by Gary Mintchell | Jul 8, 2026 | Automation
Between an overdose of World Cup soccer and being a bit under the weather, I’m two weeks behind catching up on my two days at Chicago’s McCormick Place with many friends at this year’s Automate Trade Show and Conference.
Festo always surprises with their technology. I remember visiting the company in Germany maybe a couple years ago wondering why travel so far to discuss pneumatics. Isn’t that old school? Well, not.
To the advanced technology for pneumatics applications, the company added advanced training with its Didactics group.
The TL;DR:
- Scalability, multi-protocol platform, valve terminals
- Didactic, custom on site education tech shifts development
- Integrated vacuum, adaptive pressure control, and multi-protocol connectivity improve robotic handling performance.
Let’s check out robot end of arm tooling.
At the robot end of arm tool (EOAT), excess weight slows motion, continuous vacuum wastes compressed air, and undetected grip loss leads to dropped parts and unplanned downtime. Many pneumatic systems at the end of arm still fall short on all three functions.
The Festo VTUX valve terminal addresses these issues. The VTUX is a modular valve terminal that integrates pneumatic control, vacuum generation, and I/O into a single platform mounted at the point of actuation. New eco functions and a multiprotocol interface extend that platform with lower air consumption, improved grip visibility, and simpler integration.
On the vacuum side, VTUX uses threshold-based control to generate vacuum only when needed. Instead of continuous air consumption, the system maintains vacuum within defined limits and only consumes air when levels fall outside those limits. This reduces compressed air use by up to 20-30% while maintaining a stable grip.
On the pressure side, eco functions reduce air consumption to actuators by dynamically adjusting pressure to match the load and motion profile. After a short learning phase, the system determines the minimum pressure required to complete the motion and eliminates excess air use. Eco functionality delivers up to 40 percent reduction in compressed air consumption while maintaining the required actuator performance.
Sensors and processing built into the VTUX provide pressure and vacuum data at the point of use. Functional integration gives OEMs simpler specification and reduced assembly.
The VTUX is designed for decentralized installation and can be mounted directly on moving elements or positioned anywhere on the machine. Its lightweight polymer construction reduces moving mass, while its modular architecture allows systems to be configured and expanded as requirements change.
Locating control closer to actuation reduces tubing length, improves response time, and lowers overall energy consumption. VTUX valve terminals have a resilient supply chain and are assembled and tested prior to shipment at Festo’s Regional Service Center in Mason, Ohio.
Decentralized Intelligence and Networking
As machine architecture becomes more distributed, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) increasingly need cost-effective ways to add valves, diagnostics, and sensor connectivity without redesigning existing control systems or maintaining multiple communication configurations across global platforms.
Addressing these challenges, the new CTED module provides a decentralized, low-cost “third option” for expanding VTUX valve terminal networks, allowing OEMs to add valves without re-engineering the host architecture.
CTED modules are configurable to major fieldbus protocols, including EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, EtherCAT, CC-Link, and Modbus TCP.
The CTED multiprotocol capability eliminates the need to stock various communication modules or valve terminals for different control architectures. It simplifies specification and inventory management across different control architectures and global markets.
CTED utilizes a serial interface rather than a parallel bridge. This shift allows VTUX valve terminals to deliver diagnostic data and sensor feedback directly through the terminal. Because sensor feedback travels directly through the serial link, the system provides expanded diagnostic data for machine operation and maintenance.
by Gary Mintchell | Jul 2, 2026 | Productivity
I have been captured by the drama of the FIFA World Cup. Having the World Cup in my time zone, having been a soccer referee for more than 30 years, and unable to focus on automation, I’ve found myself sucked into Soccer/Football.
The games have been great. The players giving everything they have. The world’s top referees challenged to their limits.
Athletics at its finest.
(I am working on a long list of stories. Will get back to it this morning before today’s dose of dopamine.)
by Gary Mintchell | Jun 30, 2026 | News, Organizations
I received two not wholly unexpected emails today from an organization with whom I’ve been affiliated and one I devoted much work in the past—MESA International Also known as the Manufacturing Execution Systems Association and the Manufacturing Enterprise Resources Association, this organization of developers and users of software comprising the Level 3 of the Purdue Enterprise Reference Model.
I don’t know when I noticed that the last remaining large sponsor—Rockwell Automation—dropped its sponsorship. That was the end of financial stability. This particular market has been difficult. I believe that until this day the largest competitor is Microsoft Excel. I am saddened. But we move on.
Dear MESA Community,
For more than three decades, MESA International has served as a trusted global community advancing the use of manufacturing technology through collaboration, education, and best practices. The relationships built, the knowledge shared, and the progress made through this community represent a legacy we are deeply proud of.
It is with great respect for that legacy that the MESA International Board of Directors has voted to dissolve the organization effective June 30, 2026.
