Product category:
Pneumatic Actuators, Motors, Accessories
News Release from: Festo | Subject: HMPL mini handling axis
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 15 November 2000
New handling and positioning products
announced
Automation world leader, Festo, took advantage of the Motek 2000 event to unveil an extensive range of products addressing motion control, handling and positioning.
Automation world leader, Festo, took advantage of the Motek 2000 event to unveil an extensive range of products addressing motion control, handling and positioning Key among the Festo exhibits was the innovative Fluidic Muscle - a flexible and pneumatic actuator constructed from polyamide fabric with internal silicon tubing
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 5 Mar 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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The 'muscle' offers an order of magnitude increase in initial contraction force over a conventional cylinder at about one-tenth the weight.
The contraction length is precisely adjustable and repeatable by adjusting its internal air pressure.
The muscle, has been demonstrated supporting Festo's Airtecture pneumatic exhibition building.
Further reading
Micro Grippers are Small but Fast
Festo has extended its portfolio of miniaturised products with the introduction of a range of exceptionally small micro pneumatic grippers designed to save valuable space.
Ultra-Thin Slide Cylinder introduced
Festo has introduced an ultra-thin slide pneumatic cylinder into its miniature cylinder range.
Also on show at the Festo stand was a further expansion of the company's latest range of Handling and Positioning products designed to provide a modular one-stop-shop for precision handling units.
The highlight was the mini handling axis (type HMPL) designed to complement Festo's acclaimed larger sized, robust high-speed modules (type HMP).
Other products unveiled at Motek included: - New SEC smart servo-electric controller that offers complete servo-electric motor driven solutions for linear axes, with lengths from 8mm to an impressive 4.5 metres.
- New DGEA electric boom axis, ideally suited to vertical motion applications.
- New DGE mounting components designed to provide modular assembly for cantilever and portal gantry systems.
In addition, Festo displayed its SPC point-to-point multi-position servo-pneumatic and stepper axes, plus its extensive valve terminal range in support of all the handling components.
On the control front, the FEC range of feature-laden compact PLC's was joined by the latest IPC (Industrial PC) controllers continuing evidence of Festo's commitment to connectivity and integration by addressing all major fieldbus protocols.
For the first time Festo demonstrated a vision of the future using Palm Held PC's to provide a low cost HMI for basic programming of positioning axis, optimising and fault finding diagnostics.
As if to further demonstrate the power of integrating pneumatic and electronic control technologies, Festo showed its Checkbox system - a remarkable high-speed in-line sorting unit for components.
Checkbox utilises advanced digital imaging and profiling technology to determine the precise characteristics of passing components on the fly, regardless of orientation.
It then either accepts the part, allowing the belt drive to deliver it to a hopper (or onwards downstream in the production process) or ejects non-conforming parts by compressed air jet or pneumatic actuator.
Held at the Sinsheim Fairground in Germany, Motek has grown from a national trade show to an international handling and positioning event second only to the renowned Hanover Fair.
Now in its 19th year, Motek 2000's list of 700 exhibiting companies included over 100 from beyond German borders.
The event took place from 19th to 22nd September. Request a free brochure from Festo ...
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