Festo automation and support help accelerate the drive to vehicle electrification
Festo continues to broaden its expertise and resources to support the automotive industry's changing needs as it transforms from the internal combustion engine (ICE) towards electrification. From its comprehensive product portfolio, Festo offers coordinated solutions for the robust, safe and precise gripping and transport of battery cells, along with many years of experience to help optimise machine safety and energy efficiency.
Producing battery modules is a complex process that involves assembling costly and potentially dangerous electrochemical elements. Their production poses new challenges to the industry: for example, it is essential to avoid damaging the battery cells during handling. In the last two years, Festo has invested heavily to cover all the requirements for EV production. Festo's research and participation in joint research projects, which focus on the handling process for producing solid-state Li-ion battery cells or recycling batteries, also contribute to their development.
"We are already engaged with and supporting a range of gigafactory investments and subsequent projects for EV production, battery research and related infrastructure," says Pete Rogers, National Team Manager for Automotive at Festo GB. "Our specialist industry team is on hand to support the automation needs of this fast-growing sector."
Festo offers many products and solutions for manufacturing machines and systems along the entire production process chain, including copper-, zinc- and nickel-free products and dry- and clean-room compatible products. Festo's energy-efficient piezo valves and servo press, for example, are already driving equipment for producing wound battery cells. Using high-quality products pays off in this application because the batteries are costly and gigafactories run at high cycle rates, so maximising uptime is paramount.
Production facilities for batteries and EVs are currently being planned and built worldwide at short notice and high speed. The ability to train and on-board large numbers of employees very quickly is crucial. Festo Didactic offers industry-specific training concepts: from the Festo Learning Experience Platform for self-study to hands-on training.
Dr Ansgar Kriwet, Member of the Management Board for Sales: "In 2020, 70% of Festo's top projects in the automotive industry involved investments for electromobility." Over the next few years, Festo expects significant double-digit percentage growth in this segment.
For more information about Festo products and services for battery cell and EV production, visit: www.festo.co.uk/electrificationofpowertrain
About Festo
Festo is a leading international supplier of automation technology with a turnover in 2023 of around €3.65 billion. Festo employs over 20,600 people worldwide and is a proven innovator and problem solver in pneumatic and electrical automation, where it is the performance leader. Festo offers around 33,000 pneumatic and electric products in hundreds of thousands of variants for factory and process automation technology, many of which can be tailored to specific customer needs. Sustainability, reducing its CO2 footprint, digital learning, innovation, performance and speed are the key drivers for the company's future. Festo GB operates as a carbon neutral organisation and uses the PAS 2060 standard externally audited by NQA to validate this claim to customers, employees and other stakeholders.
Festo Industrial Automation's innovative strength is demonstrated through the launch of around 100 new products every year. The company invests over 7% of its turnover in R&D, resulting in over 2,600 patents held worldwide. For more information about the company's products and UK / Irish services, please visit: www.festo.com/gb and www.festo.com/ie
Festo and Industry 4.0 - Festo has engaged with the Industry 4.0 initiative from its inception: as a user, manufacturer and trainer. As a member of the steering group, the company has taken an active role in defining the core standards such as the RAMI model and the Administration Shell. Festo Didactic has installed Industry 4.0 Cyber-Physical Factory training hardware systems in many leading universities and training centres. It also provides Industry 4.0 training courses for change managers and practical workshops for employees. Industry 4.0 technologies such as OPC-UA communications are embedded in the latest generation products. For more information, go to www.festo.com/digitalisation
Festo Didactic training delivers training for industry – by industry. Combining Festo's industrial heritage with its future-focused manufacturing and engineering expertise to deliver courses for greater productivity and competitiveness. Offering a wide range of open courses, structured development programmes and tailor-made, customer-specific projects on technology and Industry 4.0 and the industry-leading online training suite, Festo LX. Festo also provides state-of-the-art training equipment solutions for industrial companies and educational institutions around the world. Festo Didactic has around 56,000 education customers worldwide. More information on Festo training and consulting services can be found at: www.festo.com/didactic
Festo Bionic Learning Network encapsulates the innovative nature of Festo, raising awareness and attracting talent to the company. Exploring the links between nature and technology opens new areas of innovation and demonstrates complex ideas in a stimulating and enjoyable way. Festo works with an alliance of internal R&D, external educational establishments and specialist companies to advance bionic solutions for automation applications of the future. The objective is to benefit from bionics as a source of inspiration and to realise these in industrial automation. For more information about Festo's Bionic Learning Network, please visit: www.festo.com/bionics
