Bosch Rexroth, a global leader in drive and control technologies, is poised to make a significant impact at Automate 2026, North America’s premier automation event, held in Chicago. Exhibiting at Booth #2810, the company will unveil its latest advancements in factory automation solutions, catering to the accelerating adoption of automation technologies across diverse production environments worldwide. This showcase comes at a critical juncture for industries grappling with evolving manufacturing demands, labor dynamics, and the relentless pursuit of operational efficiency and resilience.
The comprehensive portfolio presented by Bosch Rexroth is designed to address the multifaceted needs of modern manufacturing, encompassing a broad spectrum of automation components, sophisticated digital engineering tools, engaging interactive exhibits, and compelling live system demonstrations. The company’s presence underscores its commitment to fostering innovation and providing integrated solutions that empower businesses to navigate the complexities of Industry 4.0 and beyond.
The Evolving Landscape of Industrial Automation and Automate 2026
Automate 2026 serves as a pivotal platform for the industrial automation sector, drawing tens of thousands of attendees from around the globe, including engineers, system integrators, manufacturing executives, and technology enthusiasts. Organized by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), the biennial event is renowned for showcasing cutting-edge robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), vision systems, motion control, and related automation technologies. Its consistent growth reflects the burgeoning demand for automated solutions across virtually every industry, from automotive and aerospace to food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and consumer electronics.
The backdrop for Automate 2026 is one of profound transformation within manufacturing. Global supply chain disruptions, a persistent skilled labor shortage, and increasing pressures for sustainable and customized production have propelled automation from a niche technology to a strategic imperative. Companies are investing heavily in automation not merely for cost reduction but for enhanced quality, speed to market, worker safety, and the flexibility to adapt to rapidly changing market conditions. The exhibition provides an invaluable opportunity for industry leaders like Bosch Rexroth to demonstrate how their innovations are directly addressing these pressing challenges and shaping the future of industrial production.
Pioneering Conveyance Systems for Enhanced Throughput
A cornerstone of Bosch Rexroth’s exhibit will be its advanced TS conveyor systems, critical components for optimizing material flow and logistics within manufacturing and assembly operations. These systems are integral to industries demanding precise, reliable, and efficient transport of goods, from intricate electronic components to heavy automotive parts.
Among the highlighted systems will be the TS 7plus, engineered to handle substantial payloads of up to 3,000 kg. This robust conveyor is ideal for applications requiring the movement of large, heavy workpieces, such as in automotive assembly, heavy machinery manufacturing, and complex electronics production. Its design emphasizes durability and adaptability, ensuring seamless integration into existing production lines or as part of new, high-throughput facilities.
Complementing the TS 7plus, the TS 2plus will also be featured, catering to a broader range of lighter to medium-weight applications. Both the TS 2plus and TS 7plus leverage Bosch Rexroth’s proven aluminum framing system, a testament to the company’s engineering excellence and reliability, which has been a staple in industrial applications for over four decades. This extensive heritage speaks to the system’s modularity, ease of assembly, and enduring performance, offering manufacturers a flexible and future-proof foundation for their conveyance needs. The widespread adoption of these systems underscores their role in streamlining production processes, reducing manual handling, and enhancing overall operational safety and efficiency across diverse industrial sectors. The market for industrial conveyance systems continues to expand, driven by the growth of e-commerce logistics, the increasing complexity of manufacturing processes, and the ongoing need to automate repetitive tasks to free up human workers for higher-value activities.
Revolutionizing Control and Automation with ctrlX AUTOMATION
A central attraction at the Bosch Rexroth booth will be the immersive display of its ctrlX AUTOMATION product suite, representing a paradigm shift in industrial control technology. Visitors will witness a unique "cabinet-free" presentation of ctrlX DRIVE, highlighting its compact design and the potential for significant space savings and simplified installation within manufacturing environments. The shift towards cabinet-free solutions reflects a broader industry trend seeking modularity, reduced footprint, and greater flexibility in machine design.
At the heart of this system lies the ctrlX CORE controller, a powerful and versatile industrial controller designed to manage complex automation tasks with unparalleled precision and speed. Its open architecture and robust processing capabilities make it suitable for a vast array of applications, from single-axis control to entire production line management. The demonstration will also feature the ctrlX FLOW HS smart conveyance system, showcasing how intelligent material flow can be achieved through advanced connectivity and real-time data processing, leading to optimized production sequences and reduced bottlenecks.
Perhaps the most significant innovation to be showcased is ctrlX OS, Bosch Rexroth’s groundbreaking app-based operating system for industrial automation. This platform represents a departure from traditional monolithic control systems, embracing an open, flexible, and scalable approach. Through a live demonstration, Bosch Rexroth will illustrate how ctrlX OS facilitates the seamless integration of advanced technologies using a diverse ecosystem of applications. These apps, developed by Bosch Rexroth itself and a growing network of partner companies, enable manufacturers to customize their automation solutions with unprecedented ease and agility.
The demonstration will particularly highlight the integration of robotics and AI-based vision systems, leveraging edge hardware that supports AI acceleration. This capability is crucial for implementing sophisticated quality control, predictive maintenance, and adaptive manufacturing processes directly on the factory floor, minimizing latency and enhancing decision-making speed. The app-based nature of ctrlX OS fosters an environment of continuous innovation, allowing manufacturers to rapidly deploy new functionalities, adapt to changing production requirements, and future-proof their automation infrastructure against evolving technological landscapes. This open ecosystem approach is a direct response to the industry’s demand for greater flexibility, interoperability, and reduced vendor lock-in, paving the way for more dynamic and intelligent factories.
