Bosch Rexroth Expands ctrlX OS with New Features and Partnerships
2025-01-13
Bosch Rexroth continues to evolve its innovative ctrlX OS platform, expanding its capabilities to meet the growing needs of automation technology users worldwide. Launched in 2020, ctrlX OS integrates various industrial functions, including PLCs, motion control, HMI, and IoT, into one flexible and scalable platform. The latest updates reflect Bosch Rexroth’s commitment to a modular, app-based approach that simplifies the deployment of automation solutions. In its recent meeting, Bosch Rexroth highlighted several new developments that expand the functionality and versatility of the ctrlX OS ecosystem. These include new apps, enhanced features for existing applications, and partnerships with leading technology providers. New Features and Apps for Enhanced Functionality One of the most notable updates to ctrlX OS is the introduction of Model Connect, a game-changing feature that combines model-based software development with ctrlX devices. This update allows users to move beyond traditional PLC programming by integrating Matlab and Simulink for machine and process development. The first version of Model Connect focuses on simplifying software maintenance, improving efficiency, and enhancing software quality for complex systems. Additionally, the ctrlX Motion app now includes a new API that allows users to extend motion control capabilities with custom features. This app supports up to 128 drives, providing greater flexibility for large-scale motion control systems. Enhanced PLCopen functions have also been added to optimize the app’s functionality in automation tasks. Another major update is the integration of LumiScan, an AI-based vision system developed by HD Vision Systems. This suite of tools enables seamless integration of vision systems for applications such as quality inspection and pick-and-place robotics. The LumiScan suite allows users to train models directly on ctrlX IPCs or PCs, simplifying the deployment and commissioning of vision systems in automated production environments. Lastly, ctrlX Works, the engineering tool for ctrlX OS, has been updated to a modular format, allowing users to install only the specific engineering tools they need. Whether it’s ctrlX Drive, ctrlX I/O, or ctrlX PLC Engineering, this modularity ensures a more streamlined engineering process. App Packages and New Partnerships Bosch Rexroth continues to build a thriving ecosystem around ctrlX OS, with app packages tailored to meet various automation needs. The most popular packages include tools for remote access, monitoring, and connectivity. For remote access, Bosch Rexroth offers apps that allow users to monitor, control, and troubleshoot devices and networks, regardless of their physical location. Technology partners such as Ixon and MB Connect Line provide enhanced VPN and security capabilities, which can be integrated seamlessly into ctrlX OS. For monitoring, Node-Red, IoT Dashboards, and InfluxDB enable real-time visibility of device data, helping users opt...
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