Rapid leaps in innovation characterise the development of additive manufacturing processes. Rotterdam-based company Concr3de has been working on a 3D printer for stone for more than five years, developing an inkjet technique to participate in the reconstruction of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. They achieved this aim using automation technology from Festo.

The future belongs to human-robot cooperation. System builder BEC developed such a collaborative solution for Siemens Healthineers. It inserts coils weighing several tonnes precisely into the magnets of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines. Electric cylinders from Festo, which ensure the coils are securely gripped, play a crucial role here.  

Industrial automation specialist Festo has introduced a new cantilever electro-mechanical drive that is designed to meet the demanding specifications of modern production facilities. The new ELGT drive combines precision with high load-bearing capacity and rigidity, which makes it ideal for small parts and Lithium-ion battery manufacturing.