Bosch Rexroth Presents I/O Portfolio for the First Time

Published: November 02, 2020

Bosch Rexroth announced the next level of its open industrial automation platform ctrlX AUTOMATION. The launch of ctrlX I/O adds other interfaces on the field and control levels to the platform, a system shaped by app technology.

ctrlX AUTOMATION surmounts the classic boundaries between machine controls, the IT world and the Internet of Things. ctrlX AUTOMATION reportedly reduces component and engineering effort by up to 50 percent with the help of the real-time operating system Linux, fully open standards, app programming technologies, web-based engineering and a comprehensive IoT connection.

On the field level, ctrlX I/O smoothly facilitates flexible machine topologies and the seamless integration on the sensor/actor level. As a result, higher-level control systems as well as MES and cloud solutions could be easily connected on the control level.

ctrlX I/O also represents a functional expansion of the control system ctrlX CORE, reportedly providing it with such technology and hardware options as additional memory, and USB and ethernet interfaces.

These features could provide users with a nearly unlimited range of high-performance and freely combinable interfaces. More than 30 communication standards such as OPC UA and MQTT facilitate the seamless connection to IT and IoT systems.

Analog and digital inputs/outputs allow standard sensors and actuators to be connected. By the use of encoder interfaces and drive modules, small and stepping motors can be controlled directly from the I/O level.

Machine manufacturers could combine modules and extensions freely. Apps tailored to ctrlX I/O from the ctrlX WORKS software and engineering toolbox cover numerous technological functions.

With the same compact form factor as ctrlX CORE, ctrlX I/O reportedly saves space in the control cabinet and offers up to 16 I/O points over a width of just 12 millimeters. The ergonomic mechanical design and push-in technology allow easy installation without the use of tools and the quick exchange of modules thanks to removable peripheral plugs.

For more information, visit https://www.boschrexroth.com.