Bosch Rexroth: from a water-driven forge to a digital leader in industrial automation
The history of Bosch Rexroth begins in 1795, when Georg Ludwig Rexroth established a water-driven forge for iron production in the Spessart mountains of Germany. Since then, the company has evolved from a small smithy into one of the world's leading suppliers of electric drive technology, hydraulics, and industrial automation. Today, Bosch Rexroth employs over 31,000 people across more than 80 countries, consistently embedding Industry 4.0 principles into every product.
In 2001, Bosch acquired Mannesmann Rexroth AG, uniting decades of expertise in hydraulics, linear motion technology, and electric drive systems under a single brand. This merger became a catalyst for creating comprehensive solutions where mechanics, electronics, and software operate as a unified system. For industrial enterprises in Ukraine, this means access to technologies that are shaping the future of manufacturing worldwide.
The ctrlX AUTOMATION platform: the heart of digital transformation
The revolutionary ctrlX AUTOMATION platform from Bosch Rexroth eliminates the boundaries between traditional machine control, IT infrastructure, and the Internet of Things. Built on the Linux Ubuntu Core real-time operating system, this platform reduces component and engineering costs by 30 to 50 percent compared to conventional automation systems.
At the core of ctrlX AUTOMATION lies the principle of openness: programming standards, web-based engineering, and app technology allow engineers to customize the system for specific tasks without being locked into proprietary solutions. The ctrlX CORE processor can be installed as an embedded controller in production equipment, directly in servo drives (ctrlX DRIVE), or as an industrial PC component (ctrlX IPC).
The platform is certified according to IEC 62443, guaranteeing cybersecurity at an industrial level. All applications are isolated in sandboxes, ensuring maximum protection even in networked environments. This is particularly important for industrial controllers operating in critical infrastructures.
EFC frequency converter series: reliable speed control
Bosch Rexroth offers two main series of frequency converters for industrial applications: the EFC 3610 and EFC 5610. Both series provide precise motor speed regulation and energy-efficient operation across a wide power range.
EFC 3610: universal and cost-effective
The EFC 3610 series is designed as a universal frequency converter with an optimal price-to-performance ratio. It delivers reliable speed control and demand-driven energy supply. Typical applications for frequency converters in this series include pumps and compressors, fans, woodworking machines, food industry equipment, pulp and paper production, and textile machines.
EFC 5610: power for demanding tasks
The EFC 5610 series covers a power range from 0.4 to 90 kW and provides efficient sensorless vector control for optimal torque characteristics. High starting torque capability makes this series an ideal solution for logistics and material handling, conveyor systems, mixers and centrifuges, construction industry equipment, plastics manufacturing, and machine tools.
Comparison of EFC 3610 and EFC 5610 series
| Feature | EFC 3610 | EFC 5610 |
|---|---|---|
| Power range | 0.4 — 22 kW | 0.4 — 90 kW |
| Control method | Scalar (V/f) | Vector (SVC) |
| Starting torque | Up to 150% | Up to 200% |
| Communications | Modbus RTU (built-in) | Modbus RTU + optional boards |
| Optional protocols | PROFIBUS, CANopen | PROFIBUS, CANopen, PROFINET, EtherCAT, sercos |
| Built-in PLC | No | Yes |
| Typical application | Pumps, fans, conveyors | Complex production processes, logistics |
Both series support expansion boards for adding industrial communication protocols, enabling integration into any existing enterprise automation system.
IndraDrive: modular servo drive platform
The IndraDrive range from Bosch Rexroth spans power levels from 50 W to 4 MW, offering solutions for any scale of production tasks. Thanks to its modular architecture, the same hardware can function as a simple frequency converter or as a high-precision servo drive.
IndraDrive family: from compact to high-power solutions
- IndraDrive Cs — compact servo drive from 50 W to 14 kW with integrated safety technology and multi-Ethernet support (Sercos III, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT)
- IndraDrive C — servo drive system with continuous power from 1.5 to 75 kW, maximum current from 12 to 210 A, and direct mains connection at 200-500 V
- IndraDrive ML — universal power module for capacities up to 4 MW, used as a power supply unit, single-axis inverter, and DC/DC converter for battery systems
- IndraDrive Mi — an innovative solution where all electric drive components are integrated directly into the machine, eliminating the need for drive cabinets and significantly reducing cable routing
Built-in functional safety
All IndraDrive units support safety functions ranging from basic Safe Torque Off (STO) to advanced Safe Motion, meeting safety standard requirements for industrial equipment. The IP65 protection rating on the IndraDrive Mi series enables reliable operation in dusty or humid environments without additional enclosures.
ctrlX DRIVE: the most compact drive system in the world
Bosch Rexroth positions ctrlX DRIVE as the most compact modular drive system in the world. Through innovative design, this system reduces the required control cabinet space by 50 percent compared to previous drive generations.
