MechChem Africa March 2020

⎪ Products and industry news ⎪

Integrated connectivity for Electric Automation a reality with Festo System planners and design engineers can rely fully on the FestoAutomation Suite to achieve integrated automation and digitalised machines and systems. This applies to all levels of automation, from mechanical to electrical, as well as intelligent connectivity and cloud services, regardless of the standard used by the customer.

C loud computing enables users to access servers, networks, software and analytics, and to save data via the internet with the option of accessing it on phones and computers from anywhere. The same applies to seamless connectivity in indus- trial automation from components to the cloud. This iswhyFestoconsiders a client’s complete automation architecture from the mechanical system to the actuators, motors and servo drives, as well as the motion controllers, right up to modern industrial cloud solutions. As more industrial automation com- panies undergo digital transformation, Festo has developed technology to seam- lessly connect hardware such as the Servo Drive CMMT-AS, Servo Motor EMMT-AS and software such as Dashboards to the cloud. This is achieved by using the IoT Gateway CPX-IOT as a medium. The ElectricAutomationsolutions simplifyma- chine operations in industrial automation. System planners and design engineers can rely on Festo to achieve integrated

automation,anddigitalisedmachinesfrom components to the cloud.

Mechanical connectivity Handling systems fromFesto are compact and cost-effective; and they provide an optimal installation and working space ratio to enable the best use of space in assembly systems. For example, the SpindleAxis ELGC-BSandToothed These mechanical axes do not require adapters and are thus easy to assemble into compact handling systems based on the ‘one-size-down’ concept. Theyprovide the best use of space as part of assembly systems, test and inspection systems, in small parts handling, the electronics industry or desktop applications. Benefits extend to the precise carrying of heavy loads, which includes a wide range of mounting options for maximum machine integration and protection of internal guide,andkeepingexternalinfluencesout. Belt Axis ELGC‑TB, are ideal for compact dimensions and optimum installation space.

servos are ideal for the CPX-E or control- lers from third party suppliers. Lastly, the design and connections are optimised for control cabinets. Intelligent connectivity The free, flexible communication and the direct,completeintegrationofFestoservo drives into higher-level control concepts enable a wide range of solutions for industrial automation tasks. These tasks are supported by innovative software so- lutions for engineering and configuration. WiththeIoTgatewayCPX-IoT,asanin- terface between the automationplatform (mechanical and electric hardware) and the cloud; machine, plant builders and op- erators can benefit from Industry 4.0. The CPX-IOT collects information and data on Festo devices such as the Servo Drive CMMT-AS and Servo Motor EMMT-AS and their statuses through an Ethernet- based interface and a standardised com- munication protocol, such as OPC UA. It then sends the information to the cloud through the second Ethernet connection using IoT protocols. The preconfigured dashboard visual- ises the suitable information and spares users tiresome programmingwork.While these tasks take place, there are IT secu- rity mechanisms in place to ensure data security and protection in the process. The benefits of the CPX-IOT further in- clude easy and convenient access to data on Festo machines, monitoring of data to improve efficiency and real-time analysis. Monitoring conditions with Festo dashboards With Festo dashboards, Festo is driving digitalisation forward and supporting

Electrical connectivity

The Fe s t o range o f E l e c t r i c Automation servo motors and

servodrivesistheideallinkbe- tween mechanical system and control technology. They are optimally co-

ordinated, easily con- figured and quickly commissioned with Festo software. For

example, the Servo Drive CMMT-AS and Servo Motor EMMT-AS enable comprehensive con- nectivity in hardware and software. Users can commission the entire drive system con- sisting of the servo drive, motor and mechanical sys- tem in a few minutes. With the high-performance CMMT-AS and economically friendly CMMT-ST on one platform, the benefits are endless. These

Festo dashboards for seamless connectivity.

26 ¦ MechChem Africa • March 2020