RKB0001 by Bosch Rexroth Indramat

The RKB0001 is a control cable produced by Bosch Rexroth Indramat for the RKB Control Cables series. It is supplied as a system bus link between drives, I/O racks, and controllers, allowing signal exchange without manual field termination. Inside an automation cell, the cable carries serial data while tolerating continuous drag-chain motion and the temperature changes common to machining centers and material-handling equipment. Its prefabricated form also helps keep connector layout consistent across linked devices. This makes it suitable for machine sections that rely on preassembled bus wiring to reduce variation in internal control connections.

The cable is rated for 5,000,000 flex cycles, indicating the level of repeated motion it can withstand before conductor fatigue becomes a concern. During movement, it may be routed through carriers down to a 7.5 x D dynamic bend radius, where D is the outer diameter, while fixed installation permits a tighter 5 x D bend. Its operating temperature range extends from -30 °C at startup to 80 °C during live operation, supporting use near cold process zones and warmer control hardware. The bending limits apply to repeated carrier motion and fixed routing, so cable paths can be planned without exceeding the allowable curvature. These values describe the motion and thermal limits for normal service.

The assembly is supplied as a ready-made harness in a System Bus Cable version based on the basic model. Because each lead is factory-terminated, the connection points are fixed before installation, which helps maintain consistent electrical interfaces between the connected modules. The prefabricated construction removes the need for pin assignment or conductor preparation at the point of installation. For storage, ambient temperature can rise to 40 °C without harming the PVC insulation. The finished cable can be routed and installed without adding field terminations at the cabinet.