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Optimising your field-level machine architecture
31 August 2023
Optimising your field-level machine architecture – striking the balance between decentralised, centralised or hybrid technology: join the Festo live webinar on Tuesday 7 November at 10am.
Automation today is more dependent than ever upon machine control architecture and its software. They determine the performance, build time and flexibility of the machine and have a massive impact on the price that the machine costs and can be built and sold for. These two mutually dependent factors are the most rapidly advancing aspects of machine design and are aptly encapsulated within the mega-trends ‘digitalisation’ and ‘flexibility’.
In this webinar, the Festo specialists will explain the existing technology utilised for remote electrical inputs and outputs, electric drive axis and pneumatic valve manifolds – from compact valve blocks up to multi-zoned ISO valve terminals. The webinar will look at where IO-Link, fieldbus and Ethernet options are typically applied and their advantages/disadvantages.
The presenters will then turn their attention to recent innovations which enable the technologies to be blended to suit the application. These innovations are ideal to address a modular family of machines, or a machine design that must adapt from one application to the next. Utilising both high-density, centralised IO, and distributed, lower density IO modules it is independent of the high-level machine communications, simply adapting to standard protocols.
We will look at the role of centralised, decentralised and hybrid configurations and your benefits when applied to different machine configurations. Looking beyond straightforward remote I/O we will consider using the latest connection technology for:
• Integrating multiple manufacturers' equipment – transparently, easily and cost effectively
• Reducing wiring, set-up, and commissioning times
• Building in performance and flexibility – control and data handling
• Obtaining flexibility with high performance with a keen eye on costs and TCO
The 45-minute webinar will conclude with a Q&A session, where attendees can ask questions and get advice.
This webinar is ideal for OEM design and controls engineers looking to develop modern, cost-effective machines using the latest technologies or in-house engineers looking to specify their future machinery control architectures.
If you are unable to attend the live webinar, please still register and you will be sent a link to the recording.
Our presenters:
Thierry Van den Bosch has worked in and around industrial automation throughout his career, first as a project engineer and now as a Product Marketing Manager for networks and controls. With over 20 years of experience in automation and control, he is passionate about automation technology and its applications.
Jonny Mottram has over 30 years' experience in engineering, from his apprenticeship through to his career progression in manufacturing and automation industries. He has had roles in sales and applications engineering and now is a Product Marketing Manager. No matter what area, he still likes to be a hands-on engineer.
Click here to register
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