Automation Systems

ctrlX AUTOMATION

With the new ctrlX AUTOMATION platform, Bosch Rexroth has eradicated the traditional boundaries between machine control systems, IT and the Internet of Things. Centralized and decentralized automation topologies can now be created flexibly with the scalable platform. Thanks to a Linux real-time operating system, open standards, app programming technology, web-based engineering and a comprehensive IoT connection, ctrlX AUTOMATION reduces the engineering time and effort by 30% to 50%.

Keeping steel wheels spinning

Since 1910, Simmons Machine Tool Corp., Albany, New York, has built machine tools and measuring machines for producing and maintaining railway wheel sets. The company also manufactures automation systems. 

Each wheel traditionally is placed on a machining center using a forklift, a crane or another manual handling method — a slow, inconsistent process in which worker safety is a concern. Simmons Machine Tool sought to boost productivity and improve worker safety when loading and unloading railways for repairs in a vertical CNC lathe.

Hydraulic Press Solutions

Greenerd will present unique hydraulic press application solutions at IMTS this year, including discussing an automated 30-Ton Gantry style hydraulic press which was built for an application requiring precise positioning of pins. A linear transducer mounted in the press cylinder enables a minimum depth to be programmed into the control to ensure proper pin depth has been achieved. The 25' long hydraulic press features automated gantry positioning with optical recognition of the distance between each set of pins to be inserted. The cycle can be initiated in autonomous operation where the gantry moves to each pin location and applies the set of tonnage on the pins. 

HS flex Heavy

The HS flex heavy handling system is designed to be adaptable to five-axis PERFORMANCE-LINE machining centers (C 400 and C 650) as well as the HIGH-PERFORMANCE-LINE models (C 32 and C 42). This also marks the first time that the C 650 is available with automation capabilities.