Compact guided cylinders feature increased embedded functionality and a far lower cost than the equivalent discrete components.
Leading automation specialist, Festo, has launched a range of compact guided cylinders that feature increased embedded functionality and a far lower cost than the equivalent discrete components. The global market for integrated drive solutions has seen exceptional growth over the past five years. The new range (type: DFM) from Festo further extends the company's guided cylinder solutions while eliminating user configuration and simplifying the order process with a single part number for a standard unit.

'All the work is done for you,' says Steve Sands at Festo.

'Our extended guided cylinder range offers easier selection and more competitive pricing than separate parts, plus it arrives ready assembled and tested.

And the individual components that make up the DFM subassembly are optimised to work perfectly together.' The basic module features multiple air input options to permit mounting the cylinders in a variety of different planes without impeding access to the air connection.

However, the new range also offers considerably more options over the standard units such as in-built stroke adjustment and end position shock absorption - the latter to facilitate higher loads and faster speeds where required.

Accuracy with end stop shock absorbers is not compromised: the design of the absorber allows the material to compress, ultimately giving a final metal-to-metal stop for absolute precision.

Festo offers the option of either plain bearings or backlash-free ball bearings for its new units depending upon the application requirement.

Actuator piston diameters range from a compact 12mm to a powerful 100mm, with stroke lengths of 10mm to 200mm.

The cylinder piston rod has freedom to float in relation to the end plate which isaccurately fixed to the two guide rods.

This robust twin-guide profile also allows the units to withstand high levels of side loading within a small space envelope.

'Our objective is to simplify the task of machine design and assembly,' explains Sands.

DFM units benefit from the Festo design expertise and heritage making them smaller and more refined than competitive units that could be considered similar.' DFM applications are targeted at special purpose machine build, assembly equipment, and applications in electronics, light mechanical assembly and pharmaceutical industries.

Typical functions for the units include transferring, pressing, feeding and pop-up conveyor stops - particularly with the unit's ability to withstand side loading.

As with all Festo components and system solutions, the DFM range is supported by extensive software tools for every step of the process, from specifying and configuring to ordering and commissioning.

Configurator software, available free on the Festo CD Catalogue, provides dimensioned parts with full 2-D and 3-D renderings ready for immediate use in CAD packages.