The ctrlX DRIVE series delivers peak currents from 6 to 375 A and is available in two variants: an entry-level solution for standard tasks and a high-performance version for complex applications. The cabinet-free ctrlX DRIVE with IP65 protection reduces space and cabling requirements by 90 percent, opening up new possibilities for compact production lines.
Comparison of ctrlX DRIVE and IndraDrive
| Feature | ctrlX DRIVE | IndraDrive C/Cs | IndraDrive ML |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power | Up to 45 kW | 50 W — 75 kW | Up to 4 MW |
| Platform | ctrlX AUTOMATION | IndraWorks | IndraWorks |
| Operating system | ctrlX OS (Linux) | Firmware | Firmware |
| App ecosystem | Yes | No | No |
| Cabinet-free option | Yes (IP65) | Yes (IndraDrive Mi) | No |
| IoT connectivity | Built-in | Via gateway | Via gateway |
| Cybersecurity | IEC 62443 | Basic | Basic |
Internet of Things in Bosch Rexroth drive systems
Bosch Rexroth is not just an equipment manufacturer but one of the pioneers in bringing Internet of Things (IoT) technology to industrial production. The ctrlX IoT module, integrated into the ctrlX AUTOMATION platform, enables real-time data collection, transmission, and analysis from every node of a production line.
What does this mean in practice? A drive connected to an IoT network independently reports bearing wear, deviations from set parameters, or approaching critical temperatures. This enables the transition from scheduled maintenance to predictive maintenance, significantly reducing equipment downtime and repair costs.
Key advantages of IoT integration in drive systems
- Equipment condition monitoring — continuous tracking of vibration, temperature, current, and torque of the drive
- Predictive maintenance — machine learning algorithms forecast failures weeks before they occur
- Energy efficiency — power consumption analytics help optimize motor operating modes
- Remote diagnostics — engineers can analyze drive parameters from anywhere in the world via a secure connection
- Digital twin — a virtual drive model allows testing of setting changes without stopping production
Industries served by Bosch Rexroth products
Bosch Rexroth products are used in virtually every branch of industry. With a broad range of solutions — from cost-effective EFC frequency converters to high-precision IndraDrive servo systems and the ctrlX digital platform — the company meets the needs of enterprises of all sizes.
- Automotive industry — welding operations, conveyor systems, press equipment, electric vehicle motor testing
- Food and beverage — dosing equipment, packaging lines, mixers, hygienic pump systems
- Woodworking — CNC machines, sawmills, edge banding equipment
- Logistics — warehouse systems, sorting equipment, automated guided vehicles (AGV)
- Construction and building materials — concrete mixers, crushers, conveyor belts
- Metalworking — lathes and milling machines, hydraulic presses, positioning systems
- Plastics manufacturing — extruders, injection molding machines, winding equipment
- Energy sector — wind turbines, energy storage systems, battery technologies
Why Ukrainian enterprises choose Bosch Rexroth
For industrial enterprises in Ukraine, Bosch Rexroth products represent a strategic choice for several reasons. First, a global service network and spare parts availability. Second, the extensive product range allows selection of a solution precisely matched to the specific task — from a simple frequency converter for a fan to a complex multi-axis servo system for a robotic cell.
Furthermore, compatibility with all major industrial automation protocols (PROFINET, EtherCAT, PROFIBUS, Modbus, sercos) ensures seamless integration of Bosch Rexroth equipment into existing control systems. The transition to the ctrlX AUTOMATION platform guarantees that equipment investments remain relevant for years to come, thanks to the ability to update functionality through software applications.
Bosch Rexroth has demonstrated that true innovation is not simply about creating powerful equipment, but about building a cohesive ecosystem where drive, controller, software, and cloud services operate as a single organism. This approach will define the development of industrial automation for decades to come.
