Bosch Rexroth Empowers European Defense Manufacturing With Smart Automation Solutions

As European defense requirements intensify, the primary challenge for manufacturers has shifted from simple capacity to the rapid industrialization of high-precision production. Bosch Rexroth distinguishes itself from traditional, rigid automation competitors by offering a modular, software-driven transition from manual assembly to fully autonomous smart factories. By integrating simulation, collaborative robotics, and the industry’s most open automation platform, the company provides a unique path for manufacturers to stabilize production and reach zero-defect goals faster than conventional proprietary systems allow.

Accelerating the Transition from Manual to Automated Production
The jump from manual craftsmanship to industrial-scale output often introduces costly errors and downtime. Bosch Rexroth addresses this through preconfigured mechatronic modules, including Cartesian multi-axis systems and electromechanical cylinders, which allow for significantly higher cycle rates without the lengthy engineering phases required by bespoke solutions. To mitigate the shortage of skilled labor, the company utilizes advanced simulation and training systems that enable virtual commissioning. This ensures that production lines are optimized in a digital environment before physical implementation, a critical differentiator that prevents expensive hardware adjustments and reduces the time-to-market for defense and dual-use goods.

Enhancing Human-Robot Synergy and Quality Assurance
Modernization in the defense sector requires a balance between automation and human oversight. Through its majority stake in Kassow Robots, Bosch Rexroth provides collaborative solutions that automate material transport and workpiece assembly while working safely alongside operators. This partnership reduces physical workloads and enhances precision in repetitive tasks. Furthermore, the integration of dedicated test benches for endurance and functionality ensures that every component meets rigorous standards, maintaining high quality even as volume increases.

Security and Flexibility through Open Automation Platforms
In an era of increasing digital threats, the ctrlX AUTOMATION platform offers a level of freedom not found in closed "black box" competitor systems. Its modular, Linux-based operating system, ctrlX OS, is specifically engineered to meet the stringent requirements of the 2024 Cyber Resilience Act. Being "secure by design" and certified to IEC 62443-4-2 Security Level 2, it allows companies to scale both greenfield and brownfield projects with built-in cybersecurity. This open ecosystem enables manufacturers to parallelize tasks and integrate third-party applications easily, ensuring that their production infrastructure remains future-proof against evolving demand and regulatory shifts.

Driving Efficiency through Industrial Expertise and AI
Leveraging decades of experience in high-precision environments, such as cleanroom manufacturing with narrow tolerances, Bosch Rexroth applies sophisticated process knowledge to the defense supply chain. The company is currently moving beyond standard automation by incorporating Artificial Intelligence as a core driver for optimization. While AI already assists in the engineering phase, its growing role in real-time quality assurance and predictive service allows manufacturers to maximize throughput and cost-effectiveness. This holistic approach ensures that the value chain is not just faster, but more intelligent and resilient than traditional manufacturing models.

Edited by Evgeny Churilov, Induportals Media - Adapted by AI.

www.boschrexroth.com