Three versions of the new Bodas RC controllers in Rexroth’s 40 series were unveiled at last week’s Agritechnica. The controllers cover functional safety and all relevant requirements of the agricultural sector. Autonomous applications and new connectivity trends are covered, ensuring developers are properly prepared for the future.
There are three versions in the 40 series of the scalable and modular system for the optimal control of electrohydraulic components: small, medium and large. As is the case with the tried-and-tested 30 series, the three versions feature the same connectors so that machine manufacturers have flexible scaling options with the controllers when developing their products. The Bodas RC 40 controllers and the corresponding software carry out tasks both in the travel drive and in the working hydraulics of mobile machines.
Safety today and tomorrow
The new generation of controllers is exceptionally well suited to use in agricultural machines. As such, the controllers fulfill the functional safety requirements of agricultural and forestry machinery in accordance with standard ISO 25119 and even feature safety functions that achieve agricultural performance level (AgPL) “d”. This will enable manufacturers to develop tomorrow’s applications today – which, for example, require an extremely high level of safety in autonomous applications.
New security mechanisms protect manufacturers and users both from any unintentional installation of the wrong software or software version and from any improper changes to settings. As such, passwords, which are assigned to the clearance levels of different roles within the machine manufacturer’s company, are allocated for example for parameters which meet legal requirements or are relevant in terms of safety.
Swift data transfer
Reliable connectivity is ensured via an ISObus connection, for example. The communication interface based on the CAN standard enables applications to be carried out with the Bodas RC 40 in tractors, attachments and other agricultural machines. Since Ethernet applications are also becoming increasingly common in mobile machines, the new mid and large Rexroth controllers also feature a 100Base-T1 interface. This standard, which is well established in the field of passenger cars and trucks, enables swift data transfer via a non-shielded two-wire line inside the vehicle and represents a major trend in terms of future connectivity in agricultural machinery.
The Bodas RC 40 controllers meet the EMC requirements of the agricultural sector and feature an ECE mark of conformity on account of a type approval in accordance with Regulation No 10.
