Festo delivers the systems directly to the packaging machine, ready to install and adapted to all required machine interfaces.

HAUPPAUGE, NY, June 25, 2012 - Festo's new highspeed

H-gantries and T-gantries are 30 per cent faster than
conventional handling systems. They herald a new age in
packaging technology, combining the dynamic response of a linear
motor handling system with the costs of a toothed belt handling
solution.

These two handling systems represent real alternatives to
expensive and complex robot systems such as robots with delta
kinematics and SCARAs. Festo delivers the systems directly to the
machine, ready to install and adapted to all required machine
interfaces.

High-speed T-gantry
The high-speed T-gantry can easily achieve cycle times of 670
milliseconds. It is a high-speed pick and place unit with a higher
dynamic response than a conventional linear gantry and can be scaled
to any stroke.

The gantry has a speed of 4 m/s and achieves acceleration
rates of 50 m/s² over the entire working area thanks to a clever design
that connects both toothed belt axes to the cross member with a single
rotating toothed belt around the drive shaft. The belt is driven by two
servo motors EMMS. An added benefit is the fact that the motors do
not need to be moved within the X/Y area with its two degrees of
freedom. Reduced mass and two servo drives, which are mounted
parallel to each other, facilitate fast, dynamic motion and result in less
wear.

High-speed H-gantry
The 3D/planar surface gantry distributes packaged foodstuffs
such as small chocolate bars to boxes. It covers a rectangular working
area that is significantly larger than that of robot systems with delta
kinematics, which can only work in round or kidney-shaped areas.

Other disadvantages of many delta robots are the high costs, the
installation weight of approximately 150 kg, and the large installation
footprint.

The high-speed H-gantry, on the other hand, can be scaled to
any stroke, has a very low profile, a low centre of gravity, and a
simpler frame than high-speed delta robots. Its optimized acceleration
and braking characteristics enable strokes of two meters and one
meter along the X- and Y-axes, with an accuracy of 0.2 mm.

The rotary/lifting module of the high-speed H-gantry is
ingenious too. It consists of a hollow shaft with integrated energy
through-feed for the front-end module and forms the Z-axis to which
the gripper unit is attached. The rotary/lifting module accelerates to a
speed of 1.5 m/s at a rate of 20 m/s². Vacuum and mechanical
grippers with work piece loads ranging from zero to two kilograms can
thus be operated.

Robotics for system solutions
The handling system is based on the robotic controller CMXR. It
combines mechanical systems as well as electric drive and control
technology to form a complete kinematic system solution and
coordinates highly dynamic motion in 3D space. The robotic controller
CMXR interpolates and positions all the axes that can trace contours
on a center line. Contour switching points can be set and used for
accurate activation of process equipment.

The CMXR also acts as an interface to master controllers on the
one hand and to the motor controllers of the servo axes and the valve
terminals on the other. And that's not all. The controller also supports the
integration of vision systems such as the intelligent Compact Vision
System SBO..-Q from Festo. Applications involving moving objects
can also be realized with the help of the vision system and the
available conveyor systems.

Easy subsystem integration
Festo delivers the ready-to-install system solution directly to the
machine, fully assembled and tested. All pertinent engineering data
and circuit diagrams are also supplied, together with a comprehensive
operating and fixed-price guarantee. Customers in the packaging
technology sector receive not only hardware in the form of a ready-toinstall
subsystem, but also a complete value creation package.

Complete solutions reduce the workload for technical staff, keep
engineering expenses to a minimum, simplify the procurement
process, and reduce process costs.

About Festo
Festo is a leading global manufacturer of pneumatic and
electromechanical systems, components, and controls for process
control and factory automation solutions, with over 55 national
headquarters serving more than 180 countries.
Celebrating 40 years of innovation in the United States and over 80 years
globally, Festo continuously elevates the state of manufacturing with
innovations and optimized motion control solutions that deliver higher
performing, more profitable automated manufacturing and processing
equipment.

Our dedication to the advancement of automation extends beyond
technology to the education of current and future automation and robotic
designers with simulation tools, teaching programs, and on-site services.

For sales information, call Festo at 800-993-3786.