RKG0018 by Bosch Rexroth Indramat

The RKG0018 cable is produced by Bosch Rexroth Indramat within the RKG Encoder Cables series. It is an encoder feedback lead intended to relay position data between a servo motor and its drive or controller in automated machinery, where accurate displacement information is required for closed-loop motion control. The shielded assembly maintains differential signal quality over routing distances common in packaging lines, gantry axes, and transfer stations.

The assembly is built from the INS0701, INK0720, and INS0761 component set and has a service life rated for 5,000,000 flexing cycles. When installed in a fixed routing, the minimum bend radius is 5 x D, while dynamic routing in cable tracks requires 7.5 x D. A sheath outside diameter of 9.7 mm keeps the bundle compact, and the outer jacket is molded from PUR to resist oils and abrasion. These bend limits help prevent conductor and shield fatigue, supporting dependable performance in axes that reverse direction repeatedly. The cable is suitable for drag chain operation, and the polymer formulation is halogen-free, allowing use in enclosed production cells that demand low smoke toxicity during a fire.

On the controller side, the conductor set terminates in a D-Sub 15-pin connector that is fitted with solder socket contacts for vibration-resistant joints. Two supply cores with a cross-section of 2×1.0 mm² deliver encoder power, and three twisted shielded control pairs of 0.25 mm² each manage signal channels. Continuous operation is permitted up to a conductor temperature of 80 °C. Visual identification in cable trays is straightforward thanks to the orange jacket coded RAL 2003. The soldered interface maintains low contact resistance through thermal cycling and mechanical shock, safeguarding data integrity over the cable's service life.