Bosch Rexroth opens ctrlX AUTOMATION to partners
Third-party providers can now offer their own applications via Bosch’s ctrlX AUTOMATION platform. This move brings a wide selection of third-party applications to the open ecosystem, which can be easily downloaded via the ctrlX App Store.
Bosch Rexroth has created an open ecosystem with applications for any automation tasks. Users can use apps from Bosch Rexroth, applications from third-parties or apps they have produced themselves. More and more providers are joining the ctrlX World. Thanks to the influential platform, they can broaden their business models and increase the range of their solutions. Bosch Rexroth is also expanding its partnerships in hardware and co-creation of new solutions.
“With the ctrlX AUTOMATION platform, we offer complete openness. This means that we provide not only our own apps but also a wide range of existing apps from third-party providers. Customers can download AI apps for production and process improvements or intelligent software expansions for mechanisms such as gearboxes or gripping and tensioning systems. At the same time, solutions for MES connectivity, voice recognition, network IT security, HMI visualisation and much more are available. We have experienced software partners who can quickly implement further functions for ctrlX AUTOMATION,” explained Steffen Winkler, Vice President Sales of the Business Unit Automation & Electrification Solutions, at Bosch Rexroth.
Bosch Rexroth is also working intensively on further partnerships in the field of hardware and is opening its platform for co-creation of new solutions. As a result, users will benefit from the constantly growing ecosystem.
The apps can be downloaded from the ctrlX App Store and assigned to the ctrlX CORE control platform via a licensing system. Apps from third-party providers can be integrated via the Software Development Kit for ctrlX AUTOMATION. Existing code can easily be integrated as an app – both for real-time and non-real-time applications. Numerous programming languages such as C++, Python, Java etc. are supported. Via the ctrlX Data Layer, these apps can contain ctrlX CORE automation data too and share information with Bosch Rexroth apps.
The following third-party providers are partners in the growing ctrlX World:
Schunk GmbH & Co. KG
“The greatest strength of the Rexroth solution is its openness. As a specialist for gripping and clamping systems, we have developed our software over recent years using various programming languages such as C, C++ and Python along with various libraries. In a relatively short time, we have managed to port such a system in prototype form to ctrlX AUTOMATION and to test it there,” explained Martin May, Head of the SCHUNK Innovation Center.
Wittenstein SE
“WITTENSTEIN alpha is the first component manufacturer to offer smart gearboxes as standard – gearboxes with cynapse. They have an integrated sensor module which allows Industry 4.0 connectivity. ctrlX AUTOMATION from Bosch Rexroth supports the openness of cynapse and the easy integration of general applications. Customers are thus given the opportunity to integrate smart services from WITTENSTEIN into an overall system in a user-friendly manner,” said Patrick Hantschel, Director of the Digitalization Center at WITTENSTEIN SE.
FORCAM GmbH
“With ctrlX AUTOMATION, Bosch Rexroth opens up a new world of automation for manufacturing companies. FORCAM is doing just that too. With our turnkey, freely expandable IT platform solution, we are helping customers to significantly increase their efficiency and competitiveness – from the machine connection, the digital twin in production and shop and top floor connectivity to cloud solutions. Thanks to a sales partnership with ctrlX AUTOMATION, we can offer companies a double advantage: firstly, bundled expertise for a comprehensive machine connection, allowing the shop floor transformation to start quickly with immediate increases in efficiency. Secondly, a gateway to a complete solution in order to cope with all subsequent steps,” explained Oliver Hoffmann, Co-CEO at FORCAM.
Rhebo
“We specialise in industrial security and network stability. Industrial Protector monitors and detects anomalies of the automation system and thus ensures not only cybersecurity but also process stability and plant availability. The entire communication is analysed within the automation system in real-time. As a mature, user-friendly and high-performance solution, ctrlX AUTOMATION sets new standards for automation systems. The useful basic functions together with the great expandability allowing connection to other systems make ctrlX AUTOMATION a very good integration platform for a wide range of industrial applications. Exactly this is also an important multiplier in the success of our solutions”, explained Klaus Mochalski, CEO and founder of Rhebo.
XITASO GmbH
“We carried out a detailed analysis of the ctrlX AUTOMATION platform as regards its software architecture and modern software engineering methods and processes. ctrlX CORE is the only platform on the market, which is based entirely on open software technologies. Proven Linux-based software components are complemented by clever Bosch Rexroth components. On the basis of this architecture, it has the potential to integrate the strengths of OT, IT and modern software engineering technologies in an efficient manner. ctrlX AUTOMATION supports our goals as a digitalisation partner and expert for software engineering of making complex systems straightforward and intuitive for users,” said Dr Andreas Angerer, Head of Research and Innovation at XITASO GmbH.
MGA Ingenieurdienstleistungen GmbH
“Voice control which is well known in a private setting is now making its way into industry. MGA’s voice input app for ctrlX AUTOMATION gives machine operators maximum flexibility. Users can move freely around the machine and concentrate on their workpiece rather than the operating panel. The system is coupled to a response system, so the operator receives an answer from the machine too. MGA specialises in process automation and control systems. With the voice input app for ctrlX AUTOMATION, it has created an innovation within the market,” explained Lorenz Arnold, CEO at MGA.
Other partners include Bosch.IO GmbH, conductiv.ai FutureFab, HD Vision Systems GmbH, HUCON AG, Mirasoft GmbH & Co. KG and Perfect Production GmbH.
