ctrlX CORE

ctrlX CORE is the industrial control of the future

All-in-one: For the future-proof automation

Nowadays, automation means software development. The high-performance and communication-ready ctrlX CORE control platform provides the basis for this. With the scalable industrial control system, Bosch Rexroth has set new standards in the field of automation technology. With its open and flexible architecture, the Linux-based multicore technology breaks down the boundaries between embedded system platforms and drive-based technology. “One control system for everything” means less engineering, fewer components and higher productivity. The modular software toolkit opens up new degrees of freedom when producing, providing and using functions. The basis is the latest app technology.

ctrlX CORE is the heart of the ctrlX AUTOMATION platform and the nucleus for digital industrial control systems of the future.

The ultra-compact and powerful control platform ctrlX CORE solves approx. 70 % of all general automation tasks. In addition to extended fieldbus interfaces, the modular variant ctrlX COREplus offers the possibility of adding I/O modules. These functional extensions are used for horizontal and vertical machine integration. This opens up new possibilities for users in terms of connectivity and networking. The portfolio is additionally extended by an extremely powerful variant. Thanks to the use of state-of-the-art CPU technology, this offers approximately 7 times the performance of the previous ctrlX CORE. In addition, the industrial control with reduced interfaces and options is available as an entry-level solution. Bosch Rexroth offers the optimum control platform for every application – whether as PLC control, motion control or as control system of any other specification.

ctrlX CORE – order now!

The ctrlX CORE control system is available. To order, please contact the responsible sales team. You can find your contact person via the Contact Locator.

Contact Locator

Highlights of the industrial control system

Industrial automation technology enables dynamic and efficient processes. With the automation toolkit ctrlX AUTOMATION and the modular industrial control ctrlX CORE, Bosch Rexroth meets the growing requirements of various market players: from dedicated PLC controls in the general machine market to motion controls for simple handling tasks. Typical platform applications are also possible. In particular, this concerns companies that have built up their own expertise in specific markets and are now looking for a high-performance, future-ready control platform

Bosch Rexroth offers much more than simply high-performance control hardware: within the sector, ctrlX CORE is the most complete, flexible and open system. It offers numerous features on all levels – from the design and performance to software and connectivity.

Future-proof industrial automation technology

  • Multicore CPU performance
  • Can be expanded in a modular fashion with performance and interface modules

Flexible and open control platform

  • App-based on Linux Ubuntu Core
  • Ready for integration into the EtherCAT ecosystem
  • Multi-Ethernet slave connectivity

Digital industrial control system that always fits

  • Flexible and secure software scalability with apps
  • Can be used in drive-based applications, or as an embedded control system

One consistent control platform

Portrait view of Sophie Vuillemin, Game Changer ctrlX CORE

The smartphone of automation

With ctrlX AUTOMATION we have asked ourselves the question: What would automation look like if it were reinvented by a digital company?

Read the expert article

The architecture of the industrial control system is what counts

With its open and flexible architecture, the industrial control ctrlX CORE meets today’s and tomorrow’s requirements in the Factory of the Future. In addition to EtherCAT, the control hardware supports many other common automation protocols. Peripherals can also be connected easily via EtherCAT Master as an automation bus. The ctrlX Device Portal allows remote access to the control systems and makes it easy to administer and update them. In connected environments, the Ethernet interface controls the data-intensive exchange of information with higher-level IT systems, HMI devices and cloud-based applications. The control system supports more than 30 IT and PLC IoT standards, for example OPC UA as server and client as well as the widely used MQTT protocol.

Control platform for maximum openness on all levels

ctrlX CORE is completely based on Linux. As a result it is highly open, stable and secure. The world’s most popular and stable operating system allows the ongoing further development, optimization and troubleshooting – in terms of a modern industrial control system.

For field communication, ctrlX CORE relies on the EtherCAT ecosystem as standard. This opens up the entire world of EtherCAT peripheral devices, which can easily be integrated into the user’s own control topology. The key benefits include short cycle times thanks to the connection via EtherCAT Master.

