Festo has launched a stainless steel servo motor and electric cylinder designed for automation in food processing, pharmaceuticals and other environments exposed to moisture, aggressive cleaning agents and corrosive substances.
The EMMH-AS servo motor and EPRF-BS electric cylinder can operate independently or as a coordinated motion system, combining linear movement and precise positioning with protection against high-pressure washdowns.
Both components are made from 316L stainless steel and rated IP69K for protection against high-pressure cleaning and CRC4 for corrosion resistance. Their hygienic design includes smooth surfaces, hygienic seals and NSF-H1 food-grade grease.
The system is intended for applications including filling, dosing, bottling, portioning, cutting and packaging, as well as outdoor installations and industrial environments exposed to saltwater, oil or chemical mist.
The EMMH-AS servo motor is available in four sizes, with power ratings from 195 W to 1.52 kW. Its single-cable design incorporates pressure compensation tubing to simplify installation in humid environments, while a battery-free absolute encoder provides positioning feedback without the maintenance requirements associated with battery replacement. An optional holding brake supports applications involving vertical axes.
The EPRF-BS electric cylinder uses a ball screw drive to deliver feed forces of up to 12,500 N, repeatability of ±0.02 mm and stroke lengths of up to 1,000 mm. Available in five sizes with a choice of screw pitches, it allows machine builders to balance speed, force and positioning accuracy.
Hygienic venting is designed to limit internal condensation, while a double-seal wiper system improves sealing performance in wet and corrosive conditions. Six mounting configurations and axial or parallel motor mounting options provide flexibility when integrating the cylinder into machinery.
Festo is supporting both products with its Electric Motion Sizing and Automation Suite software, which helps engineers select and configure motor, drive and actuator combinations according to application requirements.
The system is compatible with Festo servo drives and industrial communication protocols including Profinet, EtherCAT, Ethernet/IP and Modbus. Festo said the tools are intended to reduce engineering time, simplify commissioning and help avoid design errors.
The stainless steel motion series is aimed at manufacturers seeking to automate processes in which conventional motion components may require additional protection or more frequent maintenance because of cleaning regimes and exposure to corrosive substances.
