Innovative guide technology, high rigidity and guide load capacity for more load in the same installation space - these are the features of the new ELGD axis family from Festo. In addition, powerful drive elements offer high feed forces and accelerations for shorter cycle times and a long service life. A stainless steel cover strip is friction-free on the outside and does not allow any particles to form there. This makes the drives in the axis family ideal for use in cleanrooms.

Mondelez has chosen Festo electric drive technology for a new automated chocolate Easter egg mixing installation at its site in Herentals, Belgium. The egg mixing line uses an ingenious system of conveyors to ensure that everyone finds a nice mix of flavours in their pack of chocolate eggs at Easter. Electric drives were chosen over pneumatics because they offer lower energy consumption, higher safety and more flexibility in controlling speeds and positions.

Seeds are the new gold. Why is that? Plant-based foods can feed an ever-growing world population. But climate change, pests and diseases threaten plant breeding. To help develop resistant seeds and make them available to agriculture, plant breeders need vast amounts of DNA. That is precisely why Synchron Lab has developed the "DNA factory", which is automated with handling gantries, electric axes, pneumatic grippers and sensors from Festo.

Machine builders no longer need to choose between a stepper or servo drive, thanks to the CMMT-ST from Festo. This new extra low voltage servo drive is capable of open or closed loop positioning, which effectively bridges the gap between stepper and servo drives. This means the user can tailor the CMMT-ST to suit the needs of the application and reap the benefits of both control formats.