PRODUCT REVIEWS
Reduced cycle times in projection welding
At EuroBLECH, Bosch Rexroth and CenterLine will present“ a highly efficient solution for projection welding.” Projection welding is a particularly powerful variant of resistance welding, in which several points can be welded at the same time compared to spot welding.
“ CenterLine’ s Softmount welding gun, which is PRC7000 controlled with Rexroth welding control, enables cycle time reductions of up to 60 %. This is ensured by rapid positioning of the servo-driven electrode and a feeding process of the joining elements that takes place parallel to the component movement. In addition, users with the solution save significant process energy, can apply less cooling power and can increase their electrode service life due to the lower thermal load,” explained Bosch Rexroth.
“ The combination of Rexroth welding control and our SoftMount welding gun enables an enormous reduction in process time( welding time) from 100ms to 10ms, for example. This enables our customers to map projection welding processes much faster and more efficiently than ever before,” summarised Udo Schulz, Managing Director, CenterLine. The technical basis is a welding control system with integrated servo function and a design-optimised welding gun.
The PRC7000 welding controller combines freely configurable hardware and adaptive controllers with an open system architecture to create a flexible solution for resistance welding processes. It can be used to implement various applications in resistance welding with different base materials. It is also easier to integrate a servo drive.
“ With the intuitive‘ PRI-web’ web-based user interface, the system can be put into operation very easily. Supplemented by PRI7000 engineering software, the system can be monitored in detail. The IoT Connector provides all relevant process and quality data via OPC UA or MQTT protocol for higherlevel MES and cloud systems,” added Bosch Rexroth.
The SoftMount welding gun centres its position to a punch hole to consistently attach a fastener by projection welding. It is particularly suitable for robotic applications where the dimensions of the parts, the hole positions or the tools have tolerances.
“ Nut welding with the QFP( Quick Fastener Placement) unit achieves significantly shorter cycle times than conventional automated welding processes. The QFP unit allows the welding nut to be fed, even during robot movement or idle time. The floating bearing of the welding gun compensates for tolerances and reduces the lateral forces acting on the welding pins. This reduces downtime and effort in robot programming,” concluded Bosch Rexroth.
The SoftMount welding gun.
Both companies will be presenting the Rexroth control cabinet with the PRC7400 welding control system and the SoftMount welding gun from CenterLine at the Rexroth booth( Hall 11, Booth D08) at EuroBLECH 2026 from 20-23 October 2026. n
www. boschrexroth. com
Launch of air quality monitoring solution
Zehnder Clean Air Solutions has launched its Air Quality Monitoring( AQM) solution.
“ This fully managed service transforms air quality from an assumption into a controlled operational parameter. For decades, companies have relied on periodic measurements, isolated sensors or reactive checks to assess air quality. But airborne risks do not behave that way. They move, accumulate and affect entire facilities – often without being seen. AQM delivers continuous, real-time visibility of airborne conditions across the facility – including particulate matter( PM1, PM2.5, PM4, PM10), temperature, humidity, VOCs, CO₂ and more – combined with intelligent analysis through the CARA( Clean Air Remote Application) platform,” explained the company.
But unlike conventional solutions, Zehnder does not stop at data.
“ Most solutions give you numbers. We give you control,” outlined Magnus Bladh, Head of Technology, Zehnder Clean Air Solutions.
Image: Zehnder Group International AG, Gränichen.
“ Air quality is too critical to be monitored passively. It needs to be actively managed – and that requires structure, intelligence and responsibility.”
Some providers focus on measurement alone. Zehnder combines measurement with continuous optimisation and operational support, turning insight into structured, ongoing action. Zehnder supports organisations through a fully managed service model that, it says, brings clarity and consistency to air quality management.
“ Delivered as a service, AQM includes installation, optimal sensor placement, maintenance and expert data interpretation. The result is a simplified, structured approach that reduces complexity while supporting compliance processes and operational performance. At its core, AQM enables a new way of managing air, one that moves from measurement to understanding, from understanding to control, and ultimately to stable conditions over time. In practice, this means that deviations can be detected earlier, responses can be initiated before issues escalate, and air quality performance can be documented continuously across a facility,” it concluded. n
www. zehndercleanairsolutions. com
110 | ismr. net | ISMR October 2026