Tips For Selecting Energy Efficient Pneumatic And Electric Drives

The drive technology is often selected rashly on the basis of empirical values. However, a technology independent comparison is always recommended. One needs to become aware of the specific properties of the application in order to make an ideal selection.

General

• Design safety coefficients correctly – cumulation reduces the economic efficiency.
• Electrical systems can be overloaded briefly; pneumatic drives can also be overloaded over a long period of time. This “potential” should always be utilized, for example to enable components to be downsized.
• Lines of minimum length for current and compressed air – the longer lines are, the higher the loss of energy.
• Avoid misalignments by flexibly coupling the drive and load.
• Reduce moving masses as far as possible.

Electric drives

• The selection of the correct spindle geometry influences the operating costs. An automatic locking spindle for vertical strokes may possibly save an energy-intensive holding brake.
• De-energize drives at rest as far as possible.
• Avoid “self-made solutions” whenever possible. The drive power is used to best effect by guided systems consisting of linear guides and electric drives.
• Program energy-optimized positioning profiles which, for example, prevent high accelerations.
• Provide energy recovery for the braking energy.

Pneumatic drives

• Reduce the air consumption by using single-acting cylinders wherever possible.
• Size pneumatic cylinders correctly. Cylinders which are too large consume an unnecessary amount of compressed air – while cylinders which are too small have to be operated at the maximum permissible pressure. High system pressures cost an unnecessary amount of money.
• Use cylinders with round piston rods in preference to those with oval and rectangular piston shapes which always have relatively high leakage rates.
• The combination of drive and guide guarantees ideal operating characteristics, while being easy on the seals. This helps to prevent higher leakage rates.
• Appropriate hard scrapers on the piston rod reduce wear in dusty environments.
• Actuate valves according to the requirements – while taking into account individual applications.
• Check whether the pressure for the non-productive stroke of a drive can be lowered.

Tools For Pneumatic And Electric Drives

Each application needs to be sized individually. When designing a system, the measures and drive technology combinations that are most energy-efficient must be considered at the planning stage. The comprehensive product portfolio enables Festo to offer the optimum drive technology both for pneumatic and electric drives. This ensures that the correct drive is used, in particular in terms of energy efficiency, regardless of whether it is a linear drive with lead screw, recirculating ball drive, belt drive or linear direct drive.

Pneumatic Sizing

Perfect simulations replace expensive reality tests. The Festo sizing software supports you like an expert system in the selection, configuration and sizing of the total pneumatic control chain. If a parameter

is edited, the program automatically adapts all the others. When configuring a pneumatic control chain, the program makes sure all system components are of the right size.

Positioning Drives

Which electromechanical linear drive best meets your needs? Enter the data of your application, such as:

• Position values
• Working load
• Mounting position

The software will suggest an optimized solution. Incorrect sizing and wasting energy now belong to the past. The joint design of drive technology, gear unit and motor prevents safety factors from becoming an issue and oversized electrical drive systems from consequently wasting primary energy.