At a time when automation and robotics are becoming essential skills, the challenge for educational institutions is to provide practical, modern, and accessible learning environments.
The need for employees who can understand interconnected systems, program controllers, integrate sensors, communicate with industrial networks, and develop intelligent data-driven solutions is an increasing demand for a lot of modern industries. However, many educational institutions face the same obstacle: the access to modern, affordable platforms for hands-on experimentation, testing, and learning without the high costs associated with industrial hardware.
It is precisely in this scenario that the ctrlX AUTOMATION platform, developed by Bosch Rexroth, emerges as an innovative and transformative solution for institutions. By offering an open and modular ecosystem ctrlX AUTOMATION provides students and teachers with a complete set of tools that allow anyone, even without access to physical hardware, to understand and simulate complex industrial processes.
Based on a Linux operating system and backed by a philosophy of flexibility, connectivity, and scalability, this platform covers all stages of automation. Throughout this article, we will explore the main free components that complete the ctrlX AUTOMATION ecosystem:
- ctrlX WORKS, the starting point and free development environment where automation applications are created and tested;
- ctrlX OS, the open operating system that allows any computer to be transformed into an industrial controller;
- ctrlX PLC, the solution for programming controllers with standard languages and modern interfaces;
- ctrlX IOT, which opens the door to integration with the digital world and IIoT applications;
Learning through the ctrlX AUTOMATION platform is an asset for any student, trainer, or professional who wants to enter the world of modern automation, as it provides solid, up-to-date knowledge, giving a competitive advantage to any company seeking to innovate and evolve.
ctrlX WORKS: The starting point
The starting point is ctrlX WORKS, the free development environment that allows you to create automation projects, program PLCs, configure modules, and simulate applications without the need for physical hardware. Students can develop code in languages such as IEC 61131-3, Python and Node-RED, integrating IoT, motion and logic modules into a unified interface.
The main advantage of ctrlX WORKS lies in its modular structure, which allows components to be added or removed according to each user’s needs. This flexibility makes it particularly suitable for progressive, project-oriented learning, enabling students to start with fundamental tools and, as they progress, expand their work to include IoT integrations, motion control, or distributed systems.
Its integration with the ctrlX OS Store and the ctrlX World community is another key feature: developed applications can be easily published and shared, promoting a collaborative learning ecosystem.
ctrlX OS: The open operating system
CtrlX OS is a Linux based operating system that broadens the ctrlX AUTOMATION ecosystem to any compatible hardware, allowing even a standard computer to become a true automation platform. In practical terms, ctrlX OS enables software-based industrial functions to be installed, configured, and executed on PCs, servers, or edge devices, making it ideal for testing, labs, and hands-on learning.
It allows you to run ctrlX WORKS and apps from ctrlX Store directly on a standard computer, turning it into a it into a virtual industrial controller. ctrlX OS also supports virtualization and industrial DevOps practices, bringing software development closer to the reality of automation. This makes it possible to create “mini industrial controllers” that communicate via MQTT, OPC UA or Node-RED, ideal for teaching and testing. In practice, this means setting up a virtual machine (simulated environment) on the computer, where the ctrlX OS operating system is installed just like on a physical controller. This virtual environment faithfully reproduces the behavior of a real controller, allowing you to develop, install apps, test industrial communications, and integrate systems, all without the need for dedicated hardware.
ctrlX PLC: Advanced Learning and Programming with CODESYS and PLCopen Standard
The ctrlX AUTOMATION ecosystem is an ideal platform for programming according to the PLCopen standard and learning how to work with the CODESYS environment, being fully compatible with various CODESYS applications. The system allows you to develop, simulate, and implement real and scalable projects, making it an essential tool for both technical training and industry.
The primary applications compatible with the ctrlX AUTOMATION system are outlined below:
- CODESYS Fieldbus Communication, integrate industrial protocols such as EtherNet/IP, PROFINET e Modbus, ensuring interoperability with existing devices and systems;
- CODESYS WebVisu, create HMI interfaces for controlling and monitoring machines and processes accessible via a web browser;
- CODESYS SoftMotion, transforms the controller into an advanced motion system capable of managing axes, positioning, and synchronization in real time.
At the heart of this ecosystem is the ctrlX PLC, which combines the reliability of classic controllers with the flexibility of modern software. It is a scalable control solution. Compatible with Structured Text (ST), Function Block Diagram (FBD) and Ladder Diagram (LD), the ctrlX PLC offers full compatibility with the most widely used industry standards. IO-Link support and EtherCAT integration enable you to collect data from smart sensors and manage devices with precision and efficiency.
Thanks to these features, ctrlX PLC is a comprehensive and ideal tool for Industrial Automation, Electronics, and Robotics courses, preparing students and trainees through realistic and immersive simulations that reproduce modern industrial environments and processes. It modernizes internal logistics and responds to the challenges of industry: greater productivity, adaptability, security, and interoperability, with reduced costs and complexity.
ctrlX IOT: Integration with the digital world
The ctrlX IOT platform, a central component of the ctrlX AUTOMATION allows students and professionals to explore IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) and Industry 4.0 concepts in a secure, flexible, and integrated manner. According to Bosch Rexroth, tit is a progressive “IoT Toolbox” with built-in security.
At the core of its functionality is the ability to send and receive data in real time, with local storage and secure connectivity between devices. Through established industrial protocols, data collection features are facilitated by pre-configured connectors, enabling integration with existing sensors, actuators, and IoT devices. In addition, ctrlX IOT provides a central layer called ctrlX Data Layer, which offers uniform access to real-time and non-real-time data, promoting interoperability between applications.
In terms of visualization and analysis, the platform supports dashboards built with Grafana, InfluxDB and Node-RED, which are very common elements in the world of IoT and automation. Through apps available in the ctrlX OS Store, users can install modules for monitoring, processing, visualization, and communication with other layers of the architecture. The web configuration interface enables guided creation of data connections, without the need to program from scratch, greatly simplifying engineering work.
O ctrlX IOT stands out for its ability to communicate directly with external APIs and cloud platforms, allowing control system to be integrated with digital services and external environments in a simple and secure manner. This functionality paves the way for advanced scenarios of remote maintenance, cloud data analysis, and hybrid applications that interconnect the OT e IT. Thus, ctrlX IOT consolidates itself as a bridge between traditional controllers and the digital ecosystem, offering a robust, modular, and scalable environment that enables the teaching and application of IIoT solutions aligned with Industry 4.0 requirements.
Conclusion
In conclusion, ctrlX AUTOMATION stands out as one of the most comprehensive and innovative platforms for teaching and applying modern automation. By bringing together components such as ctrlX WORKS, ctrlX OS, ctrlX PLC and ctrlX IOT, in a single ecosystem, Bosch Rexroth offers an open, modular, and scalable solution that allows you to program, simulate, and integrate real systems with full compatibility with international industrial standards.
The integration of ctrlX AUTOMATION into the PLCopen standard ensures a universal and structured programming language, while compatibility with the CODESYS environment provides a practical and intuitive experience, allowing real projects to be developed using the same tools used by industry. This combination makes ctrlX AUTOMATION an ideal platform for technical learning, offering students and trainers the opportunity to acquire solid skills in automation, industrial communication, and process control.
Automation and Robotics Department
Equinotec – Soluções de Engenharia, Unipessoal, Lda.
Rua D. Marcos da Cruz 1677, 4455-482 Matosinhos
