Skip navigation

TONiC™ UHV incremental encoder system with RELM20 linear scale

Features

  • Readhead size: 35 x 13.5 x 10 mm
  • Resolutions to 1 nm
  • Speed up to 10 m/s
  • Analogue or digital outputs
  • Ultra-low Sub-Divisional Error (SDE): typically < ±30 nm
  • Optical IN-TRAC™ reference mark

Benefits

  • Ultra-High Vacuum (UHV)
  • Very high accuracy combined with near zero thermal expansion
  • Super-compact encoder with dynamic signal conditioning for improved motion control
  • Diagnostic kit to assist challenging installations and aid system optimisation
Transparent patch for website banners

What is TONiC UHV?

TONiC UHV brings Renishaw's compact, non-contact encoder system to Ultra-High Vacuum applications offering customers improved motion control.

TONiC offers speeds up to 10 m/s and, combined with the Ti interface, resolutions down to 1 nm for both linear and rotary applications. TONiC systems are quick and simple to install with wide set-up tolerances and calibration at the push of a button. TONiC's dynamic signal processing gives improved signal stability with ultra-low Sub-Divisional Error of typically < ±30 nm to help realise superior motion control performance.

What is RELM20 scale?

RELM20 is a spar scale manufactured from ZeroMet™, a low expansion nickel/iron alloy, featuring a 20 µm pitch.
It is comparable to fine pitch glass scales and offers a total accuracy (including slope and linearity) better than ±1 µm over a 1.5 m length. ZeroMet has a coefficient of thermal expansion of 0.75 ±0.35 μm/m/°C at 20 °C.
System designers can choose between specially formulated UHV compatible adhesive tape or mechanical clips to suit mounting requirements. Both mounting methods allow for independent thermal expansion to that of the substrate.

Why choose this encoder system?

Ultra-High Vacuum (UHV)

TONiC UHV readheads take standard TONiC outstanding performance and deliver it in a readhead that has been designed and constructed using UHV compatible materials and processes making it suitable for UHV conditions down to 10 -10 Torr.
The range of TONiC UHV encoders and accessories are constructed from vacuum-compatible materials and adhesives to give low outgassing rates and proven clean residual gas analysis (RGA) making them suitable for many applications including wafer handling / testing, scientific instruments, spectroscopy, vacuum inspection equipment and many more.

Ease of handling

The RELM20 ZeroMet low thermal expansion scale has a much smaller cross section than typical glass scales and allows easier handling and installation without risk of breakage, making it ideal for the most demanding precision applications.

Exceptional metrology

The TONiC encoder features Renishaw's market-proven filtering optics and advanced signal processing. Auto Gain Control (AGC) and Auto Offset Control (AOC) technologies reduce analogue signal noise and digital jitter within the readhead.

TONiC encoders deliver exceptionally low signal output jitter of <±0.5 nm RMS and low Sub-Divisional Error (SDE) of <±30 nm, enabling systems to hold position better and generate less heat in linear motor applications. Low jitter also enables smoother velocity control in high-precision applications operating at low speeds.

Flexible configuration

The TONiC series offers a variety of external interfaces that can be configured to meet the speed and resolution requirements of the application. With late-stage integration and configuration of the external interface, one versatile TONiC readhead offers many options for end user customisation.

TONiC interface options enable digital, analogue, or dual output of both digital and analogue signals. The TD (dual resolution) interface offers selectable dual-resolution output, and a DPI interface is also available for wide-format printing applications. The flexibility of TONiC encoder configuration allows OEMs to benefit from superior motion control and high throughput in a wide range of applications.

Interface options

TD (dual resolution) interface

  • Selectable dual-resolutions quadrature output. Ti interface (square)
  • Ideal for applications that require high speed movement combined with finer precision motion.

DOP (dual output) interface

  • Provides simultaneous digital quadrature and 1 Vpp signals.
  • Designed for applications requiring one or more operations to be synchronised with a motion axis.TONiC Dual Output (DOP) interface

Optional diagnostic kit

TONiC™ diagnostic kit (software and hardware)

TONiC diagnostic software can be used to optimise the installation of TONiC encoders and provide a quick and comprehensive system calibration. The software must be used in conjunction with the TONiC diagnostic hardware which can be purchased from Renishaw using part number A-9411-0011. The hardware is connected to the PC via the USB cable (provided in the kit) or in-line with the customers' electronics.

Find out all about the TONiC diagnostic kit.

Technical specifications

Measuring standard

RELM20: high accuracy ZeroMet spar scale with mid reference mark

Also available with end reference mark as RELE20

Readhead size (LxWxH)

35 mm x 13.5 mm x 10 mm

Scale pitch

20 μm

Coefficient of thermal expansion at 20 °C

0.75 ±0.35 μm/m/°C

Accuracy grade at 20 °C

Certified to ±1 μm, calibration traceable to international standards

Reference mark

IN-TRAC reference mark

Various reference mark position options, see data sheet for details

Limit switches

Dual or single limits (select at time of order)

Scale length

20 mm to 1.5 m

Maximum speed

Analogue

Digital

(See data sheet for details)

Up to 10 m/s at -3 dB

Up to 10 m/s

Sub-Divisional Error (SDE)

Typically < ±30 nm

Dynamic signal control

Real time signal conditioning including Auto Gain Control (AGC) and Auto Offset Control (AOC) for optimised performance during operation

Incremental signals

Analogue

Digital


1 Vpp (20 μm period)

Resolutions from 5 μm to 1 nm

Electrical connection

0.5 m, 1 m, 1.5 m, 3 m, 5 m and 10 m cable lengths with mini connector (connects direct to TONiC interface)

Power supply

5 V ±10%, < 100 mA (analogue system), < 200 mA (digital systems) (unterminated)

Readhead power consumption< 100 mA

Vibration (operating)

100 m/s2 max @ 55 Hz to 2 000 Hz

Shock (non-operating)

1 000 m/s2, 6 ms, ½ sine

Operating temperature (system)

0 °C to +70 °C

Bake-out temperature (non-operating)

120 °C (Readhead and scale only)

Sealing

Readhead: IP20

Interface: IP20

Cable construction

Tinned copper braided single screen, FEP core insulation

Refer to data sheets for full details.