Electromechanical actuators for accessible industrial automation

RS provides access to the Simplified Motion Series from Festo, a range of integrated electromechanical actuators designed to simplify the transition from pneumatic to electric motion control. The systems combine drive mechanics, motors, and servo drive functionality in compact units, targeting industrial manufacturing and intralogistics applications where cost, ease of use, and scalability are critical.

Transition from pneumatic to electric drive systems
The shift toward Industry 4.0, including automation, electrification, and digitalization, has increased demand for integrated electric motion solutions. While pneumatic systems remain widely used due to lower upfront costs, electric drive systems offer lower total cost of ownership through reduced energy consumption, improved control, and elimination of compressed air infrastructure.

The Simplified Motion Series addresses this gap by providing cost-optimized electric actuators suitable for small and mid-sized industrial operations, enabling broader adoption of smart automation technologies within a digital supply chain.

Integrated design and simplified commissioning
The actuators integrate mechanical drive components, motors, and control electronics into a single unit, eliminating the need for external servo drives. Based on a plug-and-work principle, installation and commissioning can be completed without dedicated software, programming knowledge, or control cabinets.

Configuration is performed via digital I/O (DIO) for core parameters such as speed, force, and end positions. Additional functionality is available through IO-Link, including remote parameterization, diagnostics, and data exchange. This approach allows users familiar with pneumatic systems to adopt electric motion control without significant retraining.

Application scope and motion capabilities
The series is designed for simple positioning and motion tasks, including feeding, sorting, aligning, clamping, and stopping. Although optimized for movements between two end positions, the actuators support intermediate positioning, controlled motion profiles, and cushioned end positioning.

Typical applications include production lines, automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS), material handling systems, packaging lines, and Cartesian robots used for sorting, assembly, and palletizing operations.

Product variants and motion types
The Simplified Motion Series includes multiple actuator types for linear and rotary motion:

On the rotary side, the ERMS actuator provides precise rotational movement with backlash-free bearings, suitable for applications such as diverters and positioning tasks in intralogistics systems.

Operational efficiency and system simplification
By replacing pneumatic systems, integrated electromechanical actuators eliminate the need for compressors, air preparation units, and distribution lines. This reduces maintenance requirements, energy losses, and system complexity.

The combination of simplified installation, integrated control, and reduced infrastructure contributes to improved operational efficiency and supports data-driven optimization in industrial environments.

Positioning within industrial automation
The Simplified Motion Series is positioned between traditional pneumatic solutions and fully programmable servo systems, offering a balance between cost and functionality. This enables manufacturers to adopt electric motion control incrementally while maintaining compatibility with existing processes and skill sets.

With this approach, RS and Festo support wider adoption of intelligent motion technologies, particularly among organizations seeking to modernize operations without extensive system redesign.

Edited by Maria Brueva, Induportals editor – adapted by AI.

www.rs-online.com