RKB0013 by Bosch Rexroth Indramat

The RKB0013 cable is a ready-made Ethernet communication lead manufactured by Bosch Rexroth Indramat and supplied within the RKB Control Cables series. It is identified as a Basic model and is intended to link motion controllers, servo drives, and network switches in industrial automation cells. The cable carries synchronized data for drive coordination and diagnostic feedback, so it suits machine sections that need a preassembled network connection for consistent communication. Because it arrives as a finished assembly, it can be installed without cutting cable ends or attaching separate plugs.

The mechanical service life reaches 5,000,000 flexing cycles, which supports continuous routing through cable chains on high-duty axes. For real-time messaging, it supports the Sercos III bus, and the copper pair geometry follows the Cat 5e Ethernet standard so 100 Mbps transmissions maintain low crosstalk. Both ends terminate in shielded RJ45 plugs with a straight orientation, eliminating pin crossovers and simplifying panel layout. The shielded terminations also help preserve network performance in electrically noisy equipment. Motion loops that impose constant articulation can use a dynamic bending radius of 7.5 × D, so the cable can repeatedly bend around a curve with a centerline radius seven and a half times its outer diameter. The cable is delivered as a ready-made Ethernet variant, so field assembly is unnecessary.

Signal integrity is maintained from -30 to 80 °C, letting machines operate in cold areas or near equipment that produces radiant heat. When lines are parked or routed in fixed trays, the minimum static bend drops to 5 × D, allowing tighter corners than during motion. The eight-wire geometry uses an 8-pin layout that preserves TIA-568B pair mapping, so common diagnostic tools can be applied without special adapters. This arrangement also supports standard network test equipment during routine verification. During storage or shipment, the cable remains protected within a temperature band of -30 to 40 °C, which helps prevent jacket embrittlement before installation.