Precision Engineering in Linear Motion Technology
The linear technology display at Automate 2026 will be a testament to Bosch Rexroth’s expertise in precision motion control, vital for applications requiring high accuracy, repeatability, and dynamic performance. An interactive hologram will offer visitors a captivating visual journey through Bosch Rexroth’s extensive range of linear motion components, including high-precision screws, robust bearings, and versatile linear modules. This innovative display method allows for a detailed exploration of the components’ intricate designs and functionalities, helping engineers and designers understand their critical role in various automation setups.
Beyond the holographic visualization, the booth will feature practical demonstrations, including a Cartesian robot in action. Cartesian robots are renowned for their ability to execute precise movements along three perpendicular axes, making them indispensable in applications such as pick-and-place, assembly, dispensing, and material handling where accuracy and consistent positioning are paramount. The demonstration will highlight the robot’s smooth operation and the underlying precision afforded by Bosch Rexroth’s linear components.
Further illustrating practical applications, a Smart Function Kit for Pressing demonstration will be presented. This kit exemplifies Bosch Rexroth’s philosophy of providing pre-engineered, modular solutions that simplify complex automation tasks. The Smart Function Kit integrates various components – including linear modules, drives, and control software – into a ready-to-use system for pressing applications, such as assembly, joining, and forming. This not only reduces engineering effort and commissioning time but also ensures optimal performance and repeatability, crucial for maintaining product quality and consistency in automated manufacturing. The combination of individual high-quality components with integrated, smart solutions underscores Bosch Rexroth’s commitment to delivering both foundational technology and application-specific tools to its customers.
Interactive Learning and Expert Consultation
To further enrich the visitor experience, a large, interactive touch table will be centrally located within the booth. This digital display will serve as a dynamic factory automation showroom, allowing attendees to delve deeper into Bosch Rexroth’s extensive offerings, explore specific product lines, and visualize integrated solutions in a simulated factory environment. This intuitive interface enables personalized learning, allowing visitors to focus on areas most relevant to their operational challenges and strategic goals.
Beyond the technological showcases, Bosch Rexroth recognizes the importance of direct human interaction and expert guidance. Specialists from the company will be readily available throughout Automate 2026 to engage with visitors, discuss specific factory automation strategies, and offer tailored advice. These discussions will particularly emphasize approaches that enhance operational efficiency – such as optimizing throughput, reducing waste, and minimizing downtime – and bolster safety protocols within automated environments. The opportunity to consult directly with Bosch Rexroth experts provides invaluable insights into implementing cutting-edge solutions effectively and safely.
Adding to the breadth of its presentation, Bosch Rexroth’s subsidiary, Kassow Robots, will also maintain a separate presence at Booth #2036. Kassow Robots specializes in collaborative robots (cobots), which are designed to work safely alongside human operators, offering flexibility and ease of deployment for a variety of tasks. This dual presence highlights Bosch Rexroth’s comprehensive approach to automation, covering both traditional industrial automation and the rapidly growing field of human-robot collaboration.
Broader Implications and Future Outlook
Bosch Rexroth’s showcase at Automate 2026 is more than just a product exhibition; it is a clear demonstration of the ongoing evolution of industrial automation and its profound implications for the global manufacturing sector. The emphasis on open, app-based platforms like ctrlX OS signifies a move towards more agile, adaptable, and future-proof factories. This modularity not only lowers the barrier to entry for automation for small and medium-sized enterprises but also enables large corporations to integrate new technologies more seamlessly and rapidly iterate on their production processes.
The integration of AI acceleration at the edge, as highlighted with ctrlX OS, is particularly significant. It means that advanced analytical capabilities and decision-making intelligence can be deployed directly where the data is generated, reducing reliance on cloud infrastructure for real-time operations, enhancing data security, and ensuring quicker responses to production anomalies. This trend is central to the development of truly "smart factories" where machines can learn, adapt, and optimize processes autonomously.
Furthermore, the focus on integrated solutions, from conveyance to linear motion and control systems, underscores the increasing complexity and interdependence of modern manufacturing operations. Bosch Rexroth’s strategy is to provide holistic solutions that minimize integration challenges, accelerate deployment, and maximize overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). This approach is critical for manufacturers looking to achieve greater operational resilience in the face of unpredictable global events and to meet ever-increasing demands for customization and product variety.
The ongoing skilled labor shortage is another critical driver for automation. By automating repetitive, dangerous, or ergonomically challenging tasks, companies can reallocate their human workforce to higher-value activities that require creativity, problem-solving, and complex decision-making. This not only improves productivity but also enhances job satisfaction and career development opportunities for employees. Bosch Rexroth’s solutions contribute to this paradigm shift by making automation more accessible, flexible, and collaborative.
Automate 2026 is poised to be a landmark event for the automation industry, and Bosch Rexroth’s extensive exhibit is set to be a focal point. By showcasing its comprehensive, innovative, and integrated solutions, Bosch Rexroth reaffirms its position at the forefront of industrial automation, empowering manufacturers worldwide to embrace the challenges and opportunities of the digital age. For those seeking to revolutionize their production processes and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving global market, a visit to Bosch Rexroth’s Booth #2810 promises invaluable insights and a glimpse into the future of manufacturing. Further details and updates regarding their Automate 2026 presence can be found at boschrexroth-us.com/automate.
