SMC becomes 100th ctrlX World Partner

The automation system ctrlX Automation from Bosch Rexroth provides all the building blocks for complete automation solutions - from controllers and I/Os, IPCs, HMIs, drives and safety solutions to extensive motion, PLC and IoT functionalities. The partner world ctrlX World is continuously expanding the solution space with hardware and apps in particular.

"Whether in the automotive, packaging or process industry: sensors for pneumatics provide input from the store floor. With our sensors and actuators, we ensure quick and easy integration into the ctrlX automation environment via IO-Link or EtherCAT," explains Torsten Wöhler, Senior Vice President of Sales & Product Marketing at SMC Deutschland GmbH. Wöhler explains the partnership in the ctrlX World: "First and foremost, it is important to take the customer perspective. Above all, it is important for the customer to be competitive. We contribute to this by pooling our skills and resources and ensuring that we offer solutions and services for our customers that make them successful."

Connection to the overall digitization of a machine possible

In order to be able to offer joint solutions, the first step was to combine and integrate the two main product lines - electric drives and valve terminals. Connecting the valve terminal with EX260 and the JXC controller from SMC directly to ctrlX OS devices via EtherCAT enables simple control of the air flows in and on the machine.

In addition, electrical drive functions can be mapped and integrated in a compact format. The Linux-based ctrlX OS operating system enables seamless integration into the overall machine concept. By integrating the controller through the EtherCAT, users receive all current information from the drive (LE) and can set up the new positions directly from the PLC. Regardless of the application, each controller can be connected to a linear or rotary drive or gripper with incremental or absolute encoder on stepper motors. The advantages: It is possible to connect to the overall digitization of the machine, requiring only one controller for all drives with absolute end encoders. The extremely compact footprint of the electric drives also saves space.

"The partner world around our modular automation system is growing continuously. 100 partner companies from various sectors have joined. Our common goal is to simplify and improve the various processes of industrial automation," says Steffen Winkler, Sales Director of the Automation & Electrification business unit at Bosch Rexroth.