At CMTS, Festo shows how integrating new hardware and digital tools makes automation projects faster, simpler and seamless

Festo’s new CMMT-AS and CMMT-ST perform exceedingly well as standalone servo drives, but as an integral part of the Festo automation platform, they can be commissioned in literally minutes using the new, PC-based Festo Automation Suite software.

Mississauga, ON, October 2, 2019 – Visitors to the Festo booth at this week’s Canadian Manufacturing Technology Show can actually touch some parts of the Festo automation platform, like the next generation CMMT-AS and CMMT-ST servo drives. It’s what they can’t touch that is taking automation projects to a new level of convenience. The platform is an holistic system for facilitating seamless, universal connectivity. The platform elements – an expanding portfolio of mechanical and electrical components, downloadable software and online configurators – are integrated and optimized to simplify and accelerate every aspect of an automation project, from planning and design through commissioning and even connection to the cloud. It makes automation more accessible, with major time- and cost savings, less risk and potentially a lot less aggravation.

Of course, the new CMMT-AS and CMMT-ST servos are excellent as standalone products. They perform their drives functions exceedingly well, whether paired with Festo or third party motors. However, as an integral part of the automation platform, they offer additional, unique benefits: They can be commissioned in literally minutes using the new, PC-based Festo Automation Suite software, another platform feature. With this free downloadable software, only five easy steps are needed to parameterize and configure all parts of a servo drive/motor closed loop installation using CMMT-AS and CMMT-ST drives, from the mechanical system to the system controller. The software is very intuitive, with a clean looking interface that’s easy to grasp and customize.

For the expert user, a CMMT-AS plug-in for the Automation Suite software provides access to all device parameters to make advanced optimizations. Also, it allows the CMMT-AS to be integrated into the program of Festo’s CPX-E controller with just two clicks rather than the 100 or so it would take otherwise. Once the drive is paired on-screen with the controller, the integration of the necessary libraries and the linking of process data to the transfer of important axis parameters takes place automatically.

Another new Festo component on display at CMTS– the CPX-AP-I remote I/O control module – also has a plug-in that can be added to the Automation Suite software for fast, easy commissioning.

Besides the Automation Suite software, the roster of digital tools on the automation platform includes the proven Handling Guide Online for designing a Festo handling system in as little as 20 minutes, Festo Projects, which simplifies project planning and the lifecycle management of Festo components, and Festo Dashboards, for visualizing cloud-based data and supporting big data analytics. (When the Festo Motion Control Package is ordered along with a Festo handling system, the user gets a complete hardware and software package, usually in just a few weeks. It includes servo drives with safety circuit, power supply, gateway to the customer’s preferred fieldbus and circuit protection; all pre-assembled and pre-wired, tested and certified for fast start-up. Artesian motion applications can be configured and integrated quickly with function blocks or AOIs for various controller brands. Again, speed and simplicity, saving time, money and aggravation.)

Best in class servos are Festo’s best value ever

Now more about those new servo drives: The CMMT-AS and CMMT-ST deliver optimized sizing and pricing. CMMT-AS is one of the most compact servo drives on the market for point-to-point and interpolating motion with servo motors up to 2500 W. CMMT-AS offers integrated fieldbus connectivity (EtherCAT, Profinet, Ethernet/IP) without the need for the installation of an external card like older Festo drives. It’s optimized cooling system produces a smaller size to power ratio and requires no air gaps between other controllers, so it takes up less space in control cabinets, with much shorter connection time. The CMMT-AS also supports multiple encoder technology options – so many kinds of motors can be used, but it makes an optimal pairing with Festo’s new EMMT-AS servo motor, with which it can be paired using an OCP one-cable solution for especially easy, fast installation.

At about half the size of the CMMT-AS and available at a significantly lower price point, the CMMT-ST has been optimized for high efficiency tasks with lower power requirements of up to 300 W, in particular, stepper motors. The drive is suitable for different Ethernet-based bus systems and can be seamlessly integrated in the system environments of various manufacturers. The same fast commissioning provided by the Automation Suite software means the drive can be up and running in minutes. The connection and communications concept and standard safety features of the CMMT-AS and CMMT-ST are the same, so the two can be combined without any difficulty to drives large and small axes in the same application.

Festo at a glance

Festo, the world’s leading supplier of automation technology and technical education, is deploying its products and services to meet the challenges of digitization and smart production. Established in 1925, the independent, family-owned company based in Esslingen, Germany, has been a driving force in automation for over 60 years. Some 300,000 customers worldwide in factory and process automation put their trust in the company’s pneumatic and electric drive solutions. In addition, Festo Didactic provides state-of-the-art training solutions for industrial companies and educational institutions.  The Festo Group registered sales of around €3.2 billion in the 2018 financial year and is represented worldwide at 250 locations with a total of 20,200 employees. About 8% of its annual turnover is invested in research and development.