The increasing challenges of automation cannot be met by coexisting products, but only by complete solutions. With ctrlX AUTOMATION, Bosch Rexroth will be demonstrating how this works at the digital HANNOVER MESSE trade fair from 12 to 16 April 2021. The system – consisting of hardware and software solutions – has a Linux real-time operating system, completely open standards, app technology for programming, web-based engineering and comprehensive IoT connectivity.
“The level of automation is advancing in all industries. Increasing digitalization requires new solutions that enable networking with other systems and offer openness in all necessary directions. Therefore, our customers require individual solutions that are appropriately interlinked, rather than stand-alone products. Isolated solutions typically operate within their own boundaries and cannot interact with related or other systems,” explains Steffen Winkler, Vice President Sales, Business Unit Automation & Electrification Solutions at Bosch Rexroth.
With ctrlX AUTOMATION, Bosch Rexroth creates the necessary interoperability. One of the main unique selling points of the automation platform is the unlimited openness of the system. This applies to the choice of standards and interfaces used as well as to any kind of integration of hardware and software.
Automation components can be combined with each other as required
With us, the customer can use available components – from existing and new Bosch Rexroth solutions to applications from our ctrlX World ecosystem – and combine them as desired. This is how demand-oriented integrated solutions are created. For example, the MS2N motors from ctrlX AUTOMATION can be operated on existing drive controllers and the new ctrlX DRIVE controllers work together with the proven CNC and motion controls MTX and MLC. Conversely, users can use the ctrlX CORE control in combination with the drives and I/Os of previous product lines.
The openness of the platform and the ecosystem around ctrlX AUTOMATION also allow the integration of third-party solutions. Users can use apps from Bosch Rexroth as well as apps from third-party providers and apps they have created themselves in the partner world ctrlX World. The automation platform is also open for the co-creation of solutions and hardware from partners. This is how special solutions are created – for example, for specific industry requirements.
“The compatibility of the individual components makes it possible to solve automation tasks as needed. The migration to new solutions is easy to implement with ctrlX AUTOMATION. In doing so, we ensure spare parts availability from a guaranteed 10 to a possible 25 years. This allows customers to make their architectures stable, state-of-the art and fit for the future,” explains Steffen Winkler.