Factory Automation: Propelling Fully Connected, Powerful and Safe Transport Systems

A demo of Bosch Rexroth’s customized factory automation technologies and solutions at ATX West 2024.

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March 7, 2024

2 min read

If the goal was to demonstrate how Bosch Rexroth harmonizes advanced manufacturing hardware, software and engineering, the drive and control technologies specialist met their mark at ATX West 2024 (Feb. 6-8, 2024) in Anaheim, Calif.

The company showcased the various ways its signature line of products, ctrlX AUTOMATION, are used in automation, processing and handling applications. Kiosks were set up to present next-generation handling systems and an assortment of advanced manufacturing products.

In the accompanying video, demonstrator Dan Barrera shows the flexibility of a linear motion system, ctrlX FLOWHS. The system is integrated into the IoT provider’s automation toolkit ctrlX AUTOMATION.

Released at ATX, ctrlX FLOWHS is essentially a transfer or track system, which grabs and moves products at a high speed.

“This is our answer to help speed up the manufacturing process,” Barrera said. “We all realize that we need to be able to improve operator manufacturing processes, to produce more parts per minute…With ctrlX FLOWHS we’re able to provide a solution to the OEMs and system integrators, to introduce this track and our machines to speed up the process.

The high-speed system track system is suitable for transport and positioning, offering impressive acceleration of up to 10G and achieves speeds of up to 5 m/s. It can be mounted horizontally, vertically, on an angle or upside down.

“On top of that, it’s modular, so it doesn’t have to be built as you can see here on a racetrack,” Barrera pointed out. “It is meant to help OEMs simplify a lot of the engineering that they have in their machines. It is meant for industries like packaging, pharma, battery (EV), electronics assembly, and then from there, the sky is the limit.”

About the Author

Rehana Begg

Editor-in-Chief, Machine Design

Rehana Begg is the head of content at Machine Design, where she translates complex engineering and manufacturing innovations into practical insights for design and multidisciplinary engineers. With more than 25 years of editorial experience and over a decade working across industrial manufacturing, Begg has covered automation, IIoT, robotics, mechanical design, additive manufacturing, plant operations, reliability and continuous improvement. Her reporting has taken her from corporate boardrooms to plant floors and underground mining stopes, giving her a frontline perspective on engineering challenges. She holds an MBA, a Master of Journalism, and a BA (Hons.) in Political Science. She is committed to lifelong learning and stays connected to the engineering community through ongoing technical engagement.