Product Description:

The KE312 is a communication and expansion unit manufactured by Bosch Rexroth Indramat as part of the SB System Box Units series. Mounted inside a system box, the module supplements a machine control cabinet with additional fieldbus connections and low-voltage digital I/O for coordinated motion or process tasks. It serves as an interface node that connects decentralized groups of sensors and actuators to the central Indramat controller set used in automated production lines.

At the 24 V level, the module supports 10 digital inputs and 13 digital outputs, providing connection points for limit switches, valves, relays, and other machine devices without additional I/O modules. For distributed networks, an embedded Interbus-S master can scan up to 160 I/O points, while a separate PROFIBUS-DP interface addresses up to 512 I/O points. These capacities allow a single KE312 to manage several remote I/O stations across an automated system. Ethernet connectivity is provided through a twisted-pair port that supports 10Base-T, TCP/IP, and FTP, enabling parameter transfers or data logging through standard computers. Two front-accessible expansion bays provide 2 card slots for adding specialized interfaces without enlarging the enclosure. Internal communication with the host controller travels over the Standard Bus System, keeping module activity synchronized with the rest of the SB rack.

Legacy devices can be connected through RS-232, RS-422, and 20 mA current-loop ports for printers, barcode readers, labelers, and similar equipment. A single module can coordinate two drive or logic units, allowing their operations to remain synchronized within the machine control system. When installed in an SB301 or the deeper SBH301 housing, the unit supports an optional operator-panel connection for the rear-mounted SD301 display, allowing machine status to be viewed locally. The housing weighs 1.4 kg, which reduces the load placed on its mounting hardware and cabinet structure.