The Festo AX Controls automation portfolio, which has just been launched on the market, shows its open side. Vor Robotics, an innovative software company from Hanover, is integrating its automation software into Festo AX Controls. With the vor.core software, manufacturers, integrators and end users can easily create and run solutions for a wide range of applications as well as optimize and monitor the entire automation.
Vor Robotics is integrating its agnostic software core vor.core for flexible automation solutions into the new Festo Festo AX Controls automation environment. Thanks to the powerful vor.pioneer development environment, SPS 2024 visitors at Festo stand 305 in hall 9 can experience programming, simulating, testing and deploying applications with gantry robots.
Capable of integrating real-time applications
Festo AX Controls consists of the Festo AX OS operating system, the Festo AX motion control software, the Festo AX Machine Visualization visualization software and the first edge controller CEPE. The result is a flexible solution portfolio for industrial control tasks. Depending on customer requirements, the application field can be developed from classic motion controllers to a wide range of motion, IoT and edge tasks in industrial environments. The containerized runtime environment opens up new possibilities for integrating modern AI-based software.
Festo Edge Controller CEPE is the first product based on Festo AX Controls. The containerized runtime environment Festo AX OS allows different software applications to be integrated and run in parallel. Both real-time and non-real-time applications that run cyclically are used in parallel. Data is transparently available to the applications and can be parameterized by the user.
This creates the conditions for combining established industrial applications with the possibilities of modern information technology. Existing application modules from classic automation can continue to be used and combined with new software approaches. Existing proprietary components can be integrated via the software platform’s open interfaces and addressed in a standardized way, reducing effort and risk. Festo AX Controls OS is based on PLCnext technology from Phoenix Contact.
Festo AX Controls Platform
“With Festo AX Controls you get an industrial platform at your disposal. Existing interfaces and integrated basic software free you from standard tasks and allow you to focus on your customer’s interests. Together we guarantee uncompromisingly flexible automation and maximum reliability,” explains Jens Kotlarski, Managing Director of vor robotik.
“The automation market is undergoing major changes. Rapid product iterations, large numbers of variants, short reaction times and increasing cost pressures face major challenges for companies. For Festo, collaboration with innovative software companies plays an important role. “By working together with vorrobotik, we gain a lot of know-how and creativity,” explains Dr. Wolfgang Sperling, head of Festo’s Electric Automation business unit: “We are very pleased to be able to work with vorrobotik in this way.”