Festo recently held a series of business breakfasts countrywide to introduce its customers to the latest trends in industrial automation and present its value proposition. Festo MD, Brett Wallace explained how the company has structured itself into five business units to meet the challenge of today’s ever-changing markets. These are Festo Didactic (the education unit); pneumatic automation; factory automation; process automation (food and beverage, water treatment, industrial); and electric automation. Electric automation manager, Skye Prato then traced the development of electric automation from mechanical synchronisation, through to pneumatics and PLCs, to today’s advanced systems, the big differences today being their speed and flexibility.
Skye Prato, electric automation manager.
Festo can offer a seamless, unique and modern product portfolio for both pneumatic and electric actuators – the complete solution – all the way from the mechanical components to the motors to the controller/CNC to the reporting level, all from a single source. These include complete multi-axis handling units and an extensive range of over 500 motors. Part of the package are Festo’s vision systems, where a camera checks the position and orientation of an object and sends information to the handling system.
Another strength of Festo is its special software selection tool. Handling guide online (HGO) is an intuitive engineering tool that makes it easy to design, configure and order the right handling system from scratch. In addition, Festo’s applications centre in Johannesburg allows customers to test any new potential electric drive application in a controlled environment to confirm details like maximum speed, accuracy and cycle time.
Innomotics showcases efficient motors and drives at Hannover Messe
News & events
Innomotics recently presented its innovations and solutions for a sustainable industry at Hannover Messe 2025. Highlights included a novel Active Vibration Control System, IE6 energy efficiency class motors, and new product partnerships.
Read more...A racing partnership SKF South Africa
News & events
In one of motorsport’s most demanding arenas, a partnership forged in engineering precision and high-performance ambition has proven its worth. SKF, a global leader in bearing technology and innovation, celebrated a remarkable milestone in partnership with SVR Toyota GAZOO Racing, taking second position overall at the 2025 Dakar Rally.
Read more...German Chancellor visits Beckhoff at Hannover Messe Beckhoff Automation
News & events
As part of the traditional Hannover Messe opening tour, Federal Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz visited German company, Beckhoff Automation. Hans Beckhoff, managing director and owner of Beckhoff Automation, presented his company and its comprehensive expertise in the field of software and AI.
Read more...Festo 100th Anniversary: Celebrating a century-long legacy of innovation and commitment Festo
News & events
Festo has officially begun celebrating 100 years of groundbreaking technology, commitment and enduring partnerships. To kick off this historic milestone celebration, their Customer Innovation Day and ThankYou Party series brought together customers, partners and employees to reflect on their journey and look ahead to an exciting future.
Read more...Siemens and Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrate 20 years of innovation Siemens South Africa
News & events
Siemens Digital Industries Software is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its collaboration with Oracle Red Bull Racing, representing one of the longest standing technical partnerships in Formula 1 today.
Read more...A new generation of solar professionals
News & events
A new generation of solar professionals is rising in Cape Town. The second cohort of the Solar Youth Project has just completed an intensive eight-week training course and is ready to take on the next stage, 10 months of work experience.
Read more...From the editor's desk: The new space race Technews Publishing
News & events
The other day an interesting report captured my attention. Within four days, two different private American companies recently succeeded in landing their spacecraft on the moon. Intuitive Machines landed ...
Read more...Upskilled workers add value to maintenance teams
News & events
Maintenance costs, which are traditionally grudge expenses for businesses or industrial operations, can be kept to a minimum by ensuring that maintenance crews are properly trained in key aspects of the condition monitoring process. Wearcheck offers a choice of more than 15 courses covering a wide range of topics, from general oil analysis to thermography, transformer maintenance and many other reliability solutions services.
Read more...BMG powers up at Nampo 2025 Bearing Man Group T/A BMG
News & events
The BMG team was highly prominent at this year’s Nampo agricultural show, held near Bothaville recently. This prestigious event, which is one of the largest agricultural exhibitions in the southern hemisphere, is a highlight for manufacturers and suppliers of farming equipment, as well as for farmers, families and the entire community.
printer friendly version