Bosch Rexroth ctrlX platform New partners, new version: ctrlX platform expands

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Against the picturesque backdrop of the Bavarian Prealps in Oberallgäu (Germany), Bosch Rexroth presented news about the ctrlX control platform at the Blaichach/Immenstadt plant. In addition to the new version 2.6 LTS, new partners were introduced, including ServiceNow, SMC Deutschland, Pepperl & Fuchs, and Eaton. It was also made clear that Bosch Rexroth is preparing the platform for third-party providers, removing the company name and highlighting the brand instead.

Bosch manufactures high-tech systems for active driving safety, brake boosters predominantly used in electric cars, and camera systems in its plants in Immenstadt (Germany) and nearby Blaichach (Germany). This traditional site boasts more than 60 years of history. Today, it hosts a variety of technical and commercial sectors, manufacturing, training and development, as well as various central and service departments. The site is the lead plant for ABS/ESP manufacturing at eleven locations worldwide.

All assembly cells and the Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) are equipped with ctrlX Core control computers. This allows Bosch Rexroth to gain valuable practical experience with its own software platform on site.

Steffen Winkler, the sales director of the Business Unit Automation & Electrification Solutions at Bosch Rexroth, presented current figures: Over 2,000 customers are using the platform, more than 100 partners collaborate in the "ctrlX World," offering more than 80 apps among other things. By now, more than half of these apps come from suppliers and not solely from Bosch Rexroth itself.

The platform is already being used by partner companies such as Wago, Dell, Nokia, and, most recently, Congatec as the basis for their own solutions. This is expected to increase in the future, leading to a change in ctrlX's presentation: the Bosch Rexroth company name is being phased out in favor of the brand name. This "white-labeling" was evident in the different slide designs during the press conference, but it also emphasizes the open approach the company is taking with its platform. Bosch Rexroth is paving the way for ctrlX to become one of the most important automation platforms.

New version ctrlX OS 2.6 with long-term support

With the new version ctrlX OS 2.6, Bosch Rexroth offers a so-called LTS (Long Time Support) release that is supported with patches for an extended period. Naturally, ctrlX OS 2.6 also includes new features. Winkler presented, among other things, the new Model Connect App, which enables the conversion of models from Matlab Simulink directly into control programs and the bidirectional exchange of data between the real machine and the Simulink model.

The Motion App can now execute synchronized movements and control up to 128 motors. Numerous new PLCopen functions are available, and the app provides an API that allows the addition of custom algorithms. The new AI-based LumiScan Suite from HD Vision Systems ensures effortless integration of vision systems directly on devices based on ctrlX OS like the industrial controller ctrlX Core. It also enables the training of necessary models on ctrlX IPC or PCs. Particularly in quality inspection and robot pick-and-place applications, this represents a user-friendly solution for the commissioning and use of vision systems. It can also be deployed without specialized knowledge, making vision applications accessible to everyone.

ctrlX Works Engineering has been divided into modules and can easily upload required engineering tools on demand, such as during engineering with ctrlX drive, ctrlX I/O, and ctrlX PLC. This allows for optimal adaptation to specific requirements. The next step will include adding more engineering tools from ctrlX OS OEMs like Wago and ctrlX World partners.