Programming, providing and using apps

Nowadays, software development accounts for over half of value creation in mechanical engineering. For machine manufacturers and end customers, efficient engineering and the straightforward programming of applications offer considerable savings potential and degrees of freedom. The ctrlX CORE with its fully web-based engineering saves much of the usual software installation work and general outlay. This is enabled by a clear and intuitive configuration and commissioning of the automation components. With the ctrlX WORKS Toolkit, all engineering tools are available completely free of charge. In addition, the system environment of the industrial control ctrlX CORE is available in an entirely virtual form. This means that programming and tests can be carried out without any hardware. This fulfills a central requirement when it comes to reducing engineering work.

The open software architecture with flexible app technology gives developers complete freedom: they can select the apps that they need or use any open source software. Customers can also operate software that they developed themselves on the open platform. Furthermore they are able to turn their expert knowledge in the form of functions in all popular programming languages into apps. These apps that they developed themselves or the software can be operated on ctrlX CORE. All apps released for the ultra-compact control system ctrlX CORE can easily be purchased via the ctrlX Store. The ctrlX Data Layer which is anchored in the control system as a central architectural element allows the apps to communicate with each other.

ctrlX Device Portal - Simple control and administration

The ctrlX Device Portal offers great potential for savings when it comes to maintenance and updating the device software. Control systems can be managed centrally across plants. All available apps can be assigned to ctrlX CORE and updated. The solution stands out with its secure communication. Only an Internet connection is required. At the same time, the tool offers secure remote access to the user’s own control systems. Security updates and new functions can be installed, backups can be restored and information about available updates and extensions can be retrieved – all regardless of location.

