RKG0028 by Bosch Rexroth Indramat

The RKG0028 encoder cable is produced by Bosch Rexroth Indramat as part of the RKG Encoder Cables series. It carries position feedback and auxiliary power between encoders and drive amplifiers in automated stations, supporting stable motion control during continuous axis travel and helping the drive maintain reliable position information during rapid acceleration and deceleration. Optimized for continuous-motion axes, it withstands millions of flex cycles while maintaining low electrical noise, allowing controllers to receive accurate shaft data in packaging machines, pick-and-place arms, and palletizers. Its 17-pin circular connectors support secure attachment at both ends and simplify cable routing in compact machine layouts.

This model is rated for 5,000,000 bending cycles, so it suits energy-chain and robot axes that repeat the same motions over long operating periods. The cable uses bulk cable INK0280, whose insulation, shielding, and pair lay length support stable encoder signals. Its multicore arrangement of 3x0.25+3x(2x0.25) StC+2x1.0 mm² combines three power conductors, three twisted signal pairs, and two larger supply cores under a common shield. This layout keeps signal and supply conductors organized in one moving cable instead of separate runs. An outer diameter of 10.0 mm allows the cable to pass through standard drag-chain separators without excessive fill. Control lines carry up to 300 V, allowing encoder electronics and related auxiliary circuits to share the same harness.

Connection hardware is standardized: the motor side terminates in an M23 17-pin (socket), and the controller end uses an M23 17-pin (pin), so mating with compatible Rexroth resolver modules or Hiperface encoders is direct and secure. During dynamic motion, the cable must not be bent tighter than a 7.5xD radius, which helps preserve conductor integrity, while stationary dress packs can use the smaller static limit of 5xD. The sheath is made of PUR (orange RAL 2003), a material that resists oil, welding sparks, and coolant splashes in machine tools and assembly cells. This jacket also supports flexible routing where the cable is exposed to repeated movement and contact with surrounding hardware in dense machine spaces.