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.
From the editor's desk: What happened to the metaverse? Technews Publishing
News & events
One of the most interesting technical crashes in recent years is the metaverse. As recently as 2022 it was white hot, with massive hype led by Meta. Even Bill Gates was saying that in two to three years ...
Read more...Hamar Controls earns dual Siemens Partner Awards
News & events
Hamar Controls has been honoured with two Smart Infrastructure Partner of the Year Awards by Siemens. These acknowledge the company’s exceptional manufacturing output within the Siemens SIVACON S8 partner programme.
Read more...Academy pumps out the next generation of experts
News & events
KSB Pumps and Valves has invested in a specialised training centre designed to equip internal and branch staff and certified partners with in-depth knowledge of KSB products and systems.
Read more...Africa Automation Indaba 2026
News & events
Africa’s automation and process control landscape is poised for a major milestone with the launch of the Africa Automation Indaba, taking place from 13 to 14 May 2026 at the Radisson Collection Hotel, Waterfront, Cape Town.
Read more...BMG backs emerging driver talent in South African motorsport Bearing Man Group T/A BMG
News & events
BMG has reaffirmed its commitment to local talent development through its sponsorship of Karabo Malemela, a driver on the Pablo Clark Racing Development Company’s motorsport development programme.
Read more...Prestigious award recognises inventiveness and entrepreneurial courage Beckhoff Automation
News & events
Hans Beckhoff, managing director, owner and founder of Beckhoff Automation, was recently honoured with the widely acclaimed Rudolf Diesel Medal 2025. This medal honours him as a visionary pioneer in automation technology.
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