A new open automation platform boasts a 30% to 50% reduction in engineering time and effort, with a resultant reduction in time to market for new machines.

The ctrlX AUTOMATION platform aims to eradicate the traditional boundaries between machine control systems, information technology and the Internet of Things (IoT). Centralised and decentralised automation topologies can now be created flexibly with the scalable platform. Thanks to a Linux real-time operating system, open standards, application (app) programming technology, Web-based engineering and a comprehensive IoT connection, the Bosch Rexroth platform reduces the engineering time and effort by between 30% and 50%.

The company asserts that its platform encompasses the latest engineering software technologies and all programmable logic controller (PLC) and motion tasks. Software functions can be combined in a number of ways with ready-made, customised and customisable apps. These apps can be created in a variety of programming languages including C++, script languages such as Python, or new graphical languages such as Blockly. This is said to give machine manufacturers new-found freedom.

Users are offered a choice of being able to program in IEC 61131, PLCopen or G-Code, or in conventional high-level or Internet languages. This aims to reduce machine manufacturers’ dependence on the availability of PLC specialists and proprietary systems.

Configuration and commissioning of the automation components is Web-based, eliminating the need to install software. A virtual ctrlX AUTOMATION system environment is available, enabling programming without hardware. System functionalities can be extended at any time via the user’s own process functions, apps and open source software.

More than 30 direct connection options and communication standards offer networking flexibility for economical end-to-end connectivity from field level up to the cloud and the platform is also equipped for future communication standards such as Time-Sensitive Networking and 5G.

ctrlX AUTOMATION is based on a new generation of multicore processors which provide sufficient processing power for most automation tasks. These high-performance central processing units can be integrated into embedded personal computers (PCs) and industrial PCs or directly into drives. The hardware and software module aims to cover all automation tasks – from simple control applications and IoT solutions to high-performance motion control.

ctrlX will be available in South Africa through Tectra Automation, a Bosch Rexroth South Africa Group company, towards the end of 2020.