Manuela Kessler24.08.2026Lohr am Main / Germany | PI 031/26
Bosch Rexroth and CenterLine reduce cycle times for projection welding by up to 60%
With the PRC7000 welding control from Bosch Rexroth and the SoftMount Gun from CenterLine, users minimize the cycle times of their projection welding processes. (Image source photo on the left: CenterLine Germany GmbH, image source photo on the right: Bosch Rexroth AG)
At EuroBLECH, Bosch Rexroth and CenterLine are presenting a highly efficient projection welding solution. The CenterLine SoftMount Gun, which is controlled with the Rexroth PRC7000 welding control, enable a cycle time reduction of up to 60%. This is achieved by the very fast positioning of the servo-driven electrode and a feeding process for the joining elements that takes place in parallel to the movement of the component. In addition, users save significant process energy with the solution, reduce cooling requirements and increase their electrode service life due to the lower thermal load.
“The combination of the Rexroth welding control and our SoftMount Gun enables an enormous reduction in process time (welding time) from, for example, 100 ms to under 10 ms. This allows our customers to perform projection welding processes much faster and more efficiently than ever before,” summarizes Udo Schulz, Managing Director at CenterLine. The technical basis is a welding control with integrated servo function and a design-optimized welding gun.
Welding control PRC7000: Highly efficient projection and spot welding
The PRC7000 welding control combines freely configurable hardware and adaptive controllers with an open system architecture to create a highly precise and flexible solution for resistance welding processes. It can be used to realize various applications in the field of resistance welding with different basic materials. The integrated servo logic significantly simplifies the integration of a servo drive.
The system can be operated and commissioned very easily with the intuitive, web-based "PRI-web" user interface. When used in conjunction with the PRI7000 engineering software, the system can be monitored in detail and with precision. The IoT Connector provides all relevant process and quality data via OPC UA or MQTT protocol for higher-level MES and cloud systems.
SoftMount Gun: Shorter cycle times for robotic applications
The SoftMount Gun precisely centers itself relative to a punched hole to consistently attach a fastener using projection welding. It is ideal for robotic applications where dimensions of the parts, the hole positions, or the tools have tolerances.
Nut welding applications using the QFP (Quick Fastener Placement) unit achieve significantly shorter cycle times than conventional automated welding processes. The QFP unit allows the welding nut to be fed even while the robot is in motion or during idle times. The floating mount of the welding gun compensates for tolerances and reduces the lateral forces acting on the welding pins. This minimizes downtime and robot programming effort.
Economic projection welding
Projection welding is a particularly powerful variant of resistance welding, in which several points can be welded simultaneously compared to spot welding. The process is used primarily for welding screws and nuts, but also wire mesh, drying racks, protective fences and electrolyzers.
The Rexroth cabinet with the PRC7400 welding control and the SoftMount Gun from CenterLine will be presented by both companies at the Rexroth trade fair booth (hall 11, booth D08) at EuroBLECH.
As one of the world’s leading suppliers of drive and control technologies, Bosch Rexroth ensures efficient, powerful and safe movement in machines and systems of any size. The company bundles global application experience in the market segments of Mobile and Industrial Applications as well as Factory Automation. With its intelligent components, customized system solutions, engineering and services, Bosch Rexroth is creating the necessary environment for fully connected applications. Bosch Rexroth offers its customers hydraulics, electric drive and control technology, gear technology and linear motion and assembly technology, including software and interfaces to the Internet of Things. With locations in over 80 countries, around 31,900 associates generated sales revenue of 6.5 billion euros in 2025.
Basic Information Bosch
The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. It employs roughly 413,000 associates worldwide (as of December 31, 2025). The company generated sales of 91 billion euros in 2025. Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Mobility, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. With its business activities, the company aims to use technology to help shape universal trends such as automation, digitalization, electrification, and artificial intelligence. In this context, Bosch’s broad diversification across regions and industries strengthens its innovativeness and robustness. Bosch uses its proven expertise in hardware, software, and services to offer customers cross-domain solutions from a single source. It also applies its expertise in connectivity and artificial intelligence in order to develop and manufacture intelligent, user-friendly, and sustainable products. With technology that is “Invented for life,” Bosch wants to help improve quality of life and conserve natural resources. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 500 subsidiary and regional companies in over 60 countries. Including sales and service partners, Bosch’s global manufacturing, engineering, and sales network covers nearly every country in the world. Bosch’s innovative strength is key to the company’s further development. Bosch employs some 82,000 associates in research and development.
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