Posted to News on 19th Jun 2013, 17:14
White Paper: benefits of function integration in valve terminals
Festo has published a new white paper Function integration saves time all around, which outlines how machine builders and engineers can improve efficiency and productivity. As well as exploring some typical problems and conflicts faced by machine builders in the project process, it gives a real-life application in which 14 hours were saved over the course of a project by applying a high level of function integration in valve terminals.
The white paper, which can be downloaded from www.festo.co.uk/function-integration, explains that when electrical and pneumatic subsystems are separated, all the phases of building even relatively simple systems can take a lot of time. Function integration offers increased reliability, reduced interfaces and saves time along the entire value chain, therefore improving efficiency.
In machine building, the scale and the technical complexity of automated systems is constantly increasing. Electrical and pneumatic drive and control technology, decentralised intelligence and special safety and diagnostic functions are mixed and combined with an ever higher level of customisation. Function integration in automation platforms significantly reduces the number of interfaces and valve terminals, and decentralised intelligence delivers a further boost to productivity.
The white paper clearly demonstrates how functions, previously implemented separately, have now all been integrated into one valve terminal with a high level of electrical and pneumatic integration, thereby enabling machine and system builders to save valuable time during design, procurement, assembly and commissioning. Function integration also reduces the time associated with maintenance and service and, by using pre-assembled units, installation times can be reduced by 60 per cent.
Jacqui Hanbury, Product Manager at Festo, says: "At Festo we have seen a trend towards function integration and, with this White Paper, we aim to show machine builders how they can fully implement a strategy to realise real time and cost savings. All-in-one pneumatic and electrical solutions and universal system concepts, together with expert consultation, are the central factors for success."
Follow the link to download a copy of the free White Paper Function integration saves time all around, or for more information about Festo's pneumatic and electric automation products go to www.festo.co.uk.
