New ELCC cantilever axis from Festo can cut cycle times 
by up to 30%
Date
31.03.20
Our reference
FTO022

Press Information
Industrial automation specialist Festo has introduced a new cantilever axis with toothed belt that has been optimised for vertical applications where short cycle times are important. Ideal for pushing and pressing, the ELCC series is particularly suited to the requirements of the packaging, automotive and machine tool sectors.

Thanks to its innovative construction, the ELCC series improves upon previous Festo models by offering a combination of excellent rigidity, minimal moving mass and high dynamics. As a result, the ELCC offers the potential to cut damping of vibrations at the front end by up to 50%. The improved ratio between moving mass and rigidity also allows higher acceleration, delivering up to 30% shorter cycle times. 

Cantilever axes like the ELCC series are used wherever the axis has to leave the working space after motion has been completed. Examples include vertical motion involving loading and unloading, motion through doors to closed working spaces, and motion in dirty working spaces. Typical applications include the erection, loading and sealing of cardboard boxes in packaging facilities; handling of engines and transmissions or feeding metal sheeting in automotive assembly lines; and handling tools during machine tool changeovers.

The ELCC series can be used as a Z-axis in combination with Festo EGC, EGC-HD and ELGA in 2D or 3D systems. Recommended vertical payloads are between 10-100kg, with maximum torques of 35, 100, 170 or, 310Nm depending on model size selection. Offering a repetition accuracy of ± 0.05mm, each ELCC cantilever axis operates at maximum speeds of 5m/s and has a stroke length of 2000mm as standard. 

A modular system design enables specifiers and machine builders to customise the ELCC to meet individual application requirements. Users can select from four different widths (60, 70, 90, 110mm) and three different toothed belt variants: a standard black rubber belt for long service life, an FDA-compliant white, uncoated PU (polyurethane) for hygienic applications, or a green coated PU belt which offers good resistance to cooling lubricants. The ELCC can be supplied with or without a stainless steel guide cover, an integrated clamping unit, or an additional slide. There is also an option to incorporate an incremental displacement encoder with a resolution of 2.5µm. The ELCC’s outstanding technical performance means it is often possible to select smaller sizes, making the overall system more compact and less expensive.

For more information about the ELCC, visit: www.festo.co.uk/elcc 

Ends
The press text and photo(s) can be downloaded from www.festo.co.uk/press/elcc

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Images and captions:

ELCC cantilever axis from Festo can cut cycle times in handling applications by up to 30%.

About Festo 
Festo is a leading international supplier of automation technology with a turnover in 2018 of around €3.2 billion. Festo employs about 21,200 people worldwide and is a proven innovator and problem solver in the field of pneumatic and electrical automation where it has established itself as the performance leader. Festo offers over 30,000 pneumatic and electric products for factory and process automation technology which can be tailored to specific customer needs in a variety of modular programs.

Festo Industrial Automation’s innovative strength is demonstrated through the introduction of around 100 new products being launched every year. The company invests over 8% of its turnover in R&D resulting in over 2,600 patents held worldwide. For more information about the company’s products and services, please visit: www.festo.co.uk

Festo and Industry 4.0 - Festo has engaged with the Industry 4.0 initiative from its inception: as a user, manufacturer and trainer.  Appointed by the German government as a member of the steering group the company has taken an active role in the definition of the core standards such as the RAMI model and the Administration Shell.  Festo Didactic has also developed the Industry 4.0 Cyber-Physical Factory training hardware installed in many leading universities and training centres, as well as Industry 4.0 training courses covering the strategic overview for change managers and practical workshops for employees. Industry 4.0 technologies such as OPC-UA communications are embedded in the latest generation products. For more information go to www.festo.co.uk/I40
 
Festo Training & Consulting delivers training for industry – by industry. Combining Festo’s industrial heritage with its future-focused manufacturing and engineering expertise to create courses that deliver greater productivity and competitive advantage to businesses. Offering a range of open courses, structured development programmes and tailor-made, customer-specific projects on technology, Industry 4.0 and People & productivity. More information on the training and consulting services can be found at: www.festo-didactic.co.uk

Festo’s Bionic Learning Network encapsulates the innovative nature of Festo, raising awareness and attracting talent to the company. Exploring the links between nature and technology opens up new areas of innovation and demonstrates complex ideas in a stimulating and enjoyable way. Festo works with an alliance of internal R&D, external educational establishments and specialist companies, to advance the development of bionic solutions for automation applications of the future. The objective is to benefit from bionics as a source of inspiration for new technologies and to realise these in industrial automation. For more information about Festo’s Bionic Learning Network, please visit: www.festo.com/bionics

For more information please visit www.festo.com

Telephone number for publication: - 01252 775000

Journalist contact:
Alison Jones, Publitek
Tel: 01582 390980 
Email: alison.jones@publitek.com