Product Description:

The KE300 system box unit is produced by Bosch Rexroth Indramat within the SB System Box Units series. It acts as a centralized control node that combines fieldbus communication, Ethernet networking, and discrete I/O handling to coordinate numerous tightening spindles in automated assembly lines. By housing communication interfaces and processor modules inside a compact enclosure, the unit simplifies the distribution of power-tool commands, data logging, and process interlocks on the factory floor.

The I/O panel offers 10 galvanically isolated 24 V inputs for sensor feedback and 13 24 V outputs for actuator control, so basic field devices can be wired without additional relays. For legacy PLC links, the bidirectional 3964R protocol operates on the Standard Bus System and supports deterministic handshake telegrams. On the Ethernet side, a 10BaseT port exchanges process data over TCP/IP and supports FTP file transfers for recipe or log retrieval. The internal buffer holds 32 MB, helping prevent packet loss during periods of high network traffic. Two serial channels accept RS232/RS422/20 mA signaling, allowing barcode readers or torque analyzers to report directly to the controller. Three free card slots allow expansion with optional fieldbus or memory modules as system complexity grows.

For larger installations, up to sixteen system boxes can be linked through the standard backplane, supporting as many as 40 tightening channels under one master task. For remote I/O, the Interbus-S interface handles up to 160 I/O points, while the Profibus-DP port supports up to 512 I/O points; this capacity allows valve islands, light curtains, and sensor hubs to be connected without separate gateways. Despite its communication and expansion capacity, the enclosure weighs only 1.5 kg, so it can be mounted on DIN rails inside control cabinets without placing excessive stress on the panel structure.