Description
Bosch Rexroth KE310 — Communication Module (Part No. 0 608 830 240)
What It Is
The KE310 is an intelligent communication module manufactured by Bosch Rexroth for the IndraControl / IndraDrive product family. Part number 0 608 830 240 identifies the base KE310 housing unit — typically supplied without communication daughter cards (hence the “CN” / communication housing designation seen in listings). It serves as the brains and connectivity hub for Rexroth’s BT300 card rack system, bridging between the host controller (PLC, CNC, or PC-based motion controller) and the servo drives, I/O modules, and fieldbus networks on the machine.
Think of it as the translator and traffic controller inside a Rexroth drive cabinet — it takes commands from your PLC over EtherCAT, PROFIBUS, or Interbus, converts them into drive-level instructions, collects status data back, and routes everything to the right place.
REXROTH 0 608 830 240 KE310 TIGHTENING COMMUNICATION MODULE
Where It Lives in the System
The KE310 is designed to be plugged into a BT300 system housing or card rack (the metal chassis that holds all the Rexroth modules in a cabinet). A typical BT300 rack looks like this from left to right:
- Power supply module (e.g., LT304, part 0 608 750 085) — provides 24V DC and 330V bus power
- KE310 communication module (this unit) — sits in one of the card slots and talks to the outside world
- Servo amplifier modules (e.g., LT304, LTU350) — one per motor axis
- I/O modules (digital in, digital out, analog in, analog out)
- Fieldbus interface modules — Interbus-S (SMibs 0608830164), Profibus DP (SMpdp 0608830165), DeviceNet (SMdev 0608830248), RS232/RS422 serial (SMser 0608830167), or 24V parallel I/O (SM24V 0608830166)
The KE310 is the master communicator — all the other modules talk to the host system through it.
Key Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Part Number | 0 608 830 240 |
| Module Type | Communication controller / master module |
| Form Factor | Single-width BT300 card rack module (approx. 120mm × 40mm × 130mm) |
| Supply Voltage | 24V DC (from the rack power supply) |
| Communication Interfaces (built into KE310 base) | RS232 (X11, 9-pin Sub-D), RS232/20mA (X12, 25-pin Sub-D), RS232/RS422 (X13, 25-pin Sub-D) |
| Fieldbus Expansion | Via plug-in daughter cards — Interbus-S, Profibus DP, DeviceNet, RS232/RS422/20mA serial, 24V parallel I/O |
| Number of Expansion Slots | 3 additional module slots for fieldbus/I/O cards |
| Real-Time Clock | Yes — battery-backed (CR2430 lithium battery, Sony or Sanyo) |
| Data Storage | Non-volatile memory — parameters and programs survive power loss |
| Status Indicators | LED: Red = system error, Green = ready, Green flashing = not ready (initializing) |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to +55°C (industrial grade) |
| Protection | IP20 (when mounted in enclosed cabinet) |
| Weight | Approximately 0.3 – 0.5 kg |
Communication Interfaces in Detail
The KE310 base unit provides three physical interfaces on its front panel:
X11 — RS232 (9-pin Sub-D)
- Designed for connecting a programmer or PC (e.g., Rexroth D301 programmer)
- Pins: Rx, Tx, RTS, CTS, GND
- Voltage levels: ±12V
- Power output on pin 4: 24V / 300mA (can power external devices like barcode readers)
X12 — RS232 / 20mA current loop (25-pin Sub-D)
- Dual-mode: either RS232 or 20mA (current loop)
- Used for connecting data terminals, barcode scanners, scales
- Only one mode active at a time — selected by internal jumper/configuration
X13 — RS232 / RS422 (25-pin Sub-D)
- Dual-mode: either RS232 point-to-point or RS422 multi-drop
- RS422 supports longer cable runs (up to 1200m) and multi-device networks
- Ideal for connecting multiple drives or remote I/O in a daisy chain
Compatible Daughter Cards (Fieldbus & I/O)
The real power of the KE310 comes from the plug-in expansion modules that slot into its three expansion bays:
| Module | Part Number | Function |
|---|---|---|
| SMibs | 0608830164 | Interbus-S fieldbus master |
| SMpdp | 0608830165 | Profibus DP fieldbus master |
| SMdev | 0608830248 | DeviceNet fieldbus master |
| SM24V | 0608830166 | 24V parallel I/O (digital in/out) |
| SMser | 0608830167 | RS232 / RS422 / 20mA serial expansion |
Note: SMpdp, SMdev, and SMibs are mutually exclusive — you can only use one fieldbus master at a time.
