At „SPS - Smart Production Solutions“, Bosch Rexroth will be showcasing extensive innovations relating to its automation platform ctrlX Automation, which made the leap from an open platform to an industrial ecosystem in 2021 with ctrlX World.
The solution from Bosch Rexroth has developed from an open automation platform into an industrial ecosystem since the product launch. The Partner network grows continuously and expands the ecosystem around ctrlX Automation hardware and an increasing number of apps that are available to download from the ctrlX Store. In 2021, Bosch Rexroth also significantly expanded the range of services offered by the automation platform. The increasing demand for the products means that the company is investing in the expansion of electronics production as well as warehouse technology and logistics.
„At the SPS trade fair, we will be presenting the full range of our ctrlX Automation automation system. We will be exhibiting various possible combinations of hardware and software components for individual use cases such as PLC and IoT or packaging applications. We will show how the best automation solution can be put together for the respective application.“ Steffen Winkler, Sales Manager Business Unit Automation & Electrification Solutions at Bosch Rexroth
Further development of the control platform and the I/O portfolio
Bosch Rexroth presented the ctrlX CORE control platform in a first expansion stage. This version of the ctrlX CORE control system solves approx. 70 per cent of all general automation tasks. The control platform is now being expanded to include additional members and functions. Initially, these are configurable variants. In addition to extended interfaces, these offer the option of using on-board I/Os.
In addition an extremely powerful variant will be introduced in 2022, which offers around 7 times the performance of the previous ctrlX CORE thanks to the use of state-of-the-art CPU technology. The ctrlX CORE portfolio is rounded off with an entry-level version with reduced interfaces and options.
ctrlX I/O is the functional extension of ctrlX CORE and is used for horizontal and vertical integration, among other things. It offers comprehensive communication and performance enhancements as well as I/O modules with a focus on future technologies such as 5G, TSN and AI. „ctrlX I/O opens up new possibilities for users in terms of connectivity and networking. We are also focussing heavily on the topic of co-creation. The ecosystem therefore enables the integration of partner solutions. The first pilot customers with I/Os have already been validated,“ explains Steffen Winkler.
New functions for engineering
With ctrlX WORKS, Bosch Rexroth enables the simple creation, provision and utilisation of functions. In addition to simplicity, the claim here lies above all in the consistent use of web technology. Engineering with ctrlX WORKS can be carried out directly on the ctrlX CORE via a web browser. A comprehensive portfolio of libraries and modules for typical automation tasks is also available.
„Many new features and improvements are developed in close collaboration with our partners and users. This allows us to develop directly in line with actual needs. What's more, innovations today are created through co-creation. This was also the reason for our ctrlX developR Challenge,“ explains Jasmin Heim, Head of Marketing for the Automation & Electrification Solutions business unit at Bosch Rexroth.
The ctrlX developR Challenge is a for an international ideas and developer competition. The aim is to transfer impulses and requirements from software developers into practice. Jasmin Heim calls for participation: „Ambitious software developers are invited to realise their creative ideas with the ctrlX CORE control platform. The application phase runs until 3 December. We are excited to see what innovations result from this, which may be incorporated into our automation platform in the long term.“
The factory of the future
Bosch Rexroth also presents at the trade fair Wide range of factory automation options. In the factory of the future, everything is networked. Automation solutions only fit into this environment with open standards. This also applies to mechatronics, as the Smart MechatroniX solution platform from Bosch Rexroth proves. Its subsystems can be put into operation quickly and are versatile.
Also fully networked the autonomous transport system ActiveShuttle. It can be easily integrated into the shop floor, operated intuitively and networked. With these and many other solutions, Bosch Rexroth makes it easy to enter the factory of the future.
SourceBosch Rexroth
Bosch Rexroth at the SPS - Smart Production Solutions 2021: Hall 7, Stand 450
