New Linear Position Transducer with VARAN Bus Interface from Balluff

Florence, Ky. – Balluff announces the Micropulse AT Linear Position Transducer with the VARAN Bus interface. It is able to track the location of up to four position-marker magnets. The transducer outputs a start/stop signal, which is used to calculate the position of each magnet using the transducer length and resolution. It’s available in a non-contact, floating magnet configuration, with optional measuring ranges from 50mm up to 1.5m. The VARAN client chip is embedded into the transducer itself as a low-cost FPGA, allowing simple read/write configuration and making it an economical solution for linear positioning.

VARAN Bus is a robust Ethernet-based industrial network protocol based on IEEE 802.3 100TX Standard Ethernet technology. VARAN Bus offers additional benefits over standard Ethernet including enhanced resistance against disruption, fast bus speed operating in “hard real-time”, with bus cycle times less than 100µs, and low jitter below 100ns, all of which lead to extremely high data integrity.

For more information on the Micropulse AT with VARAN Bus interface, visit www.balluff.com/AT

To learn more about the VARAN Bus real time industrial network protocol, visit http://www.varan-bus.net/index_en.htm.

www.balluff.com

New IP67-Rated LMB-410 spar linear encoders from AMO Corporation

AMO Corporation is proud to launch the all-new IP67-rated LMB-410 spar linear encoders at the IMTS 2010 in Chicago.

Available through CNC Design Pty Ltd (www.cncdesign.com) – a Melbourne-based control and automation specialist, the new LMB-410 measuring scales feature a stainless steel carrier providing robust measuring/position feedback and performance comparable to linear optical encoders.

The LMB-410 spar linear encoders, which operate on an inductive scanning principle, are suitable for general purpose machines like medical equipment, printing equipment, machine tools and military/aerospace applications.

Their IP67 rating makes the measuring scales suited for contaminated or dirty environmental conditions such as fluid submersible applications.

LMB-410 spar linear encoders feature adhesive-free mounting spar with a snap cover, which eliminates concerns associated to spars becoming loose in oily surroundings. The encoders also offer a slim stainless steel carrier integrated to the machine with an interlocking snap cover and screws to secure the scale tape in position. The encoder head can be equipped with automatic wipers to clean the scale during operation. The auto offset and gain compensation of the encoder head also eliminates the need for a test box during setup stage. The encoders can operate in a temperature range from -10º C to +100º C for up to 30m length and ±3μm/m accuracy. These meet high-speed, vibration and high-shock specifications.

Any non-guided AMOSIN encoder head can also be used with LMB-100 or LMB-400 scale mounting version. The absence of any magnetic components in the inductive scanning system removes the need for electromagnetic interference. Thus, AMOSIN encoders have no machine backlash error or measurement hysteresis.

RSF Open Linear Encoder

A new open linear encoder (no housing on scale) equipped with a unique integrated mounting control is now available from RSF. Called the MS 25, this RSF encoder utlizes a tricolored LED directly at the reading head enabling the user to gage if the mounting and subsequent measurement readings are optimal. It is available in North America through parent company HEIDENHAIN Corporation. Common applications for open linear encoders are stages for medical and semiconductor machines, as well as miscellaneous metrology applications.

Open, non-contact linear encoders are increasingly being used in measurement applications that require higher traversing speeds and operating cycles, as well as lower mechanical backlash and zero frictional force induced by an encoder. The RSF MS 25 linear encoder fits this bill and offers permanent control of the scanning signals over the whole measuring length. The use of the tricolored LED allows for easy mounting since no test box or oscilloscope is needed, and is helpful for quick troubleshooting during operation.

The RSF MS 25 utlizes a unique single-field scanning principle which allows for high traversing speeds (up to 10 m/s), large mounting tolerances and insensitivity to contamination on the scale. Integrated into the head of the MS 25 encoder is a wide range of interpolation electronics enabling resolutions from 10 µm to 100 nm. Two end-of-travel optical switch signals are also available directly out of the reader head. The end travel signal locations can be easily set by the user.

The buyer can also choose from six mounting configurations for the graduation, as well as from various substrate options for the tape and carrier. And due to recent advancements in technology, all of these benefits are now available in a small package design.

RSF Elektronik
www.rsf.at

AMO Corporation’s new IP67-Rated LMB-410 Spar Linear Encoder

AMO Corporation (www.amo-inc.com) is proud to announce the release of the new IP67-rated LMB-410 Spar Linear Encoder, which will be spotlighted at the 2010 International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) at McCormick Place, Chicago on September 13 to 18. The company’s stall will be found in Booth #E-5220 inside the Quality Assurance Pavilion located in the Lakeside Center (East) Building.

The new LMB-410 offers robust measuring/position feedback with IP-67 rating and performance similar to a linear optical encoder. The LMB-410, operating on an inductive scanning principle, is best suited for general purpose machines, such as medical equipment, printing equipment, machine tools and military/aerospace applications. Its IP67 rating makes the machine ideal for dirty or contaminated conditions including being fluid submersible.

