Bosch-Rexroth

Bosch Rexroth is a leading global manufacturer of drive and control technologies, with a focus on industrial and mobile hydraulics. The company develops, manufactures, and markets hydraulic pumps, hydraulic motors, valves, and complete system solutions for machine and plant engineering. As a division of Robert Bosch GmbH, Rexroth is one of the leading players in the global hydraulics market.

History and Development of Rexroth in the Hydraulics Sector

Rexroth’s origins date back to 1795, when an ironworks was founded in Lohr am Main. The company’s actual entry into the hydraulics sector took place in the 1950s and laid the foundation for its later rise to become a global market leader. With standardized hydraulic components, Rexroth initially tapped into the German-speaking market and subsequently built up an international sales network.

From Mannesmann Rexroth to Bosch Rexroth

In 2001, Mannesmann Rexroth AG merged with the automation technology division of Robert Bosch GmbH. Since May 1, 2001, the company has operated as Bosch Rexroth AG, bringing together hydraulics, electric drives, controls, linear technology, and assembly technology under one roof. This integration strengthened Rexroth’s position as a system supplier that offers complete motion and control solutions beyond mere components.

Rexroth as a Brand Within the Bosch Group

Within the Bosch Group, Rexroth functions as an independent industrial brand with a clear focus on drive and control technology. The brand targets machine builders, plant operators, and mobile users seeking high-quality hydraulic components and networked system solutions. Rexroth does not position itself merely as a component supplier but rather as a technology leader that integrates hydraulics with electronics, software, and the IoT.

Product Portfolio: Hydraulic Components from Rexroth

Rexroth’s hydraulic portfolio covers nearly all functional areas of a hydraulic system. From pressure generation and control to the conversion of pressure into mechanical energy, Rexroth offers components for open and closed circuits in stationary and mobile applications.

Axial piston pumps for open circuits

Rexroth’s best-known axial piston pumps for open circuits are the A10VSO and A4VSO series. Both operate on the swashplate principle and offer variable displacement.

The A10VSO is considered one of the most widely used industrial pumps worldwide. It covers displacements ranging from approximately 18 to 140 cm³ per revolution and operates at nominal pressures around 280 bar, with peak values up to 350 bar. Design engineers value this series for its compact design, wide range of adjustment options, and excellent suction capacity. Typical applications include machine tools, presses, and plastic injection molding machines.

The A4VSO expands the range into the higher performance segment. It is available in sizes up to approximately 1, 000 cm³ per revolution and supports nominal pressures up to 350 bar. A special feature of the A4VSO is its suitability for HFC fluids (water-glycol), which are used in applications with heightened fire safety requirements. The pump also offers through-shaft options for coupling multiple pumps to a single drive shaft.

Axial piston pumps for closed circuits

Rexroth supplies the A4VG series for hydrostatic travel drives in mobile machinery. This pump operates in a closed circuit and is designed for nominal pressures up to 400 bar, with peak pressures up to 450 bar. The A4VG integrates a charge valve and a high-pressure relief valve, as well as a drive-through for auxiliary pumps. Various control options cover different requirement profiles, ranging from speed-dependent automatic control to electrohydraulic proportional control.

Axial-piston motors from Rexroth

Rexroth offers variable-displacement and fixed-displacement axial piston motors. The A6VM is a variable-displacement motor based on the swash plate principle, primarily used in travel drives for crawler tracks, wheel loaders, and harvesters. Its variable displacement allows the speed and torque to be adjusted to changing operating conditions.

The A2FM is a fixed-displacement motor with a constant displacement. It is characterized by high power density and compact design and is used as a wheel and drive motor in mobile machinery as well as in industrial rotary and conveyor drives.

Radial-piston motors

For applications requiring very high torque at low speeds, Rexroth offers various series of radial piston motors. These motors achieve output torques that surpass those of axial piston motors and are used in winches, rotating mechanisms, conveyor belts, and marine hydraulic systems. Wheel hub motors with integrated planetary gearboxes round out the portfolio.

Valve Technology and Hydraulic Blocks

Rexroth is one of the leading suppliers of hydraulic valves. The product range extends from standard directional control valves to pressure and flow control valves, as well as proportional and servo valves with integrated electronics. Hydraulic blocks, which combine multiple valve functions in a single housing, can be configured to customer specifications or according to standard designs. Sensors and electronic interfaces complement the blocks for networked applications.

Rexroth’s Displacement Types and Control Technology

A distinctive feature of Rexroth hydraulic pumps is the variety of displacement and control types. The designations DBE, DFE, and CT represent different electrohydraulic control concepts.

DBE Displacement Control

DBE variable displacement combines hydraulic pressure and flow control with electronic control. Pressure and flow limits can be dynamically adjusted via a proportional valve. This type of variable displacement is suitable for systems in which multiple consumers are connected to a single pump and the pressure demand fluctuates.

DFE Control

DFE control is designed for energy-efficient pump regulation. It combines pump control with a speed-controlled electric motor, so that flow rate and pressure are jointly regulated via the motor speed and the pump’s swivel angle. This configuration, which Rexroth markets under the name Sytronix, significantly reduces energy consumption in presses, injection molding machines, and machine tools.

CT Displacement Control

CT control maintains a constant system pressure, regardless of the flow rate requirements of the connected consumers. It is used in systems that require a constant pressure level for multiple hydraulic functions.

Digitalization and IoT at Rexroth

Rexroth is systematically advancing the digitalization of hydraulics. Sensors on pumps and power units measure pressure, temperature, vibration, and operating times. IoT gateways transmit this data to edge devices or cloud platforms, where it is analyzed for condition monitoring and predictive maintenance.

Condition Monitoring and Predictive Maintenance

Networked sensors enable the early detection of wear in hydraulic components. Increasing leakage rates, changes in vibration patterns, or unusual temperature trends indicate incipient defects before a failure occurs. This enables maintenance technicians to plan maintenance intervals based on actual needs and reduce unplanned downtime.

CNC and Motion Control Integration

In the field of servo-hydraulic machines, Rexroth combines hydraulics with CNC and motion control systems from the IndraMotion family. These controllers coordinate positioning and pressure control on hydraulic axes, synchronize multiple axes, and integrate hydraulics into higher-level automation systems. Applications include presses, bending machines, and test benches.

Rexroth in the Global Hydraulics Market

Bosch Rexroth is one of the leading players in the global hydraulics market. Market studies consistently rank Rexroth among the top group of hydraulics manufacturers, often placing it first in terms of revenue or portfolio breadth. The global hydraulics market is fragmented, and the leading manufacturers each hold only low single-digit market shares. With a global market share of around 3 percent, Rexroth is cited as the revenue leader in the hydraulic equipment market.

Competitor Comparison

Rexroth’s main competitors in the hydraulics sector are:

• Parker Hannifin: A full-line supplier with a broad global distribution network, strong in industrial and mobile hydraulics.
• Danfoss Power Solutions: Following the acquisition of Eaton’s hydraulics division, one of the largest suppliers in mobile hydraulics with a focus on agricultural and construction machinery.
• Kawasaki Precision Machinery: A specialist in high-pressure axial piston pumps and motors, particularly strong in the Asian market.
• Linde Hydraulics: A German supplier focused on mobile hydraulics and closed-loop systems.
• HAWE Hydraulik and Hydac: German specialists in power units, compact valves, and filtration.