Function integration: a time-saving concept for machine builders

A new white paper, freely downloadable from Festo's website, outlines how 'function integration' - essentially the practice of combining electrical and mechanical components into a fully integrated, fully functional subsystem - can save a great deal of project time, as well as improving the operational reliability of machines.

As well as exploring some typical problems and conflicts that machine builders face during the course of their projects, it provides a real life application where 14 hours were saved over the course of a project by applying a high level of function integration.

The white paper explains that when electrical and pneumatic subsystems are separated, the different stages involved when building even relatively simple systems can be particularly time consuming.

Function integration means fewer interfaces, so the building process is more efficient and less time consuming - and there's the promise of increased systems reliability at the end of the project.

Machine automation is becoming increasingly complex as electrical and pneumatic drive and control technology, decentralised intelligence and special safety and diagnostic functions have all to be combined - often to a high level of customisation.

Festo argues that function integration, specifically when applied to automation platforms involving electronically controlled pneumatic systems, can significantly reduce both the number of interfaces and valve terminals required to achieve a desired level of automation.

The whitepaper sets out to demonstrate how functions, previously implemented separately, can now be integrated into a single pneumatic valve terminal, enabling machine and system builders to save valuable time during the design, procurement, assembly and commissioning phases of a project.

Festo claims that by using highly functionally integrated, pre-assembled units, installation times can be reduced by up to 60 percent. Moreover, function integration reduces the time associated with maintenance and service 

Festo product manager, Jacqui Hanbury says her company has recognised a distinct trend towards function integration in machine automation components. "With this whitepaper, we aim to show machine builders how they can fully implement a strategy to realise real time and cost savings,” she says.

“All-in-one pneumatic and electrical solutions and universal system concepts, together with expert consultation, are the central factors for success.”