Festo Launches the Motion Control Package (FMCP) for Cartesian Robotics

Festo has introduced the Festo Motion Control Package (FMCP), a comprehensive control system designed for the coordinated movement of up to six axes. This pre-wired, ready-to-install solution is specifically engineered for pick-and-place and other high-precision Cartesian robotic applications, providing built-in kinematics for H-portals, T-portals, and standard 2D or 3D Festo gantry systems.

Streamlined Engineering and Configuration
The FMCP represents a significant evolution of Festo’s digital engineering workflow. In 2016, the company launched the Handling Guide Online, a configuration tool that allows engineers to design Cartesian robots in approximately 20 minutes by inputting basic parameters such as:
Load requirements
Cycle times
Operating voltage
Workspace dimensions

While the Handling Guide Online drastically reduced the time needed to receive CAD drawings and quotes—typically delivered within 48 hours—the FMCP takes this productivity a step further by integrating the physical control hardware into the package.

Plug-and-Play Control Solutions
The FMCP arrives as a fully wired control cabinet, eliminating the need for OEMs to spend time on internal component assembly. The integration process is straightforward:

1. Hardware Connection: OEMs simply add power, Ethernet connectivity, and the necessary cabling for the gantry motors.
2. Configuration: Instead of complex, manufacturer-specific programming, engineers use standardized function blocks to define critical motion parameters.
3. Intuitive Teaching: Basic movements can be “taught” and configured via a web server or dedicated iOS and Android applications, removing the barrier of specialized programming knowledge.

Advanced Connectivity and Tooling
The system is also designed to manage end-of-arm tooling and peripheral devices. By incorporating IO-Link connectivity, the FMCP can control up to eight external digital inputs and eight digital outputs through standard function blocks.

This turnkey approach allows OEMs to focus on their core machine functionality while relying on a pre-validated, high-performance motion control backbone for their robotic handling systems.