Optical linear encoders

By virtually every measure of comparison, the new Airbus A380 Superjumbo, now under final construction in Europe, is the largest commercial aircraft in the world. Able to accommodate 555 passengers, and with a wingspan in excess of 260 feet, building the giant double-decker calls for some highly-innovative assembly techniques. One such technique is the use of several wing-panel assembly machines that depend upon Renishaw’s RG4 linear encoder systems for positioning accuracy. The four machines incorporate over 1 km of 40 micron scale tape, to determine the precise position of travelling ‘yokes’. These massive four-storey-high, 80 tonne structures straddle each skin panel in order to drill, tap and rivet stringers along the entire span.

News article: Renishaw on high with Airbus A380 Superjumbo

By virtually every measure of comparison, the new Airbus A380 Superjumbo, now under final construction in Europe, is the largest commercial aircraft in the world. Able to accommodate 555 passengers, and with a wingspan in excess of 260 feet, building the giant double-decker calls for some highly-innovative assembly techniques. One such technique is the use of several wing-panel assembly machines that depend upon Renishaw’s RG4 linear encoder systems for positioning accuracy. The four machines incorporate over 1 km of 40 micron scale tape, to determine the precise position of travelling ‘yokes’. These massive four-storey-high, 80 tonne structures straddle each skin panel in order to drill, tap and rivet stringers along the entire span.

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A revolutionary mobile phone antenna has been developed by UK company Sarantel, based on the company's patented PowerHelix™ technology. When other conductors or the user’s hand or head are next to the antenna, performance is completely unaffected, unlike conventional antennas. The unique manufacturing process uses a special purpose machine from Finnish company Citam Assembly Automatics Oy, fitted with Renishaw linear encoders to give very high accuracy.

News article: Breakthrough mobile technology relies on Renishaw encoders

A revolutionary mobile phone antenna has been developed by UK company Sarantel, based on the company's patented PowerHelix™ technology. When other conductors or the user’s hand or head are next to the antenna, performance is completely unaffected, unlike conventional antennas. The unique manufacturing process uses a special purpose machine from Finnish company Citam Assembly Automatics Oy, fitted with Renishaw linear encoders to give very high accuracy.

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MYDATA is one of the world’s leading developers and suppliers of pick and place machines for the electronic industry, set apart from other manufacturers by the flexibility and fast change-over their machines offer. Its new generation of large-board machines has broken new ground, with recently integrated Renishaw linear encoders being key to the performance.

News article: MYDATA take a different approach to the design of large-board SMT machines

MYDATA is one of the world’s leading developers and suppliers of pick and place machines for the electronic industry, set apart from other manufacturers by the flexibility and fast change-over their machines offer. Its new generation of large-board machines has broken new ground, with recently integrated Renishaw linear encoders being key to the performance.

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Special equipment has recently been installed at the University of Southampton by Ionoptika Ltd., for research into one of the most demanding of applications; micro-machining. Among the highly specialised suppliers involved is Renishaw, whose RG2 scale and RGH25 UHV readheads provide the crucial means of positioning for the nanometric movements required. People outside this discipline often find it hard to comprehend just how minute such work is – for example, Ionoptika’s full company logo can be etched 20 μm wide on a typical metallic screen mask.

News article: Renishaw scales facilitate micro-machining research

Special equipment has recently been installed at the University of Southampton by Ionoptika Ltd., for research into one of the most demanding of applications; micro-machining. Among the highly specialised suppliers involved is Renishaw, whose RG2 scale and RGH25 UHV readheads provide the crucial means of positioning for the nanometric movements required. People outside this discipline often find it hard to comprehend just how minute such work is – for example, Ionoptika’s full company logo can be etched 20 μm wide on a typical metallic screen mask.

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