sales Europe, has offered his vision of the future of global automation, and the role that Festo hopes to play. Full Story...
More elegant valve terminal protection 31/05/2011 Festo has reduced the cost of installing its valve terminals with the introduction of a protective hood that, in many applications, can eliminate the need for a control cabinet. Full Story...
Technology copies nature 24/05/2011 Suzanne Gill reports on developments in energy efficiency and lightweight design for automation that were manifested at the Hannover Trade Fair as SmartBird, an elegant project from Festo’s Bionic Learning Network, which in previous years has brought us the AirRay and AirPenguin Full Story...
Robot-style handling and positioning performance at a fraction of the cost 08/02/2011 A compact, integrated motion control subsystem for automation applications has been introduced by Festo, to offer machine builders a flexible way of providing programmable rotary and linear movement. Said to be suitable for parts handling and positioning applications, the EHMB module incorporates an interesting decoupled design which enables the rotary and lifting movements to be controlled completely independently, enabling fast and accurate positioning. Full Story...
The Hyper-Secured PLC…and other curious combinations 08/02/2011 To make life easier for automation engineers, and less costly for OEMs and end user companies to build control systems, clever companies are taking what used to be two separate products and putting them together in one unit. Full Story...
Festo and Fraunhofer IPA bionics team wins prestigious science and technology award 09/12/2010 A research team from automation company Festo and the Fraunhofer research institute (IPA) has won the prestigious Futures Prize, for its development of an innovative 'elephant's trunk' Bionic Handling Assistant. Full Story...
Festo bionic menagerie celebrates Royal Society landmark 25/05/2010 The Royal Society will celebrate its 350th birthday with a flock of flying penguins, jellyfish and rays. The creatures are all creations of Festo’s Bionic Learning Network and were developed to help manufacturers learn from nature. Full Story...
Nellie the elephant packed her trunk, and went to Hannover Fair 21/04/2010 This VIP didn’t have to worry about travelling on any of the scheduled airlines, and she got to Hannover on time for the big fair. It’s Festo’s latest concept project: a 'Bionic Handling Assistant' that offers a flexible and—emphasis on this—safe means of moving objects from one position to another. Full Story...
Direct Drive Linear Motors 05/09/2009 This distinct motion technology eliminates all rotary-to-linear conversion devices between motor and load—ball screws, gear boxes, rack-and-pinions, and belts—to obtain high-dynamic performance in a growing number of applications. By Frank J. Bartos, P.E., Control Engineering Full Story...
Festo's new electric linear motors look like their pneumatic counterparts 05/09/2009 You could be forgiven if you thought these photos show pneumatic motors, which is, after all, the flagship product of Festo. However, they are actually electrically-driven actuators, purposefully designed by clever Festo engineers to look like their pneumatic counterparts. Full Story...
Safety Valve for Pneumatically-Operated Automation 10/07/2009 Festo has launched an electrically-operated pneumatic soft-start and exhaust valve that provides safer start-up and quick and reliable venting of compressed air supplies in the event of an emergency. Full Story...
For Festo, Nature Shows the Way 18/05/2009 The most eye-catching display in the Festo stand at Hannover Fair were bionic ‘penguins’ swimming in a large tank and flying gracefully overhead. Taking their inspiration from nature, Festo’s engineers once again entertained the crowds with some serious motion control systems. Full Story...
Technology day for automation 07/04/2009 TF Automation is calling on anyone interested in automation to come to its Bradford, UK headquarters on April 23, 2009 for a ‘Technology Day’. The company supplies pneumatics automation and control systems and is a ‘Premier Stockist’ for Festo. Full Story...
Festo and LeekSeek plug the gaps 17/03/2009 Festo has joined forces with leakage management specialist, LeekSeek International in a bid to combat energy wastage. The newly launched energy saving service targets users of pneumatic automation and provides site-wide detection, management and resolution of compressed air leakage. Full Story...
Shake hands with a robot 29/01/2009 Robots aren’t all hardworking industrial machines as RoboThespian from Engineered Arts proves. The life-sized robot entertains audiences with theatrical performances and was recently given a technology boost to expand its capabilities for audience interaction. Full Story...
Festo adopts ABB’s wireless standard 13/01/2009 WISA-COM, the wireless communications standard from ABB, facilitates wear-free signal transmission to I/O modules. This will increase machine availability and reduce engineering and assembly costs. Festo has adopted this ABB protocol so that its sensor/actuator level now features one of the fastest and most reliable short-range wireless communications systems available. Full Story...
Safety in the air 07/07/2008 Those who power their machines and automate with air are similarly affected by the new machine safety regulations, so providers such as Festo offer safety units for decelerating and holding pneumatic drives in emergency situations. Full Story...
High Concepts at Hannover 07/07/2008 Hannover is the place to come to see new technology and get immersed in new ideas. Full Story...
Festo actuators in sewage plant expansion 21/05/2008 The amount of sewage processed by Les Grésillons treatment plant, on the northern outskirts of Paris, is set to triple in 2015, following an expansion project. All 28 filtration tanks are equipped with Festo Copac DLP linear actuators. Full Story...
Modular valve terminal claimed to cut costs 01/01/2008 Festo claims its recently launched valve terminal can reduce costs for automation designers and builders, who can now standardise on fewer components to reduce their spares inventory and to lower service costs. The new VTSA valve terminal can accommodate up to 32 ISO standard 18 mm, 26 mm and 42 mm valves, and allows any combination of these valves to be mounted on the same manifold. Full Story...
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