A winning modular compressed air preparation unit
Service unit MS9 from Festo wins German Design Award

Festo has won the Design Award 2010 of the Federal Republic of Germany for the product design of the compressed air preparation unit MS9. The compressed air preparation units of the MS series are modular and systematic in their construction and combination options – and their product design is therefore exemplary. But users of the MS9 should also feel like winners.

The Design Award of the Federal Republic of Germany is the highest official German accolade for design. It is known as the "award of awards", as no other design award imposes such strict requirements on its contenders. For example, a company can only compete for the Design Award if its product has already received another national or international distinction. A further prerequisite for participation is nomination by the Ministries of Economic Affairs and senators of the German states or the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Technology.
 

Powerful addition to the series
The compressed air preparation unit MS9 is an addition to the existing service unit series. Its sturdy construction makes it suitable for a wide range of uses in the automotive and food industries. Individual modules can be combined with each other, or with smaller modules to form customer-specific solutions. Coloured connection components are used in the design to emphasise the modularity of the system.

With the introduction of the MS9 components, Festo has expanded the three existing sizes MS4, MS6 and MS12. The MS9 size has a grid dimension of 90 mm and connection sizes from ½ to 1 ½ inches. Filtration grades from 40 µm to activated carbon filtration are available.

The MS series ensures efficiency through a cost-effective mix of sizes, enabling a 600 % higher flow rate.

The fine and micro filters are long-lasting due to pre-filtration with the new filter MS9-LF. But the MS9 is also impressive from a cost-efficiency perspective: the distributor module FRM can be used to achieve different compressed air qualities – features that will no doubt be very beneficial to users.

Modular and flexible
All modules can be replaced without disassembling the entire system. The same is true for the replacement of filter trays, which are first loosened via the blue interlocking switch and can then be removed individually. During system operation, the fill levels can be read directly from the front through the sight glass. This saves time when installing, maintaining and expanding the system. The MS series service unit has high flow rates and yet its design is space-saving and can be configured to meet customer needs.
 

Safety and remote maintenance
With MS Safety, the MS series also offers maximum safety as standard for man and machine. For example, the new MS9 units can be combined with the soft-start and quick exhaust valve MS6-SV. This reliably ensures rapid venting in the event of an emergency shutdown in safety-critical areas of the system. The product is certified by the German trade association (DGVU) to DIN EN ISO 13849-1, category 4, performance level e.

The product’s design is clear and in keeping with its function. It exudes high quality and reliable operation throughout. It is consistent with the company's corporate image, so that even its high "internal" technological quality is clearly conveyed. Integrated sensors and remote adjustability enable remote monitoring and control as well as preventative maintenance, increasing ease of use, machine availability and process reliability.