Its adhesive-free mounting spar with a snap cover eliminates concerns related to adhesive-backed spars becoming loose in oily environments. Its encoder head is equipped with wipers to automatically clean spar scale during operation. The encoder head’s gain compensation and auto offset eliminate the need to use a test box during setup.

The LMB-410 is rated for operation that ranges from -40 to +120°C for any measuring length ± 5 micron/m linearity. The new encoder also meets high-shock, high-speed and vibration specifications.

FASTRACK Linear Encoder System from Renishaw

Renishaw’s new FASTRACK linear encoder scale system brings high accuracy, stainless steel construction and quick, easy installation to large, sectional machines used in flat-panel display and photovoltaic manufacturing applications, as well as large CMMs that require removal of the scale for transit. Also ideal for linear motors with aluminum substrates, and applications where thermal expansion of the scale must be independent of the machine structure, or those involving dissimilar axis materials, the track-mounted scale can run across gaps up to 25 mm wide, while providing ± 5 µm/m accuracy.

The FASTRACK system consists of two miniature guide rails that secure low-profile scales (8 x 0.2 mm cross-section) while allowing them to freely expand at their own thermal expansion rate with almost zero hysteresis. The scale can be installed, removed and reinstalled as many times as required, and damaged scales can be pulled out of the guide rails and quickly replaced, even where access is limited, reducing machine downtime.

FASTRACK is available on reels for cut-to-length flexibility at the point of installation, allowing machine builders to minimize stock and lead-times. Generous tolerance makes measuring and cutting quick and easy. Easily installed, the self-adhesive guide rails feature integral pre-aligned sacrificial spacers which are removed after the rails are fitted to the axis. The scale is then fed in from either end and locked to the substrate at a single datum point anywhere along the axis using cyanoacrylate glue or a clamp.

Part of a modular solution, FASTRACK can be used with either the RTLC stainless steel incremental scale and super-compact TONiC readhead, or Renishaw’s new RESOLUTE linear absolute encoder and RTLA absolute scale. The encoders in both set-ups feature advanced optoelectronics with resolutions to 1 nm, low sub-divisional error (SDE) and very low jitter for smooth velocity control and rock-solid positional stability. For TONiC RTLC incremental scale installations, limit magnets and a reference mark selector are fitted to the FASTRACK and secured with a bolted clamp rather than using glue. The RTLC scale features multiple INTRAC reference marks at regular spacing.

The FASTRACK system is backed by Renishaw’s global sales and support network and, like the TONiC and RESOLUTE encoder systems, it is compliant with the WEEE and RoHS environmental standards.

Renishaw
www.renishaw.com/encoders

SICK STEGMANN Introduces TTK70 Motor Feedback System

DAYTON, OH – SICK STEGMANN, INC. introduces the TTK70 Motor Feedback System.  The TTK70 is an absolute, non-contact linear measuring system that delivers measuring lengths up to 4,000 mm, resolution of <1 μm and system accuracy of <10 μm, at operating speeds up to 10 m/s.  The result is precise and highly reliable absolute position determination for linear motors in a diverse range of applications.  The TTK70 motor feedback system is rated for operation in temperatures ranging from -30…+85°C.  It carries the CE mark and is RoHS compliant.

The TTK70 consists of a read head and a magnetic tape featuring a magnetic code that forms the measuring scale – 10 mm wide, and up to 4,000 mm long.  The code consists of an incremental and an absolute track (twin-track tape).  Absolute position values are calculated by the read head first detecting the absolute starting position during start-up of the linear motor.  All further positions of the drive are determined via the incremental position on the magnetic track, i.e. sine/cosine signals.  The values are transmitted via the HIPERFACE® interface to the evaluation electronics of the linear drive – a market-standard method of communication that, for the first time ever via the TTK70, is now available for linear measuring systems.  The result is an interface standard for all common servo drives, that covers all applications, with only one signal type.

The robust metal housing of the read head offers IP65 protection, has two mounting holes designed for high tightening torques and, even with the plug connection, is hardly bigger than a matchbox – making it the smallest system of its kind.  Inside, the TTK70 features the latest in sensor and evaluation technology.  The sensor PCB, which is aligned with the measuring plane, is equipped with Hall sensors on two parallel tracks.  When installed their placement coincides with the position of an incremental and an absolute track on the magnetic tape.

SICK-STEGMANN is currently the only supplier worldwide that is able to offer to drive manufacturers both rotary and linear motor feedback systems with an integrated HIPERFACE® interface, popular in applications such as erosion machines, handling systems in semiconductor production, automatic assembly and placement machines, vertical lifting systems, pick and place applications in electronic production, or the food industry.

SICK STEGMANN, INC.
www.stegmann.com