The 2011 Pneudrive Challenge competition is jointly sponsored by SEW-Eurodrive and Festo, both well known for their innovative motion control solutions. Roadshows to the universities of Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan, Witwatersrand and Johannesburg as well as Cape Peninsula Technikon have been completed with great success. Over 600 students attended and were exposed to the latest technology in the SEW-Eurodrive and Festo product ranges, including Movigear from SEW-Eurodrive and CMAX from Festo. These products have been earmarked for bonus points in the competition.
Stellenbosch roadshow
The Movigear is the first mechatronic drive from SEW-Eurodrive and incorporates a servo motor, gearbox and frequency inverter in one hygienic design. The CMAX from Festo is a servo pneumatic controller that extends the automation platform through intelligent drive technology. This servo pneumatic drive provides more freedom in controlling positioning systems by communicating via fieldbus. Position as well as force control is possible.
The competition has been endorsed by SAIMechE and SAIEE. More information can be found at www.pneudrive.co.za and the challenge can also be followed on Facebook and Twitter. Entries for this year’s competition close on 15 October 2011.
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