| | | | | | |

RS and Festo Are Fueling the Evolution of Process Automation

RS and Festo Are Fueling the Evolution of Process Automation

June 26, 2025

RS offers Festo’s extensive portfolio of process automation products for industrial fluid process control applications, spanning core components, like process and piloting valves, to smart solutions, like remote I/O systems.

Fluid process control is vital to virtually every industrial market segment, including food and beverage, water and wastewater, pharmaceutical, oil and gas, and chemical. Automating the movement of fluids, including liquids, gases, and even granulated solids, eliminates the requirement for manual operation and the associated risk of human error. It also improves process efficiency, safety, productivity, profitability, and product quality. 

Process automation systems have delivered these advantages for decades and, when equipped with Industry 4.0 solutions popularized in factory automation applications, can unlock smart capabilities, like IIoT-enabled remote monitoring and control, that further amplify these core benefits. Smart process automation systems prove especially beneficial in environments with challenges spanning space constraints to hazardous conditions. 

Festo process automation products provide precise performance, rugged reliability, and seamless control at every level of the automation pyramid — from top-level operations down to field-level devices — to provide all of the benefits associated with automated fluid process control. Festo’s comprehensive process automation catalog includes all of the operator-, control-, and field-level solutions and accessories required for industrial fluid process control.

Solutions range from individual components, like solenoid pilot valvesprocess valvessensors, limit switches, positioners, and actuators, to fully assembled and tested automated valves and smart remote I/O systemscontrollers, and displays. Festo also offers three powerful online configurator tools that enable customers to build automated ball valves, actuated butterfly valves, and quarter-turn actuator assemblies.

Popular selections from the RS portfolio of Festo process automation products for industrial fluid process control applications include: 

  • VZBE ball valve assemblies. Like all process valves, these economical, pre-engineered, quarter-turn ball valve assemblies are a huge time saver, simplifying logistics and procurement and ensuring a working solution every time. VZBE ball valve assemblies feature rugged stainless steel valves with Teflon seats and NPT threads, which are widely employed in the automotive, chemical, oil and gas, and semiconductor industries, and are available as both double acting and spring return solutions. They’re automated using a high-quality pneumatic actuator designed and produced by Festo. 
  • VSNC solenoid valves. These standard NAMUR pilot valves are especially engineered for process automation applications and designed to deliver outstanding value. VSNC solenoid valves come with a wide range of valve and coil options and a rotatable seal that enables 3/2-way to 5/2-way conversions with a simple twist. Other features include single or double solenoid coils, spool or poppet designs, and rated voltages ranging from 12VDC up to 230VAC. They are also suitable for use in hazardous areas, including Class 1, Division 1 environments, when used with the appropriate coils and equipped with a rebreather function to ensure that the actuator stays clean and dry.
  • The CPX-AP-I remote I/O system. Whether physically attached on-terminal or connected via cable, this system incorporates all components, such as PLCs, valves, motors, drives, and I/O, within a single smart terminal under a single IP address. This significantly reduces hardware and installation costs while lowering system complexity. And since many PLCs come with a limited number of IP addresses, the CPX-AP-I remote I/O solution means that more capabilities are possible per PLC. 

Festo is a trusted global manufacturer of process control and factory automation solutions dedicated to making tomorrow’s working world simpler, more productive, and more sustainable. The combination of its innovative, high-quality, and cost-effective electric automation and process automation products, its century of R&D accomplishments, and its massive global network enables customers around the world — and in virtually every industry — to build better products, streamline production, improve safety, and cut costs through innovation.

RS offers an extensive selection of Festo products, including the operator-, control-, and field-level solutions and accessories you need to create complete process automation and factory automation systems. RS also offers expert, industry- and application-specific support for Festo products throughout the engineering, installation, and maintenance phases. 

Important_Links_Bar.jpg

https://us.rs-online.com/newsroom/2506-festo-process-automation

More Information

Related Articles

Network Infrastructure Featured Product Spotlight

PBUS 14 Panduit logo 400

This webinar presented by Beth Lessard and Keith Cordero will be highlighting three Panduit solutions that will optimize network equipment and cabling to ensure that your spaces are efficiently and properly managed to support ever-evolving business needs of today and beyond. Products that will be featured include PanZone TrueEdge Wall Mount Enclsoure, Cable Managers, and Adjustable Depth 4-Post Rack.

REGISTER HERE


Editor’s Pick: Featured Product News

Siemens: SIMOVAC Non-Arc-Resistant and SIMOVAC-AR Arc-Resistant Motor Controllers

The Siemens SIMOVAC medium-voltage non-arc-resistant and SIMOVAC-AR arc-resistant controllers have a modular design incorporating up to two 12SVC400 (400 A) controllers, housed in a freestanding sheet steel enclosure. Each controller is UL 347 class E2, equipped with three current-limiting fuses, a non-load-break isolating switch, and a fixed-mounted vacuum contactor (plug-in type optional for 12SVC400). The enclosure is designed for front access, allowing the equipment to be located with the rear of the equipment close to a non-combustible wall.

Read More


Sponsored Content
Electrify Your Enterprise

Power is vital to production, and well-designed control cabinets are key. Allied Electronics & Automation offers a comprehensive collection of control cabinet solutions including PLCs, HMIs, contactors, miniature circuit breakers, terminal block connectors, DIN-rail power supplies, pushbutton switches, motor starters, overloads, power relays, industrial Ethernet switches and AC drives engineered to keep your operations running safely, reliably and efficiently.

Learn more HERE.


Products for Panel Builders