- November 20, 2024
- Festo Corporation
- News
Summary
At Automation Fair, Festo is introducing an innovative suite of safety products, including its new CIP safety module.
ISLANDIA, N.Y. - Nov. 18, 2024 - Festo is introducing at Automation Fair an innovative suite of safety products, including its new CIP safety module, that ensures the safe operation of pneumatic systems and lowers the risk of injury and system and product damage. Festo Automation Fair Booth #406, Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, Calif., Nov. 18-21.
Festo pneumatic safety solutions are compatible with the top industrial Ethernet protocols–EtherNET/IP, PROFITNET and EtherCAT–which gives them near universal application.
The new CIP safety module connects directly to the safety controller, with no need for a safety I/O block, which simplifies wiring and can reduce cost by eliminating the requirement for separate safety I/O. The safety module offers one safe zone for up to a CAT4, Ple and SIL3 safety level for safety sub-functions: safe-switch-off and prevented-unexpected startup.
The CIP safety module can also work with an integrated pilot air control valve for redundant shut-down of directional valves and an integrated pressure sensor to monitor pilot air. These are compatible with the Festo MPA-S and VTSA valve terminals. The CIP Safety module will be available in 2025.
Three additional safety solutions in the suite
Festo’s new flagship valve terminal, the VTUX, has been designed with safety in mind. VTUX valves feature negative overlap spools that allow for safe exhausting of compressed air in case a valve spool is in an indeterminate position. Festo will be incorporating additional safety features as the platform matures.
For those in the automotive industry that use safe I/O blocks, such as Allen-Bradley ArmorBlock Guard I/O modules, Festo offers its CPX platform with VTSA-F-CB valve terminal. This solution delivers three safe zones controlled by an external safety controller. The VTSA-F-CB offers up to a CAT3, Ple and SIL3 safety level for safe-switch-off and prevented-unexpected startup. It also offers soft start/quick exhaust options.
For those applications outside the automotive industry that use safe I/O blocks, the MPA-S can also support safe zones with power supply modules, a soft start/quick exhaust option, and pilot air control valves. This valve terminal solution offers up to a CAT2, Pld and SIL2 safety level for safe-switch-off and prevented-unexpected startup.
Festo is also introducing its new Automation Platform (AP) CPX-AP-A, which provides I/O and interfaces to valves terminals VTSA, MPA-S and VTUX. The backplane performance of this new system can handle modern requirements for speed, capacity, security and safety. The CPX-AP-A can also run in a hybrid mode that allows for remote and distributed valves and I/O.
With either the CPX or the CPX-AP-A, safety with valve terminals can be supported. Either system can monitor both pilot air pressure and voltage of each safe zone, and can provide feedback data used with safe instructions within the safety PLC.
Festo demonstrates its artificial intelligence/machine learning solution
Festo AX software for artificial intelligence/machine learning provides analytics for predictive maintenance and energy savings.
Festo has released Festo AX Motion Insights Pneumatic for Rockwell Logix 5000 control systems. Festo offers predictive maintenance for pneumatic cylinders using standardized AI models and a user-friendly interface. Highlights include continuous monitoring of pneumatic cylinders for wear and anomalies, health score indicators for each cylinder and Logix 5000 Add-On Instruction (AOI).
In an Automation Fair demonstration, Festo AX collects data from Festo smart devices via EtherNet/IP controlled by a Rockwell PLC. A Festo AX dashboard shows the status of pressure, flow and pneumatic frequency signal. A Node-RED-based dashboard shows the overall health of the system from Festo AX analyzed data. Data can be easily exchanged via an MQTT broker.
Didactic distributed control system and PLC training tools exhibited
Festo Didactic, the training arm of Festo, develops hands-on training systems for post-secondary engineering labs and customer-based customized training. Didactic is also a leader in the mechatronic apprenticeship movement in North America.
At Automation Fair, Didactic shows its 3531 Distributed Control System (DCS) hands-on learning system. This learning system replicates process applications across a range of industries, including water and wastewater, oil refining, petrochemical and food processing.
This learning tool features the Rockwell Automation PlantPAx DCS system and simulates control scenarios, including temperature, pressure, flow, level, basic and advanced regulatory control, complex process control loops and cybersecurity practices. Didactic also features at Automation Fair advanced hands-on PLC and variable-frequency drive training systems.
About Festo U.S.
Festo is a leading manufacturer of pneumatic and electromechanical systems, components and controls for process and industrial automation. For more than 50 years in the U.S., Festo Corporation has continuously elevated the state of manufacturing with innovations and optimized motion control solutions that deliver higher performing, more profitable automated manufacturing and processing equipment. Through advanced technical and industrial education, Festo Didactic Learning Systems and its partners prepare workers for current and future manufacturing technologies.
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