Bosch Rexroth yesterday said it has opened a new Customer Innovation Center near Austin, Texas. The company said the facility will show its automation developments to customers in multiple industries, including electric vehicle manufacturing, battery production, consumer packaged goods, and semiconductor manufacturing.
“The new Customer Innovation Center gives our factory automation customers an opportunity for a unique, customer-focused experience, providing a space where they can interact with and learn about our current and future innovations to move their manufacturing operations forward,” stated Greg Gumbs, president and CEO of Bosch Rexroth North America.
“It will serve as a central point of contact for customers, users, partners, and our own engineering and applications development teams, where we can explore ideas and develop solutions that focus on improving productivity, manufacturing flexibility, and efficiency,” he added.
Bosch Rexroth said the new innovation center is the latest in a series of expansions and investments in North America, including a new plant in Queretaro, Mexico, and an expansion of its operations in Charlotte, N.C.
Rexroth CIC displays multiple technologies
Located in Round Rock outside of Austin, the Rexroth Customer Innovation Center (CIC) is housed in a custom-outfitted, approximately 9,200-sq.-ft. building with multiple exhibits and presentation areas. Visitors can learn about Bosch Rexroth factory automation and industrial hydraulics products and technology.
The CIC features interactive demonstrations that integrate multiple systems, including the company’s ctrlX AUTOMATION platform, Smart MechatroniX systems, TS assembly conveyors, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), linear motor-based Flexible Transport System (FTS), smart hydraulics, and other technologies.
They allow visitors to see a scaled version of a complete production line with automation, said Bosch Rexroth. It claimed that it is “the only company that can provide this level of manufacturing technology all from one supplier.”
Bosch building global network for customer support
Through the CIC, visitors will also have the opportunity to connect with other Rexroth innovation centers, including the company’s flagship CU.BE center in Germany. Bosch Rexroth said it is establishing a growing network of similar facilities throughout the U.S. and globally.
This network allows for more immersive digital experiences through virtual connections and digital twin capabilities, it said. With this connection, customers and Rexroth partners can access other experts and an expanded range of factory automation around the world.
Bosch Rexroth is a unit of the Bosch Group and a leading supplier of drive and control technologies. The Lohr am Main, Germany-based company focuses on mobile applications, machinery applications and engineering, and factory automation.
It offers hydraulics, electric drive and control technology, gear technology, and linear motion and assembly technology, including software and interfaces to the Internet of Things (IoT). Bosch Rexroth has locations in more than 80 countries.
Austin center includes engineering lab
In addition, Bosch Rexroth said its Austin CIC has a state-of-the-art engineering lab. Manufacturing customers and other partners can join the company's engineering teams from around the world to address specific factory automation challenges and applications.
The lab provides a collaborative setting to solve manufacturing system design, engineering, and implementation challenges, said Bosch Rexroth. Customers can engage with experts to develop working prototypes and proof-of-concept systems that integrate multiple controls, drives, material transport, assembly, and linear motion products from the company’s portfolio.
For more information on the Austin Customer Innovation Center or to schedule a tour, visit www.boschrexroth.com/en/us/