Technical data

ctrlX CORE
Processor ctrlX CORE X2 ctrlX CORE X3 ctrlX COREplus X3 ctrlX COREplus X7
CPU 64 Bit Quad-Core
ARM CPU		 64 Bit Quad-Core
ARM CPU		 64 Bit Quad-Core
ARM CPU		 Intel Core i7
Memory storage ctrlX CORE X2 ctrlX CORE X3 ctrlX COREplus X3 ctrlX COREplus X7
Fixed storage 4 GB eMMC 4 GB eMMC 4 GB eMMC 32 GB eMMC
RAM 2 GB 2 GB 2 GB 16 GB
Remanent memory 1 MBit 1 MBit 1 MBit 2 MBit
Hardware interfaces ctrlX CORE X2 ctrlX CORE X3 ctrlX COREplus X3 ctrlX COREplus X7
Ethernet
(EtherCAT master)		 1 x GBit Ethernet
(RJ45)		 1 x GBit Ethernet
(RJ45)		 1 x GBit Ethernet
(RJ45)		 2 x GBit Ethernet
(RJ45)
Ethernet
(Engineering port)		 1 x GBit Ethernet
(RJ45)		 1 x GBit Ethernet
(RJ45)		 1 x GBit Ethernet
(RJ45)		 1 x GBit Ethernet
(RJ45)
Ethernet
(Engineering port,
TSN endpoint)		 not activated 1 x GBit Ethernet
(RJ45)		 1 x GBit Ethernet
(RJ45)		 2 x GBit Ethernet
(RJ45)
USB not activated 1 x USB-C (2.0) 1 x USB-C (2.0) 3 x USB-C (2.0)
SD card 1 x Micro-SD 1 x Micro-SD 1 x Micro-SD 1 x Micro-SD
IO and functional
onboard extensions		 ctrlX CORE X2 ctrlX CORE X3 ctrlX COREplus X3 ctrlX COREplus X7
IO integration not activated not activated onboard onboard
Multi Ethernet not activated not activated PROFINET device
(2x RJ45)		 optional
Operation ctrlX CORE X2 ctrlX CORE X3 ctrlX COREplus X3 ctrlX COREplus X7
Operating system Linux Ubuntu Core Linux Ubuntu Core Linux Ubuntu Core Linux Ubuntu Core
Communication ctrlX CORE X2 ctrlX CORE X3 ctrlX COREplus X3 ctrlX COREplus X7
Fieldbus
communication		 EtherCAT master
(RJ45)		 EtherCAT master
(RJ45)		 EtherCAT master
(RJ45)
PROFINET device
(2x RJ45)		 EtherCAT master
(RJ45)
Multi-Ethernet
Engineering/HMI via GBit Ethernet
(RJ45)		 via GBit Ethernet
(RJ45)		 via GBit Ethernet
(RJ45)		 via GBit Ethernet
(RJ45)
Engineering,
TSN endpoint		 GBit Ethernet
(RJ45)		 GBit Ethernet
(RJ45)		 GBit Ethernet
(RJ45)		 GBit Ethernet
(RJ45)
Remote access
and diagonstics
(WiFi)		 not activated via USB-C via USB-C via USB-C
Electrical data ctrlX CORE X2 ctrlX CORE X3 ctrlX COREplus X3 ctrlX COREplus X7
Supply voltage 24 VDC
(19.2 - 30.0 VDC)		 24 VDC
(19.2 - 30.0 VDC)		 24 VDC
(19.2 - 30.0 VDC)		 24 VDC
(19.2 - 30.0 VDC)
Norms and Standards ctrlX CORE X2 ctrlX CORE X3 ctrlX COREplus X3 ctrlX COREplus X7
Standards CE, UL, CSA CE, UL, CSA CE, UL, CSA CE, UL, CSA
Certification Industrial area class A Industrial area class A Industrial area class A Industrial area class A
Environmental
conditions		 ctrlX CORE X2 ctrlX CORE X3 ctrlX COREplus X3 ctrlX COREplus X7
Permissible
temperature
(operation)		 -25 °C to +55 °C
(fanless up to 2000 m)		 -25 °C to +55 °C
(fanless up to 2000 m)		 -25 °C to +55 °C
(fanless up to 2000 m)		 -25 °C to +55 °C
(fanless up to 2000 m)
Permissible
temperature
(storage)		 -40 °C to +70 °C -40 °C to +70 °C -40 °C to +70 °C -40 °C to +70 °C
Permissible
humidity
(operation)		 5 % to 85 %
(EN 61131-2)		 5 % to 85 %
(EN 61131-2)		 5 % to 85 %
(EN 61131-2)		 5 % to 85 %
(EN 61131-2)
Degree of
protection		 IP20 IP20 IP20 IP20
Protection category III III III III
Mechanical tests ctrlX CORE X2 ctrlX CORE X3 ctrlX COREplus X3 ctrlX COREplus X7
Vibration resistance 1 g 1 g 1 g 1 g
Shock resistance 15 g 15 g 15 g 15 g
Dimensions ctrlX CORE X2 ctrlX CORE X3 ctrlX COREplus X3 ctrlX COREplus X7
A 45 mm 45 mm 93.3 mm 160.4 mm
B 105 mm 105 mm 105 mm 126 mm
C1 87 mm 87 mm 87 mm 87 mm
C2 10.5 mm 10.5 mm 10.5 mm 10.5 mm
ctrlX CORE X2, ctrlX CORE X3
ctrlX COREplus X3

Technical data ctrlX CORE

Download data sheet

Performance Motion Control

Flexibility, modularity and scalability - these are the advantages of using ctrlX AUTOMATION in performance motion control applications. For complex solutions, such as in the field of packaging machines, these features are indispensable.

Further application examples:

IOT & PLC, General Motion Control, Manufacturing, Smart Energy

Performance Motion Control

Flexibility, modularity and scalability - these are the advantages of using ctrlX AUTOMATION in performance motion control applications. For complex solutions, such as in the field of packaging machines, these features are indispensable.

Further application examples:

IOT & PLC, General Motion Control, Manufacturing, Smart Energy

More information regarding the compact control platform ctrlX CORE

Configurator
Rexroth Store
Quick-Start
Documentation
Community
Aufgeschlagenes Exemplar des ctrlX AUTOMATION Magazin 2022/2023

Now available –
ctrlX AUTOMATION the magazine 2022/2023!

"Feel free to change the game" ­– this is the motto of the ctrlX AUTOMATION magazine 2022/2023. Learn more about the new freedom in industrial automation enabled by the Linux operating system ctrlX OS and the planar system ctrlX FLOW6D. You can also expect exciting customer projects, partner statements and much more.

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