A modern PLC with REST-API for a standard palletizing system – this is what the robot automation company Robot ART was looking for. And it found it in the form of ctrlX CORE from Bosch Rexroth. The firm was won over by the openness and wide-ranging functions of the control platform – and the common desire to produce more advanced robots.
Robot ART B.V. distributes Hyundai Robotics, Neura Robotics and Wepall smart palletizing software on the Benelux market. The company also develops and produces a range of intelligent and intuitive entry-level solutions focusing on robot automation. Naturally, it also provides service and support for system integrators and end users too.
Walter Nieboer, Application Engineer Robotics at Robot ART, explained: “Robot ART is a relatively new company in the sector. As a result, it doesn’t yet have a closely-knit network of suppliers. We therefore used Google to look for a suitable partner. We’ve developed our own interface for our palletizing system and we’d like to continue using it. We were therefore on the lookout for a control platform with a REST-API. When we heard about the automation toolkit ctrlX AUTOMATION, we were immediately curious.”
Account manager Werner Knapen and engineer Michel van den Elzen from Bosch Rexroth visited the company in Nieuwkoop and demonstrated the control platform ctrlX CORE. Robot ART owner Willem van Dam explained: “The system was the perfect solution. Naturally, we’d found out about the product in advance, but after the presentation we were even more impressed than before. Not only does the solution meet all our requirements – the PLC is also a decision for the future. The platform is characterized by openness and functionality. In the coming years, we’ll put together the perfect system to meet our needs and expand it on a modular basis.”
According to Werner Knapen, software plays an increasingly important role when developing and building machines. He said: “That's why we've developed an automation toolkit with hardware, software and services. It simplifies the world of automation and solves our customers' challenges. ctrlX AUTOMATION removes previous boundaries. Our customers confirm this again and again.”
At Robot ART, it quickly became apparent that the control system was the right choice. Walter Nieboer explained: “We were immediately impressed – first with the virtual version and then with the physical ctrlX CORE. Setting up the EtherCAT was child’s play and we could communicate with our robot straight away. The control platform is extremely accessible and working with it is fun.”
Because Robot ART is a company with many young employees, Willem van Dam believes it is important to work with applications that can easily be used by humans and enhance robots. “Young employees want to work with modern methods and technologies, for example a modern PLC. ctrlX AUTOMATION will help us to meet the ambitions and could even surpass them.”
Apps from the ctrlX Store make it very easy to add new functions for example. Robot ART also intends to use ctrlX SAFETY to ensure the required machine safety – and that is by no means the end of the story. “Given the wide range of possibilities offered by Bosch Rexroth, we’d be negligent if we didn’t look at ways of optimizing our machines on the drive level using the product group ctrlX DRIVE,” added Willem van Dam. “Whatever we want to add in the future, everything is possible. And we can always rely on Bosch Rexroth’s know-how – through the experts and a forum set up specially for this purpose.”
Werner Knapen said: “Of course, I’m pleased that the users are so happy. They recognize the enormous possibilities that ctrlX AUTOMATION offers their company. As an account manager, I’m proud of this collaboration which has come about in a relatively short time. It really enhances our network. After all, robots are the future. I’m sure we can learn a lot from each other and develop together.”
Willem van Dam added: “We were in search of a platform that meets our needs. And we found what we were looking for. Thanks to ctrlX AUTOMATION, we’re ready for the next 25 years. Let the future begin!”
If you have any questions or require further information regarding ctrlX AUTOMATION, please contact us:
Volker Schlotz
Game Changer
Business Development
„Openness is everything“ – this is the motto of the ctrlX AUTOMATION magazine 2023/2024. This year, it´s all about openness and co-creation, which enables a completely new world of automation. Furthermore, there will be innovations of the product portfolio, exciting case studies and expert opinions on digitalization and connectivity.
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