• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Subscribe
  • Your Membership
    • Edit Your Profile
  • Services
    • Advertising
    • Case studies
    • Design
    • Email marketing
    • Lead generation
    • Magazine
    • Press releases
    • Publishing
    • Sponsored posts
    • Webcasting
    • Webinars
    • White papers
    • Writing
  • Shop
    • My Account
    • Cart
  • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy
    • Terms of use
  • Events

Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

  • News
  • Features
  • Video
  • Webinars
  • White papers
  • Press releases
  • Featured companies
    • AMD Xilinx
    • BlueBotics
    • Elite Robot
    • RGo Robotics
    • SICK Sensor Intelligence
    • Vicor Power
lely Astronaut Milking Robot copy

Festo and Lely unveil new version of milking robot

January 23, 2019 by Sam Francis

Festo and Lely have developed the fifth generation of a milking robot – called “Astronaut A5”.

The companies say the strategic partnership between the two family-owned companies creates “technological advantages” which place them “at the forefront of robotic milking technology”.

The collaboration between Lely and Festo for nearly 20 years demonstrates how a simple customer-supplier relationship can evolve into a strategic partnership on an equal footing. 

From one product generation to the next, Lely, a leading company in dairy farm automation from the Netherlands, got Festo more and more involved in the development of the Astronaut Milking Robot project.

The hybrid robot arm was the result of a cooperative, agile project team.

lely milking robot copy

Lely says it wants to make life as easy as possible for farmers. This is why the company started automating all the work steps carried out in the cow barn, from milking to cleaning.

Lely also advises its customers on how they can cleverly organise their dairy farms with the help of management systems. Automation helps to avoid hard, monotonous work and increases output to meet the rising demand for milk products due to the growing world population.

At the same time, fewer and fewer next generation farmers are willing to accept the hard work associated with farming. Automation makes it possible to establish round-the-clock operations, enables the farmer to focus on the real changes and ensures maximum freedom for the animals.

Lely’s Astronaut A5 milking robot which was launched on the market in April 2018 was specifically developed with these objectives in mind.

Strategic business partnership

The Astronaut A5 is the result of continuous development of the earlier models Astronaut A3 and A4. And it’s precisely these different milking robot generations which shows the evolution of Festo from a component supplier to a strategic business partner.

From the first delivery of servo-pneumatic components for the Astronaut A3, Lely and Festo continued working together and developed the current solution for the robot arm of the Astronaut A5 milking robot with electric actuators and software from Festo.

Martijn Boelens, vice president customer solutions at Lely, says: “Just like Lely, Festo is an internationally active family-owned company which focuses on long-term responsibility instead of short-term profits. When it comes to product development we have a similar approach.”

But getting back to the milking process itself: when a cow enters the milking stanchion, it is identified and the management software decides if the cow is ready to be milked. If it is, the milking process starts.

Each cow wears a small transmitter chip on which data such as size, weight, recommended feed quantity and last milking time are saved.

Arnoud Nieuwdorp, global key account manager at Festo, says: “The fact that the cow barn is an extremely adverse environment has to be taken into consideration. In addition, you also have to remember the fact that the cows will occasionally kick the milking robot’s arm.”

Energy-efficient electric actuators

The hybrid arm in the Astronaut A5 is set into motion by two electric cylinders ESBF from Festo and a customised, horizontal toothed belt axis. With its smooth surfaces and in clean look design, the ESBF is easy to clean, making it less susceptible to contamination.

The actuators are powered by customised EMCA motors.

The complete EMCA solution for positioning the electromechanical drives and controlling format changeovers consists of a maintenance and wear-free EC motor, as well as a motor controller including power electronics.

This avoids long motor cables, improves electromagnetic compatibility and reduces installation effort and space requirements.

Valve terminals type VTUB-12 valve terminals control the process valves for the milking process.

Nieuwdorp says: “Compared to the servo-pneumatic and hybrid predecessor models, namely Astronaut A3 and A4, the electrically actuated powered robot arm has clear advantages.

“Its motion is gentler, and it’s more energy-efficient and faster because it requires 30 percent less time to place the teat cups on the cow. And installation time is also reduced thanks to the use of quick connectors.

Dr Jan Bredau, head of systems engineering at Festo headquarters in Esslingen, Germany, says: “Operating and maintenance costs, and thus the total cost of ownership, are lower as well.”

Software from Festo

The mechatronics solution developed by Lely and Festo doesn’t work without software.

Boelens says: “We take advantage of Festo’s know-how so that we can concentrate on our core areas of expertise for the development of the overall Astronaut system.”

Nieuwdorp says: “We were able to involve the application software team from the System Solutions division at Festo headquarters in Esslingen; they developed the motion software for the fully automated milking robot.”

Bredau says: “The application software team creates software modules that aren’t only suitable for fulfilling the specific requirements of customer projects, but can also be used again for other projects.”

Application software is implemented using function blocks, libraries or sample programs. The focus is on the CodeSys language specified by IEC61131-3, and Festo control systems. The team simulates the software functions with Matlab Simulink.

