New sensor from Festo
The new SFAM, from industrial automation specialist Festo, is a pressure and flow sensor combined in one compact unit. Equipped with IO-Link®, the SFAM sensor enables data-driven insights and reduces the number of components required, so system designers and machine builders can save time, space and cost. It also simplifies stocking and provides greater design flexibility.
The SFAM’s built-in pressure sensor and temperature measurement combination offers a wide range of options for process monitoring and control. For example, the SFAM can measure compressed air pressure, flow and consumption to offer a complete insight into the compressed air system using a single device. Fluctuations and anomalies in compressed air consumption can be conveniently monitored via IO-Link® to optimise energy efficiency and machine performance. The SFAM also makes leakages easier to identify, even in large systems with high flow rates. The data insights provided by the SFAM mean that energy consumption - and CO2 consumption - can be evaluated at plant level, contributing towards a more efficient, sustainable and safer system. In addition to compressed air, the SFAM is capable of measuring argon, nitrogen and carbon dioxide, which makes it ideal for inert gas monitoring.
Depending on the model specified, the SFAM can reliably measure flow rates up to 15,000 l/min. It provides an adjustable volume pulse for measuring consumption at control level and delivers outputs of volume and mass flow rate, as well as energy measurement. The SFAM features a high-contrast display and new, updated operating components for convenient and reliable operation, even in an industrial environment.
The in-built IO-Link® interface allows data to be collected seamlessly from the SFAM sensor and transferred to the control system. Advantages include minimal wiring effort, convenient remote parameterisation and a cost-effective, standardised connection cable. IO-Link® also enables faster commissioning and maintenance, thanks to a replicating parameters function. A changing colour display gives at-a-glance visualisation of the switching status and parameters.
Offering maximum flexibility, the SFAM can be configured as PNP or NPN, normally open or normally closed (NO or NC) and offers a choice of voltage or current outputs, which can be switched using software. It even has built-in memory in case the power is inadvertently shut off. Volume and mass flow rate measurements are available in all standard units and minimum and maximum values can be selected as triggers.
The SFAM is modular and easy to integrate in service units from the Festo MS series on new or existing machines. When combined with the MS6 and MS9 service units, it only requires one additional branching module, to assure a laminar flow. This saves installation space whilst also reducing installation effort. The SFAM is also available as a stand-alone unit with laminar flow inlet.
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