This was not a decision made lightly. After careful review of the organization’s financial position and operational capacity, the board determined that voluntary dissolution is the responsible and appropriate path forward. We want to be transparent with the broader manufacturing community that has followed and engaged with MESA’s work over the years.
What’s Next for MESA’s Resources
We are pleased to share that the International Society of Automation (ISA) has agreed to serve as the new home for MESA’s assets and content. ISA is a global 501c(3) organization whose standards, including ISA-95 and ISA-88, form the technical foundation of much of MESA’s educational work. MESA’s content, resources, and community programs will be accessible through ISA going forward. Please visit here for more information.
Thank you for your engagement with MESA International over the years. This community has made a real difference in manufacturing operations around the world.
With gratitude,
The MESA International Board of Directors
by Gary Mintchell | Jun 30, 2026 | Manufacturing IT, Operations Management, Organizations
Before I could compile all my news from last week, a subsequent news item superseded this one. Long-time partners The Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions Association International (MESA) and Tech-Clarity, Inc. are once again teaming up for an important survey on manufacturing operations. Unfortunately, MESA just sent a release announcing that they are closing as of today, June 30, 2026.
I’m not surprised. I noticed a few months ago that the last of the major sponsors, Rockwell Automation, have pulled out of sponsorship. There were no longer enough sponsors to finance the organization. I devoted many hours to MESA over the years. I also met many great people. I feel an empty space.
I contacted long-time friend Julie Fraser who assured me this research is still on.
TL;DR—Knowledge Sharing Opportunity: Complete a survey to get the results and learn from other manufacturers
[The Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions Association International (MESA) and ]Tech-Clarity, Inc. invite manufacturers to respond to a new survey on managing manufacturing operations. Responses are confidential, and participants will get a copy of the resulting research report.
Research topics include:
- Why are companies investing in MES/MOM manufacturing operations software (MOS) now?
- What is the business value of these level 3 applications? Are implementations delivering the expected benefits? How long does it take to achieve the benefits?
- How is MES/MOM evolving? What functions such as quality, maintenance, scheduling, and analytics are separate, from one solution provider, or share a common data model? Are these systems hosted on-premise, SaaS, or a hybrid?
- What is the impact of AI at the manufacturing operations level? What are companies doing now and planning? What are they expecting? What benefits are they achieving?
- What are the best practices to maximize value from manufacturing operations software investments? What can we learn from each other? Are AI and MOS applications better together?
Most predictions are for double-digit growth in the MES market this year and beyond. Thus, these questions are pressing for both manufacturers and the solution providers who serve them. The program has five sponsors, each a leading player in this software arena: Critical Manufacturing, Infor, ISE, Parsec Automation LLC, and SAS.
Manufacturing Operations Software (MOS): Tech-Clarity defines MOS as commercial plantwide software (as defined in level 3 of the Purdue model) needed to run a manufacturing facility. MOS includes MES, MOM, and industry-specific capabilities such as eBR and eDHR. It may also encompass associated functions in quality, maintenance, scheduling, inventory, environmental, health, safety, and connected worker. MOS also refers to new approaches, such as factory operating systems, composable manufacturing software, industrial data intelligence/AI, and platforms with applications.
Tech-Clarity’s Julie Fraser and Rick Franzosa are leading the research program, supported by MESA’s Knowledge Committee, headed by Chris Monchinski, and the rich community of five sponsors.
“The desire to leverage AI in manufacturing operations is adding to the allure of having trustworthy manufacturing operations data in context. We see growing interest in ensuring that production IT and OT data, as well as quality, scheduling, maintenance, and worker support data, all flow smoothly. We’re looking to understand the details of how companies want to do that,” says Fraser, Vice President of Research for Operations at Tech-Clarity and MESA’s leader of the Smart Manufacturing Community.
MESA’s International Knowledge Committee Chair Chris Monchinski of InflexionPoint states, “Getting MES or MOM systems ready for AI may have many dimensions. While they are the best foundation for this work at level 3 of the Purdue model, many implementations are not quite ready for the rigors of AI’s data needs.”
“MES has been delivering solid benefits for many years. The question is where manufacturers are focusing their investments and projects, and how AI both forces the need and accelerates progress for these systems,” says Tech-Clarity’s Vice President of Research for Manufacturing, Rick Franzosa.
by Gary Mintchell | Jun 27, 2026 | News
I would guess that few readers know Om Malik. I began reading and appreciating his writing about 30 years ago. I didn’t realize then that he was only a kid. He wrote for Red Herring and Business 2.0. An early blogger, he turned his blog, GigaOm, into a business. He eventually sold the business turning to more thoughtful writing.
He influenced me along with probably thousands of others.
One of his last pieces I have queued up to to post was this one from a couple weeks ago, AI models are having their iPhone moment. What’s Next?
I heard a couple of days ago that he passed away. He was a person of intelligence and generosity. Even though we never met, I am saddened at the loss.
Check out some of his writing. You will be richer for it.
