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Make decisions based on facts
15 November 2021
The new Festo Automation Experience (Festo AX) offers easy-to-use software modules for monitoring components, machines and systems. This transformation to maintenance, based on data, is another step towards more efficient and optimised production.
It draws together many elements of the machine-level digitalisation jigsaw in a very simple and usable way. At the centre of this application is the capability to provide AI-assisted condition monitoring, preventative maintenance and energy saving.
The Festo AX Energy module provides full transparency of current and historical energy consumption making it extremely easy to conduct energy audits and, for example, to produce ISO50001 compliant reports. The software can monitor Festo flow and pressure monitoring and control devices as well as 3rd party sensors.
Festo AX Maintenance looks at the data gathered from standard pneumatic actuators (electric actuators coming in 2021) and following a short AI ‘training phase’ detects anomalies, turning unplanned stoppages into planned maintenance based on predictive models. Refining the algorithm through “human in the loop” input increases prediction confidence. The output is integrated into smart maintenance regimes with the app-based Smartenance software tool.
Benefits at a glance include:
• Reduced downtime through predicted device failure and timely error messages
• Save up to 20% in maintenance time with error detection
• Increased daily output by monitoring and identifying bottlenecks and optimising cycle times
• Reduced consequential losses due to unplanned stoppages thanks to process transparency and traceability
• Continuous improvements with root cause analysis (RCA)
Data collected from the shop-floor is initially evaluated on Edge with the capability of communicating to the Cloud e.g. Microsoft Azure or AWS. The “AX-Core” provides the basic framework and can be simply expanded, launch modules include preventative maintenance and energy efficiency, these will be expanded over time.
Festo is continuously developing a powerful range of Industry 4.0-based products and services for higher productivity through digitalisation. From the advanced training systems used by many colleges and universities to intelligent products and the Smartenance, digital maintenance toolkit.
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