Renishaw launches next generation digital encoder

Renishaw’s new VIONiC™ series optical encoder is an ultra-high accuracy, compact all-in-one digital encoder family. Designed for the most demanding motion control applications, this development brings together Renishaw’s renowned filtering optics with a brand new custom interpolation and monitoring ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) that enhances dynamic signal processing and improves signal stability. This achievement has allowed Renishaw to create its highest performance incremental encoder system so far, at the same time combining all necessary interpolation and digital signal processing inside the readhead to eliminate the requirement for additional external interfaces.

The VIONiC series reduces overall system size to the minimum achievable for a high-performance system, while delivering class-leading performance in terms of cyclic error, jitter and accuracy. Users can choose between two VIONiC readhead variants. Standard VIONiC features a Sub-Divisional Error (SDE) of less than ±30 nm, a range of available resolutions from 5 µm to 20 nm, and speeds beyond 12 m/sec. Alternatively for the most demanding performance requirements, users can select VIONiCplus with best-in-class SDE to less than ±10 nm, low jitter to 1.3 nm RMS and resolutions from 100 nm down to 2.5 nm. Low SDE encoders are essential to minimize velocity ripple, which is important in constant-velocity applications such as laser scanning. 

VIONiC series encoders are available with the same linear and rotary (angle) scale ranges as the TONiC™ series, such that existing users can choose to install VIONiC as a drop-in replacement. Available scale types include metal tape, spar, and rotary rings (including ultra-high accuracy REXM). All VIONiC scales come with customer selectable IN-TRAC™ reference marks embedded in the incremental channel and dual-limit switches in the case of linear scales.

Ease of set-up and calibration is supported by an Advanced Diagnostic Tool (ADT), which includes user software that allows control and monitoring of VIONiC’s set-up and calibration routines. New software features include; enhanced graphics, automatically generated plots of signal strength vs. position, Lissajous plots, DRO output, and readhead pitch indication. This set-up tool is ideal for factory production-line installation as it allows remote, advanced calibration features.

VIONiC has CE approval and is manufactured by Renishaw, using strict quality controlled processes that are certified to ISO 9001:2008, and, like all Renishaw encoders, is backed by a responsive global sales and support network.

For additional information, visit www.renishaw.com.