IKS0056 by Bosch Rexroth Indramat

Bosch Rexroth Indramat supplies the IKS0056 as a member of the IKS Encoder Cables series. The product is a flexible encoder cable that transfers incremental or absolute position data between a machine's feedback transducer and the associated drive controller. In industrial automation, this dedicated link preserves timing accuracy during motion sequences and withstands continuous carrier movement in gantries, pick-and-place units, and machining centers. Its role is to keep position signals stable while the cable is routed through moving machine sections that cycle repeatedly during normal operation.

The cable core is protected by a PUR outer jacket that resists cutting oils and maintains elasticity during repeated motion. Its overall diameter of 8.7 mm allows compact routing through energy chains and crowded machine enclosures. In a fixed installation, the cable can bend to 5 x D, while moving applications require at least 7.5 x D to keep conductor strain within an acceptable range. The cable is rated for 2,000,000 flex cycles, making it suitable for long operating duty. Tinned copper braiding, filler elements, and the cable geometry help reduce corkscrew deformation and support stable impedance during high-frequency encoder transmission.

During machine motion, the cable operates from -20 °C to +80 °C, and fixed routing allows a lower minimum temperature. An aluminized foil with over-braid creates a Total Shield that helps block electromagnetic interference from nearby servo power lines in the same drag chain. Power for the encoder is carried through conductors of 2x0.5 mm², while twin twisted signal pairs handle differential transmission to reduce crosstalk. The orange RAL 2003 jacket supports quick visual identification on the machine, and storage is permitted over the same fixed-installation temperature range.