The experience gained from the milking robot’s complex motion task, for example using SoftMotion, is being integrated into other software libraries.

Bredau says: “The benefit for our customer is that motion sequences can be easily configured via an intuitive customer interface without any programming knowledge.”

Trend towards digitalisation

The collaboration between Lely and Festo will continue. Future trends like “Farm 4.0” and “Farm of the Future” are based on Lely’s T4C management system (Time for Cows), which provides cow-specific information about health and fertility, as well as milk production quantity and quality, for feed suppliers and veterinarians.

New topics which are being discussed include condition monitoring and predictive maintenance as Lely intends to drastically reduce its service costs with these concepts.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Share this:

  • Print
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
  • Skype
  • WhatsApp
  • Telegram
  • Pocket

You might also like…

Filed Under: Features, Industry Tagged With: astronaut milking robot, festo, lely, milking robot

Join the Robotics & Automation News community

Primary Sidebar

Latest articles

  • Comau builds robotic welding solution for Daimler Trucks China operation
  • Mitsubishi Electric Automation releases new 3D simulator software
  • Kuka unveils new compact autonomous mobile robot for intralogistics
  • Global autonomous cars market size to reach $16 billion by 2030
  • Volvo invests in Waabi to strengthen autonomous trucking offering
  • Hacking Robots: The 5 Threats You Need to Know About
  • AMD launches Kria ecosystem program to help developers bring automation solutions to market faster
  • Manufactured in the metaverse: Mercedes-Benz designs virtual factories with Nvidia Omniverse
  • Foxconn plans to build autonomous vehicles on Nvidia computing platform
  • Geek+ provides 82 robots to C-StoreMaster’s new $20 million distribution warehouse in Huntsville, Alabama

Most Read

  • Manufactured in the metaverse: Mercedes-Benz designs virtual factories with Nvidia Omniverse
    Manufactured in the metaverse: Mercedes-Benz designs virtual factories with Nvidia Omniverse
  • Foxconn plans to build autonomous vehicles on Nvidia computing platform
    Foxconn plans to build autonomous vehicles on Nvidia computing platform
  • Why is My Car Key Stuck in the Ignition?
    Why is My Car Key Stuck in the Ignition?
  • Top 20 electric vehicle charging station companies
    Top 20 electric vehicle charging station companies
  • Difference Between Three-Phase and Single-Phase Power
    Difference Between Three-Phase and Single-Phase Power
  • Top 20 programmable logic controller manufacturers
    Top 20 programmable logic controller manufacturers
  • How to Know if Your iPhone is Being Tracked? Check This!
    How to Know if Your iPhone is Being Tracked? Check This!
  • DHL becomes first to install Boston Dynamics’ Stretch robot to unload trucks
    DHL becomes first to install Boston Dynamics’ Stretch robot to unload trucks
  • AMD launches Kria ecosystem program to help developers bring automation solutions to market faster
    AMD launches Kria ecosystem program to help developers bring automation solutions to market faster
  • Scientists have found more water in space than they ever knew possible
    Scientists have found more water in space than they ever knew possible

Overused words

ai applications automated automation automotive autonomous business china companies company control customers data design development digital electric global industrial industry logistics machine manufacturing market mobile operations platform process production robot robotic robotics robots safety software solution solutions system systems technologies technology time vehicle vehicles warehouse

Secondary Sidebar

Latest news

  • Comau builds robotic welding solution for Daimler Trucks China operation
  • Mitsubishi Electric Automation releases new 3D simulator software
  • Kuka unveils new compact autonomous mobile robot for intralogistics
  • Global autonomous cars market size to reach $16 billion by 2030
  • Volvo invests in Waabi to strengthen autonomous trucking offering
  • Hacking Robots: The 5 Threats You Need to Know About
  • AMD launches Kria ecosystem program to help developers bring automation solutions to market faster
  • Manufactured in the metaverse: Mercedes-Benz designs virtual factories with Nvidia Omniverse
  • Foxconn plans to build autonomous vehicles on Nvidia computing platform
  • Geek+ provides 82 robots to C-StoreMaster’s new $20 million distribution warehouse in Huntsville, Alabama

Footer

We are…

Robotics and Automation News was established in May, 2015, and is now one of the most widely-read websites in its category.

Please consider supporting us by becoming a paying subscriber, or through advertising and sponsorships, or by purchasing products and services through our shop – or a combination of all of the above.

Thank you.

Independent

Archivists

January 2019
M T W T F S S
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28293031  
« Dec   Feb »

Complex

Old-skool

This website and its associated magazine, and weekly newsletter, are all produced by a small team of experienced journalists and media professionals.

If you have any suggestions or comments, feel free to contact us at any of the email addresses on our contact page.

We’d be happy to hear from you, and will always reply as soon as possible.

Future-facing

Free, fair and legal

We support the principles of net neutrality and equal opportunities.

Member of The Internet Defense League

Copyright © 2023 · News Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT