IKS4001 by Bosch Rexroth Indramat

The IKS4001 encoder cable is part of the IKS Encoder Cables series from Bosch Rexroth Indramat. As a dedicated feedback link, it connects position transducers on servo motors to drive controllers so that motion loops receive digital angle and speed data in real time while also distributing auxiliary power to the sensing electronics. It is intended for use inside moving cable carriers and other dynamic machine elements common in automated assembly lines. This arrangement allows the controller to track rotor position continuously during speed changes and indexing moves.

The mechanical endurance of the cable is rated for 5,000,000 bending cycles, which means it can articulate inside a drag chain for that number of strokes without conductor or shield fatigue. Because the product is approved for drag-chain use, it can be routed through constantly moving energy tracks on automated equipment. A jacket diameter of 9.7 mm gives the cable its outer size and works with the 5×D minimum fixed bend radius to help prevent kinking during static installation. Signal integrity is handled through an M23 17-pin plug at the motor side and a D-Sub encoder connector at the controller end, so the wiring matches standard Rexroth servo hardware. Data exchange uses the EnDat GDM/GDS 2.x interface, and the orange sheath is molded from PUR, which provides abrasion resistance and oil tolerance in industrial enclosures.

During motion, a bend radius of 7.5×D applies to dynamic loops, keeping the conductors within elastic limits up to the allowed temperature of 80 °C. A total shield surrounds the cable cores to help protect encoder signals from motor-bus noise. Four 1 mm² power conductors supply the transducer, while separate 0.25 mm² triads and single conductors carry control lines. The outer jacket is colored RAL 2003 orange for quick identification among bundled cables. The conductor arrangement separates power from feedback paths, which helps maintain stable communication between the encoder and the drive.