A German robot manufacturer has designed highly economical function packages for its industrial robots using some of the latest Festo valve terminal technology. These robots allow plastic injection moulding machines to be lightly and easily equipped and unloaded.
Unlike inflexible linear gantries restricted to Cartesian motions, the new slim Kuka shelf-mounted robots mean no more space limitations due to ceiling height or floor space. Depending on the model, the shelf-mounted robots can hoist weights of 6 to 210 kg. The shelf-mounted robots load film and inserts into the injection moulding machines for back injection and forming.
Compact unit: Kuka shelf-mounted robot with the built-in power supply unit
Up until now, Kuka supplied only the robot and typical optional robot add-ons - the front-end and the power supply required for it were put together by the project engineers themselves. "We now want to offer our customers an economical function package designed for the Kuka robot," explains Marco Plewe, key technology manager for plastics at the robotics firm. "The development of the new Festo CPX/MPA valve terminal is just what we were looking for," says Plewe. When coupled with the vacuum generators Type VADMI, even energy savings become possible.
Directly installed on the robot arm: the power supply unit with the CPX/MPA is light and small, linking the pneumatic and electrical control levels
The CPX/MPA valve terminal is particularly flat and can therefore be housed in very small spaces, and being made of plastic, its minimal weight does not impede the mobility of the arm. In spite of its low construction volume, the terminal offers high performance. Mechanically significant parts and manifold blocks are made from metal, making the modular valves thoroughly sturdy and reliable.
The current bridge between the MPA and the fieldbus level is provided by the CPX terminal with its modular inputs and outputs. The advantages of this connection lie in its openness to all conventional bus systems and customised connection concepts - servicing and diagnostic functions of the CPX terminal included.
The CPX/MPA forms the centrepiece of the compact power supply unit within the function package. The unit as a whole ensures full freedom of movement for the robot. It is available in a choice of versions, for Profibus DP, Interbus S or CAN DeviceNet. The full configuration consists of four VADMI vacuum generators with air economy circuits.
The media/power supply enables flexible connection of pneumatic and electrical control chains to form an individualised automation application. Flexible expansion stages up to a total of four user valves and four vacuum circuits are possible with the compact terminal. Savings in power consumption and in maintenance are achieved by means of vacuum generators with air economy circuits.
These vacuum generators of the VADMI type offer many advantages when compared with solutions based on vacuum pumps, which are situated much further away from the vacuum suction points. The long lines that are often needed with vacuum pumps result in high-pressure losses. Vacuum generators do not incur any maintenance costs either.
For more information contact Joanne Dix, sales and marketing, Festo, +27 (0) 11 971 5560, [email protected]
Banking’s AI reckoning
Commercial (Industry) Surveillance Access Control & Identity Management Fire & Safety Perimeter Security, Alarms & Intruder Detection Information Security Asset Management News & Events Integrated Solutions Infrastructure Security Services & Risk Management Education (Industry) Entertainment and Hospitality (Industry) Financial (Industry) Healthcare (Industry) Industrial (Industry) Mining (Industry) Residential Estate (Industry) Retail (Industry) Transport (Industry) Conferences & Events Products & Solutions Associations Videos Training & Education Smart Home Automation Agriculture (Industry) Logistics (Industry) AI & Data Analytics Facilities & Building Management IoT & Automation Power Management
From agentic commerce disputes to quantum-powered risk modelling, SAS experts offer a ‘banker’s dozen,’ 13 industry-defining predictions that will separate institutions that master intelligent banking from those still struggling with the basics.
Read more...Axis signs CISA Secure by Design pledge Axis Communications SA
News & Events Surveillance Information Security
Axis Communications has signed the United States Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Secure by Design pledge, signalling the company’s commitment to upholding and transparently communicating the cybersecurity posture of its products.
Read more...Five key technology trends for the security sector in 2026 Axis Communications SA
News & Events Surveillance
Axis Communications examines trends it considers important for 2026, as technology and customer requirements continue to evolve, but the basic security needs of end users remain constant.
Read more...AI agent suite for control rooms Milestone Systems
News & Events Surveillance AI & Data Analytics
Visionplatform.ai announced the public launch of its new visionplatform.ai Agent Suite for Milestone XProtect, adding reasoning, context and assisted decision-making on top of existing video analytics and events — without sending video to the cloud.
Read more...A technological leap with the proportional valve terminal Festo South Africa
Editor's Choice
Festo continually makes bold technological leaps to keep pace with global advancements. Controlled Pneumatics is redefining the boundaries of compressed air technology to meet the demands of today’s most advanced applications.
Read more...Controlling pneumatics via IO-Link ifm - South Africa
Pneumatic systems & components
Pneumatic airboxes control cylinders or actuators using compressed air, and are found in a wide range of industrial applications.
Read more...The role of analogue gauges in a digital world SA Gauge
Pneumatic systems & components
With so much focus on digital systems, remote monitoring and automation, it’s easy to assume that traditional analogue gauges are outdated. Yet in almost any plant, mine or processing facility, you’ll still find them in daily use. There’s a good reason for this.
Read more...ONVIF to end support for Profile S
News & Events Surveillance
ONVIF has announced that it will end support for ONVIF Profile S and recommends using its successor, Profile T. Profile S is the first-ever profile introduced by ONVIF in 2011.
Read more...IQ and AI Leaderware
Editor's Choice Surveillance AI & Data Analytics
Following his presentation at the Estate Security Conference in October, Craig Donald delves into the challenge of balancing human operator ‘IQ’ and AI system detection within CCTV control rooms.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version