November/December 2020

TECHNOLOGY n BOSCH REXROTH HAS ANNOUNCED a machine safety control technology which, it claims, is the fastest and smallest on the market. The scalable ctrlX Safety system can be used in variety of ways, from drive- integrated SafeMotion in Rexroth’s ctrlX drives, to the complete safety controls. The company predicts that it will “set new standards for safe automation”. The system is based on two components – SafeMotion and SafeLogic – that can be used independently, or together to form a complete system. An intuitive graphical interface allows programs to be created quickly and easily, without extensive training. Engineering is said to be much faster than with conventional systems. For more demanding applications, the hardware can be extended by adding I/O modules via a safe fieldbus. The system supports interfaces such as digital I/O, ctrlX Safetylink and Safety over EtherCat (FSoE). Profisafe support is planned. The exchange of safe I/O signals between the safety controller and SafeMotion on a ctrlX drive is performed via ctrlX Safetylink. SafeMotion is based on Rexroth’s modular ctrlX Drive technology and has scalable software. It is available as an entry- level version, or with extended functions. “SafeMotion brings safety functions exactly where the motion occurs: to the drive. It is therefore unmatched in speed,” explains Steffen Winkler, vice-president of sales in Rexroth’s Automation & Electrification Solutions business. “At the same time, this system allows a purely drive-based safety solution to be implemented completely independently of the higher-level control system. “SafeMotion and SafeLogic communicate via our ctrlX Safetylink,” he adds. “With it, a 5–10 times faster reaction than with safety- oriented protocols via classic fieldbuses is possible. Together with local I/Os, the shortest processing times of 1ms in the FastChannel task contribute to this. These features form the basis for highest protection and the compact design of safety devices.” Rexroth says that the safety system will allow machines to be integrated into restricted installation spaces, while the certified safety technology will improve machine acceptance efficiency. Because ctrlX Safety supports most common safe fieldbus protocols, it can be integrated into almost any automation system. “The user thus receives a solution tailored to his individual safety requirements with maximum flexibility and safety,”Winkler suggests. “The use of open standards and safe connectivity at all levels, and the fast and versatile selection of safety functions complies with the principle of our open, integrated automation platform ctrlX Automation. ctrlX Safety enhances this established platform as a trend-setting safety system.” Bosch Rexroth launched its open ctrlX Automation platform at the end of 2019. The platform, which integrates IoT, security and safety, has since been adopted by more than 200 users around the world. Rexroth has also added various enhancements, such as the ctrlX App Store, the ctrlX Automation Community, a new ctrlX I/O program, as well as ctrlX Safety. It is also working with partners – including Schunk, Wittenstein and Forcam – which are integrating parts of the platform into their own systems, as well as providing software services for users. https://apps.boschrexroth.com/microsites /ctrlx-automation IT INFRASTRUCTURE SOFTWARE & SERVICES www.rittal.co.uk Machine safety system will be ‘the fastest and smallest on the market’ Bosch Rexroth’s ctrlX Safety platform promises high levels of safety thanks to its fast reaction times, and efficient engineering through graphical programming