Bosch Rexroth Redesigns Hydraulic Linear Drives with the CytroForce

Germany-based engineering company, Bosch Rexroth AG, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Robert Bosch GmbH that provides solutions for machinery applications, mobile applications, machinery applications, factory automation, and engineering. 

 

The CytroForce self-contained servo-hydraulic axis. Image courtesy of Rexroth Bosch 

 

Recently, the company developed a solution for making hydraulic linear drives more efficient and easy to use. 

 

What is CytroForce?

CytroForce is a new self-contained hydraulic axis from Rexroth that aims to minimize previously bulky structures into a reduced linear drive system that is compact. 

The CytroForce solution consists of flow-optimized standard modules designed to improve power density, energy efficiency and support more quiet operations. The flow-optimized, IP65-protected, modular CytroForce was based on the variable-speed, frequency-controlled, energy-on-demand drive Sytronix. 

 

Sytronix variable speed pump drives. Image courtesy of Rexroth Bosch

 

The manifold and a differential or tandem cylinder of the CryptoForce connects to this energy-efficient unit. It consists of a servo drive and hydraulic fixed or variable displacement pump.

 

Usability, Cost, and Design

The solution is available to machine manufacturers to plug in and produce without them having to have extensive hydraulics experience. With support from Rexroth professionals, customers go through configuration and installation via a virtual face-to-face meeting.

Once users configure the device, customers receive an offer, technical documentation, and the computer-aided design (CAD) model. 

The CytroForce axis comes to customers with the delivery of 12 weeks. It is pre-configured at the factory, with manufacturers only needing to connect it to electrics and a higher-level control system. The CytroForce comes with a plug-and-produce system with standardized interfaces to simplify and speed up the commissioning process. 

The CytroForce self-contained servo-hydraulic axis. Image courtesy of Rexroth Bosch.

 

With regard to cost, the CytroForce may help provide more economic gains. The solution provides 80% lower energy consumption from the variable speed drive, only needs half of the installation space typically required for non-integrated linear axes, and requires 97% lower oil volume than open systems.

In a recent press release, Stefan Thienen, Product Manager CytroForce at Bosch Rexroth, said, “Our evolutionary solution, available from a single source, is pushing the boundaries in terms of potential applications for hydraulic linear axes.” 

Thienen also added that “the cross-industry advantages provide machine and system manufacturers from practically all sectors with new and exciting prospects and the potential to implement improvements with regard to presses, machine tools and many other applications.”

 

CryptoForce Maintenance and Monitoring

The CryptoForce solution comes with an IoT service that operators can use to monitor operating statuses and manage any required maintenance. Rexroth’s ODiN service, combined with the solution further enhances machine availability and maintenance through condition monitoring and harnessing predictive analytics. 

CryptoForce can open up a variety of applications, including safety functions with trade association certification. This is possible through its modular design, using standardized physical and logical interfaces with a higher-level standardized software ecosystem.