How It Works in Practice
Here is a typical commissioning flow:
- Power up the BT300 rack — the LT304 power supply module energizes the bus
- The KE310 boots — the red LED blinks during initialization (~30 seconds)
- Once the fieldbus card (e.g., SMpdp for Profibus) is inserted and configured, the KE310 establishes communication with the PLC
- The PLC (Siemens S7, Allen-Bradley, etc.) sends motion commands via Profibus/EtherCAT to the KE310
- The KE310 routes commands to the appropriate servo amplifier (LT304/LTU350) which drives the motor
- Encoder feedback, status, alarms, and diagnostic data flow back through the KE310 to the PLC
- All parameters (motor data, PID gains, limits) are stored in the KE310’s non-volatile memory — no re-homing required after power loss (thanks to the absolute encoder support)
Typical Applications
- CNC machine tools — lathes, mills, grinders (connecting Siemens/Heidenhain CNC to Rexroth servo drives)
- Packaging machines — high-speed pick-and-place, forming, sealing
- Printing presses — web tension control, register synchronization
- Metal forming — press lines, stamping, bending
- Plastics machinery — injection molding, extrusion
- Material handling — conveyor systems, AGVs, palletizers
- Textile machines — winding, weaving, knitting
Essentially anywhere you see a Rexroth IndraDrive servo system in a cabinet, there is almost certainly a KE310 (or its predecessor KE200/KE300) inside doing the communication heavy lifting.
Relationship to Other Rexroth Modules
| Module | Role |
|---|---|
| KE300 (0608830162) | Older generation communication module — KE310 is its direct successor with more memory and faster processing |
| SE301 (0608830160) | Tightening controller for BT300 — a specialized application module that also plugs into the same rack |
| SE311 (0608830237) | Next-gen tightening controller — successor to SE301 |
| LT304 (0608750085) | Servo amplifier (7A, 330V) — the power stage that the KE310 talks to |
| LTU350 (0608750108) | Larger servo amplifier — same communication interface |
| MKD/MKD071B | Rexroth servo motors — the actuators driven by the LT304/LTU350 |
Status & Availability
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Status | Obsolete / legacy product — Rexroth has moved to newer platforms (KE400 / IndraControl VEP / ctrlX) |
| Still in use? | Massively yes — tens of thousands of KE310-based systems are running worldwide, especially in CNC and packaging |
| New old stock | Available from authorized Rexroth distributors and specialty surplus dealers — typically 4–10 week lead time |
| Refurbished units | Widely available from third-party repair shops — often a cost-effective option |
| Price range | €800 – €2,500 depending on condition, included cards, and whether it’s new or refurbished |
| Replacement path | Rexroth recommends migrating to IndraControl VEP50 or ctrlX AUTOMATION platforms for new machines |
Common Issues & Maintenance Tips
- Battery replacement: The CR2430 lithium battery lasts 3–5 years. When it dies, the real-time clock resets and all stored parameters are lost — the module must be re-commissioned from scratch. Replacement procedure: power off rack, press the battery retainer clip, slide out the old cell, insert the new one (positive side up), push until it clicks.
- LED diagnostics: Red = hardware fault or missing fieldbus card; Green solid = ready; Green flashing = waiting for fieldbus connection or initialization.
- Firmware updates: The KE310 firmware can be updated via the RS232 programmer port (X11) using Rexroth’s IndraWorks or Software Drive ES engineering tools.
- Heat: The module dissipates minimal heat but should not be mounted adjacent to high-power amplifier modules without adequate airflow.
Bottom Line
The Bosch Rexroth 0 608 830 240 KE310 is a legacy but still critically important communication master module for the BT300 card rack system. It provides RS232, RS422, and 20mA interfaces natively, and expands to Interbus-S, Profibus DP, DeviceNet, or parallel I/O via plug-in daughter cards. It is the central nervous system of Rexroth IndraDrive servo cabinets — receiving motion commands from the PLC, routing them to servo amplifiers, and collecting feedback from encoders and sensors. Although officially obsolete, the KE310 remains one of the most widely deployed communication modules in industrial automation worldwide, and spare parts/refurbished units are readily available for maintaining existing machines.
For datasheets, wiring diagrams, or firmware download, visit the Bosch Rexroth IndraDrive documentation portal or contact your local Rexroth sales office.
