More customer success through seamless data accessibility
Users today face the challenge of having to integrate different topics such as control and motion, AI, data integration and evaluation, predictive maintenance and much more into their applications at the same time, with short development cycles and ever new requirements. Festo AX Controls presents an automation portfolio that takes these requirements into account. The motto "from the workpiece to the cloud" is taken further here, and Festo AX Controls combines many software modules such as operating system, motion, visualization, high-level languages and low-code through to commissioning software with a scalable hardware platform.
Festo AX Controls consists of the Festo AX OS (Operating System), the Festo AX Motion control software, the Festo AX Machine Visualization software and the first edge controller CEPE. This creates a flexible solution portfolio for industrial control tasks. Fields of application can be developed from the classic motion controller to a wide range of motion, IoT and edge tasks in the industrial environment, depending on customer requirements.
Common basis and open architecture for more benefits
Festo AX OS is based on PLCnext technology from Phoenix Contact, which was developed for industrial environments. This enables real-time applications, programming with modern programming languages and seamless cloud connectivity. The containerized runtime environment enables an open and modular software architecture and the integration of modern AI-based software. Cybersecurity requirements were already integrated during development. This creates the basis for accessing, evaluating, archiving and reusing valuable process data.
Festo AX Controls makes use of these advantages: users can develop individual solutions and seamlessly integrate existing systems to meet the requirements of various industrial applications. The efficiency of the development processes can also be increased through the use of open source software and apps - there are no limits to future extensions.
Powerful and communicative hardware
CEPE, the first edge device on Festo AX OS, is now also available for executing software modules at runtime. Equipped as standard with an Intel i3 processor and a wide range of communication interfaces such as EtherCAT or Festo's own AP master, the CEPE edge controller can be optimally connected to different control architectures: It seamlessly integrates Festo's entire electrical and pneumatic portfolio so that customers can always use the right technology for their application. The CEPE's industry-proven hardware with its open control architecture thus offers many development options for different software applications.
Many apps accessible
As a first step, Festo is already providing a large number of different software apps. CODESYS is a leading automation software for configuring control systems. Customers also have the option of programming automation tasks in high-level languages with a Python app.
Customers can also use Festo AX Industrial Intelligence, a powerful AI tool from Festo for predictive maintenance to increase system availability. All of these software apps and licenses will be available via the Festo online catalog. As part of the PLCnext Technology ecosystem, it will also be possible to purchase software from the growing PLCnext Store in the future.
Overcoming challenges together
The combination of Festo and Phoenix Contact's expertise enables profitable cooperation in order to master the technological challenges of digital transformation or cybersecurity, for example. The common goal of Festo and Phoenix Contact is to meet the requirements resulting from the convergence of IT and OT (Information Technology and Operations Technology) in the industry through open automation solutions.
About PLCnext Technology:
PLCnext Technology is the open ecosystem for industrial automation from Phoenix Contact. With its combination of open control technology, modular engineering software and online community, this solution enables easy adaptation to changing requirements and efficient use of existing and future software services. Together with a digital marketplace for software and systemic cloud integration, PLCnext Technology is up to the challenges of the IoT world.
Festo è un attore globale e un'azienda indipendente a conduzione familiare con sede a Esslingen am Neckar, in Germania. Fin dagli inizi Festo ha stabilito degli standard nella tecnologia dell'automazione industriale e nella formazione tecnica, contribuendo così allo sviluppo sostenibile dell'ambiente, dell'economia e della società. Prodotti e servizi sono disponibili in 176 paesi del mondo. L'azienda, infatti, fornisce tecnologia di automazione pneumatica ed elettrica a 300.000 clienti di automazione di fabbrica e di processo in oltre 35 industrie. Il settore LifeTech con la tecnologia medica e l'automazione di laboratorio sta diventando sempre più importante. Con circa 20.600 dipendenti in oltre 250 filiali in circa 60 paesi in tutto il mondo, Festo ha realizzato un fatturato di circa 3,65 miliardi di euro nel 2023. Ogni anno circa il 7% di questo fatturato viene investito in ricerca e sviluppo, mentre l'1,5 % del fatturato è investito nella formazione di base e di perfezionamento. Festo Didactic SE è un fornitore leader di formazione e formazione tecnica e offre ai suoi clienti in tutto il mondo soluzioni complete di apprendimento digitale e fisico in ambiente industriale.
