FEATURE MACHINE BUILDING & FRAMEWORKS
ONLINE CONFIGURATION TOOL OFFERS HANDLING SOLUTIONS IN 20 MINUTES
Festo, the leading supplier of automation technology, has developed a new system for configuring ready-to-install handling systems in less than 20 minutes. The Handling Guide Online (HGO) significantly reduces design, assembly and delivery times compared with previous methods, from around two months to just three weeks for a standard handling system
application data into the tool, such as the load and stroke length. The system then calculates the most appropriate handling system for those needs. Comprehensive datasheets, a powerful
T
he new online tool is said to be a faster and more cost effective option
for design engineers looking to configure handling systems and can be found at
www.festo.co.uk/HGO. The HGO is suitable for design engineers specifying systems for applications such as palletisers, end-of-line packaging, assembling and laser cutting. “In the past, engineers would have to
go through a lengthy request for quotation, layout and quotation process when looking to order handling systems,” begins Nigel Dawson, product manager at Festo. “We recognised the need for a modern way of specifying systems, which makes the whole design and procurement simpler and developed this unique online software to make ordering and configuring handling systems a quick and easy experience.”
THREE STEP PROCESS The HGO uses three steps. First the engineer chooses between four Cartesian system options; single-axis systems, 2D linear gantry, 2D gantry and 3D gantry. Then the user enters the specific
With the Handling Guide Online you will find the right standard handling system quickly and easily in just three steps
animation and complete CAD model are all available for download in a matter of minutes in all common data formats. The last step allows the engineer to further configure the selected system, with additional options in accordance with their own requirements, for example the safety options, sensors and length of cabling. “In the final design, the HGO details exactly which parts make up the system and includes online links to the individual components. As a result users can easily order spare parts and have visibility on part availability and delivery times – in many cases this is next day,” continues Dawson. “HGO enables engineers specifying systems at their machine concept and quotation stage to very quickly have a fixed price, enabling them to be 100 per cent sure of their performance and costs in this area. Ultimately this means they can be more competitive”.
The Handling Guide Online will use your data to work out suitable solutions
Festo can pass significant price savings onto its customers, quotes are immediate, and using HGO eliminates the costs and time spent following up requests. In addition, to support the
supply of the system, Festo has built a European production facility for handling systems, applying automation techniques to the assembly, further reducing the cost of these systems. This is an additional benefit to machine builders, who can in turn share cost savings with their customers.
ABOUT FESTO Festo is a leading international supplier of automation technology with a turnover in 2013 of around €2.28 billion. Festo employs about 16,200 people worldwide and is a proven innovator and problem solver in the field of pneumatic and electrical automation where it has established itself as the performance leader. Festo Industrial Automation’s innovative strength is demonstrated through the introduction of around 100 new products being launched every year. The company invests over seven per cent of its turnover in R&D resulting in over 2,600 patents held worldwide. Festo Training & Consulting specialises
in the development of people, organisations and technology skills. Offering a range of open courses, structured development programmes and tailor-made, customer-specific projects, Festo trains over 42,000 delegates worldwide every year. Festo’s Bionic Learning Network
explores the links between nature and technology which open up new areas of innovation and demonstrates complex ideas in a stimulating and enjoyable way. Festo works with an alliance of internal R&D, external educational establishments and specialist companies, to advance the development of bionic solutions for automation applications of the future.
Festo T: 01252 775000
www.festo.co.uk/HGO
34 OCTOBER 2015 | AUTOMATION /AUTOMATION
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