Magnetics Business & Technology - July/August 2020 - 26

INDUSTRY NEWS

Festo and Magswitch Forge Cooperation in
Magnetic Workholding Solutions

automation. "In addition, we have joint research and development projects underway. Extending our relationship to include
Festo being a supplier and distributor benefits the numerous
companies that will now have access to Festo and Magswitch
integrated solutions."
Basically, a magnetic switch is a device that allows a magnetic
field to be turned on and off mechanically like an electromagnet
but without the need for ongoing power to sustain a strong magnetic field. Often, they utilize two permanent magnets housed
in discs which swivel on a common axis to manage polarity of
the top and bottom magnets. When the polarity of the top and
bottom magnets align, the magnet is switched on. Swiveling
one disc can take them out of alignment. This puts the opposing
fields in line with each other, canceling out the powerful combined pull of all the magnets and releasing the item being held.

Festo now offers Magswitch switchable magnetic gripping and
clamping solutions to automotive and original equipment manufacturers through a new distribution agreement. The arrangement was announced by Festo in December from its US office
in Islandia, NY, and it also noted that the two companies have
joint research and development projects underway.
"The technology is a natural complement to the Festo range of
products and global customer base," said Ian Cleaver, Festo
industry segment director. The single sided gripping systems
feature true on-and-off magnetic technology that can simplify
and lower costs of automation systems in OEM assembled lines
in such applications as robotic welding, pick-and-place, and
body-in-white. The components integrate seamlessly into the
Festo electric and pneumatic automated motion architecture.
Examples cited include press lines and stamping operations
where switchable magnets can handle lubricated sheet metal
blanks more effectively than suction cups by gripping through
lubrication. In assembly and body-in-white applications, switchable magnets offer the versatility and simplicity of suction cups
while maintaining the reliability and safety of traditional power
clamps. With single sided clamping, the tools can facilitate
higher speed and quality while welding, and when integrated
with vision systems the tools streamline bin picking and
handling randomly arranged components. In machine tending
and pick-and-place applications, operations can be performed
significantly faster with switchable magnetic end-of-arm tools
compared to mechanical grippers, power clamps, and suction
cups. Separating ferromagnetic sheets with Magswitch sheet
fanners and variable flux systems decreases downtime significantly and enables double blank detection.
"Switchable magnetics from Magswitch is an important addition to the Festo range of pneumatic and electric grippers and
clamps," said Darren O'Driscoll, product manager with Festo.
"The fact these components integrate seamlessly within the
Festo motion architecture adds additional value." Magswitch
offers custom-pole-shoe accessories that can securely grip
components with various geometries. Applications in I-beam
handling, fixture tooling, and ergonomic lift assistance can deliver efficiency gains while reducing downtime and capital costs.
"Festo technology is incorporated within our switchable magnetic components," said Joseph Cyrek, Magswitch president of

Magnetics Business & Technology * July/August 2020

Based in Lafayette, Colorado, Magswitch specializes in developing products using switchable magnetics and has more
than 65 patents and patents pending involving the technology.
It partners with OEMs such as Festo on many of its products,
a business model that has enabled it to grow by leveraging its
technology and products through established global industrial
and automation manufacturers.
Festo is a manufacturer of pneumatic and electromechanical
systems, components and controls for process and industrial
automation that is based in Esslingen, Germany. Many of its
products utilize magnetic technologies and, lately, the company
has been developing new concepts with superconductor technology for future products.
For more info see www.festo.com and www.magswitch.com.

A Game Changer - Carter Motor Company
Joins Orchid Monroe

Orchid Monroe and Carter Motor Company have signed an
agreement to join forces. The deal is structured as an acquisition by Orchid of Carter, although practically it is more of a
merger of two businesses coming together to provide a full
range of solutions for its motor and generator customers. Pictured above are motors in process at Carter Motor Company
Orchid's President and CEO, Grant Bibby, said of the acquisition, "This is a game changer for both companies. We each
specialize in different manufacturing processes for electric
machines. Combining the capabilities and resources of both
businesses, we now have the capability to engineer and
manufacture highly efficient and specialized electric motor and
generator products for our customers, including providing full

www.MagneticsMag.com

http://www.festo.com/ http://www.magswitch.com/ http://www.MagneticsMag.com

Magnetics Business & Technology - July/August 2020

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