Length measurement with HEIDENHAIN linear encoder

1. Sealed linear encoders

Sealed linear encoders from HEIDENHAIN are protected from dust, chips, and splash fluids and are ideal for operation on machine tools.

• Accuracy grades as fine as ±2 µm
• Measuring steps of down to 0.001 µm
• Measuring lengths of up to 30 m (72 m upon request)
• Fast and simple installation
• Large mounting tolerances
• High acceleration loading
• Protection against contamination

Sealed linear encoders are available with

Full-size scale housing

• For high vibration loading
• Up to 30 m measuring length (72 m upon request)

Slimline scale housing

• For limited installation space
• Measuring lengths of up to 2040 mm (for measuring lengths starting from 1240 mm, mounting via mounting spar or tensioning elements)

The aluminum housing of a HEIDENHAIN sealed linear encoder protects the scale, scanning carriage and its guideway from chips, dust and fluids. Downward-oriented elastic lips seal the housing. The scanning carriage travels along the scale on a low friction guide. It is connected to the external mounting block by a coupling that compensates unavoidable misalignment between the scale and the machine guideways.

2. Exposed linear encoders

Exposed linear encoders from HEIDENHAIN operate with no mechanical contact between the scanning head and the scale or scale tape. Typical areas of application for these encoders include measuring machines, comparators, and other precision devices, as well as production and measuring equipment, for example in the semiconductor industry.

• Accuracy grades of ±0.5 µm and better
• For measuring steps of down to 0.001 µm (1 nm)
• Measuring lengths of up to 30 m
• No friction between scanning head and scale
• Small dimensions and low mass
• High traversing speeds

3. Length gauges

Length gauges from HEIDENHAIN feature integral guideways for the plunger. They are used to monitor measuring equipment, in industrial metrology and as position encoders.

• Accuracy grades as fine as ±0.1 µm
• For measuring steps of down to 0.005 µm (5 nm)
• Measuring lengths of up to 100 mm
• High measuring accuracy
• Available with automated plunger drive
• Simple mounting

4. Conclusion

With incremental linear encoders, the current position is determined by starting at a reference point and counting measuring steps, or by subdividing and counting signal periods. Incremental encoders from HEIDENHAIN feature reference marks, which must be scanned after switch-on to reestablish the reference point. This process is especially simple and fast with distance-coded reference marks.

Absolute linear encoders from HEIDENHAIN require no previous traverse to provide the current position value. The encoder transmits the absolute value through the EnDat interface or another serial interface.

The recommended measuring steps listed in the table refer primarily to position measurements. Smaller measuring steps, which are attained through higher interpolation factors of sinusoidal output signals, are useful in particular for applications in rotational speed control, e.g. on direct drives.

Under the designation functional safety, HEIDENHAIN offers encoders with purely serial data transmission as single-encoder systems for safety-related machines and systems. The two measured values are already formed independently of each other in the encoder, and are transmitted to the safe control via the EnDat interface.

Sealed linear encoders		Series
With full-size scale housing	Absolute position measurement	LC 100
	Absolute position measurement and large measuring lengths	LC 200
	Incremental position measurement	LS 100
	Very high repeatability	LF 100
	Typically for manual machines	LS 600
	Large measuring lengths	LB 300
With slimline scale housing	Absolute position measurement	LC 400
	Incremental position measurement	LS 400
	Very high repeatability	LF 400
	Typically for manual machines	LS 300
Exposed linear encoders
	Very high accuracy	LIP
	Two-coordinate encoders	LIF, PP
	For high accuracy and large measuring lengths	LIDA
	Absolute position measurement	LIC
Length gauges
	For measuring stations and multipoint inspection apparatuses	AT, CT, MT, ST

With more than 20 years of experience in mechanical engineering, AMS Co., Ltd is proud to be the official exclusive distributor of HEIDENHAIN in Vietnam. We distribute all HEIDENHAIN products and provide after-sales service directly from the experts affiliated with HEIDENHAIN.

Contact us now for the best prices on the market. 

AMS Company, Ltd.
243/9/10D To Hien Thanh, Ward 13, District 10
Hot line: 028.3868 3738/3903 - Fax: 028.3868 3797