If you work with Festo air prep products, you've probably spent time in their online configurator. It's a tool I'm on almost every day and for the most part, it's excellent. But every once in a while it throws you a curveball.
Here's one worth knowing about, especially if you're building an MSB6 unit with reverse flow.
The Setup
You're configuring an MSB6 air prep combination unit with the following components:
- A handoff/shutoff valve
- A filter regulator
- A soft-start exhaust valve
- Right-to-left (reverse) flow direction
You get to the end of the configuration and go to add an AD11 or AD12 (M12 or M8 connection module) — and the configurator flags it as a problem.
Here's what I've seen: it's not actually a problem. It's a valid configuration.
Why the Configurator Flags it
Grayed-out or flagged options usually mean something is genuinely incompatible and most of the time, that's correct. The configurator is sophisticated and there's usually a good reason for those restrictions.
But this is a case where the tool just hasn't caught up yet. Festo is actively adding features to the soft-start section of the MSB6 configurator, and the reverse flow + AD11/AD12 combination isn't fully supported yet. That doesn't mean it can't be built.
The Workaround: Use the Spare Parts List
This is how I work through it for customers who need reverse flow:
It takes a few extra steps, but it works and your customer gets the right build.
A Note on Grayed-Out Options
When you see something grayed out, the default assumption should be that it's flagged for a good reason. But if something feels off — if you know from experience that a configuration should be valid, or the spare parts list looks incomplete — it's worth a second look.
That's exactly the kind of thing we're here to help with.
Want to learn more about the MSB6? Check out our video below!
