7 eMotionButterflies 6 Festo AG & Co. KG eMotionButterflies Highly integrated research platforms 04: Ultimate process stability: collision- free manoeuvring due to permanent com- munication 03: Unique flying behaviour: moving freely like its natural role model 01: Minimum net weight: consistent light- weight construction due to low material use 02: Aerodynamic split wing: biggest possible wingspan with the smallest possible weight The developers channelled their knowledge gained from the projects on the BionicOpter and the eMotionSpheres into the controls of the artificial butterflies. The indoor GPS was already used for the hovering balls and was developed further for the eMotion- Butterflies. The improved frame rate of the cameras gives the system an even higher level of precision, which was a basic requirement for exactly tracking the position of the eMotionButterflies. In comparison to the eMotionSpheres, the artificial butterflies are very agile and always on the move. Not only does that mean their autonomous behaviour is more complex, but also their coordination from outside. Highly complex system with reduced use of materials With the butterflies themselves, Festo is taking another step into the areas of miniaturisation, lightweight construction and functional integration. Attempts are often made to counter complexity with a correspondingly high level of technical equipment. The eMotionButterflies impress, in contrast, with an intelligently employed mechanical system and the smallest possible power units in the tightest space, as well as a highly reduced use of materials. The on-board electronics allow the two pairs of wings to be precisely activated and contain their own inertial sensor system to control the flying behaviour. Using the two servomotors, the beat amplitude, beat speed and the respective turning points can be freely and individually selected. In this way, the eMotionButterflies are fully manoeuvrable, very agile and come extremely close to their biological role model. New approaches for the factory of the future Within the framework of the Bionic Learning Network, however, Festo is not only concerned with the technical implementation of natural principles. The bionic projects also act as research platforms for technologies, applications and solutions in the production of the future. As a result, Festo has been testing the collective behaviour of networked components for several years already. Yet the eMotionButterflies will not fly through the factory of tomorrow. Instead, the integrated technologies and the networked overall system are, in principle, possible solutions for future industrial logistics applications. Smallest possible space in the body The engineering design of the eMotionButterflies is limited to the essential and only depicts the necessary fixing points for the components. Their design not only saves the necessary weight but also enables them to be assembled quickly and easily. The artificial butterflies therefore consist simply of a laser-sintered torso that houses all the necessary units. The electronics, the battery and two servomotors are installed here in the tightest space. A wing root is attached to each motor, on which both front and rear wings are fastened. The rear wing is also fixed on the torso using a hinge and thus essentially acts as a control unit. Consistent lightweight design in the wings In order to fly true to nature, a weight as low as possible and a relatively large wingspan are particularly important. The wings are therefore curved out of wafer-thin carbon rods and covered with an elastic capacitor film. As the wings slightly overlap, an air gap is created between them when they beat, which gives the butterflies their special aerodynamics. Merging of the real and virtual world In thoughts about production of the future, the real and virtual worlds are continuing to grow together. The systems envisaged will consist of closely networked components and subsystems. The constant information exchange here guarantees the operational safety of the individual participants and hence the process stability of the entire system. With the eMotionButterflies, Festo is already showing how several objects can be coordinated without colliding in a three-dimensional space thanks to multifaceted networking. The central computer controls the communication. It gathers all the information together, processes it and forwards it in real time to the individual participants. The camera technology used enables large spatial coverage and impresses by precisely localising the extremely agile objects. The energy-efficient operating method of the markers and the fast start-up complete the indoor GPS, making it a graphic example for a potential guidance and monitoring system in the factory of the future. 04 01 03 02 03
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzczNDE0