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QUANTiC™ incremental encoder system with RKLC40-S linear and partial arc scale

Features

  • Operating rideheight tolerance ±0.3 mm
  • Digital or analogue output direct from the readhead
  • Readhead size: 35 x 13.5 x 10 mm
  • Resolutions to 50 nm
  • Speed up to 24 m/s
  • Excellent dirt immunity
  • Optical IN‑TRAC™ reference mark

Benefits

  • Narrow 6 mm wide scale suitable for space limited applications
  • Suitable for partial arc measurement
  • Substrate mastered scale giving improved metrological performance
  • Easy installation
  • No separate interface required
  • Advanced Diagnostic Tool
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What is QUANTiC?

The QUANTiC encoder series is Renishaw's incremental open optical encoder with digital or analogue output options, good metrology, high speed performance, and easy installation and set-up. Diagnostic information can be accessed by using the optional Advanced Diagnostic Tool ADTi‑100 and ADT View software during installation or for in‑field diagnostics and fault finding. Speeds up to 24 m/s can be achieved to meet the most demanding motion control requirements. The QUANTiC encoder offers resolutions down to 50 nm and a wide range of configurations, making optimisation easy and simple. Dynamic signal processing gives improved signal stability to achieve superior performance from your motion control system.

What is RKLC40-S scale?

RKLC40-S is a narrow, low profile stainless steel tape scale featuring 40 µm pitch incremental graduations and IN-TRAC customer selectable reference marks. There are two levels of accuracy - standard with ±15 µm/m and high accuracy with ±5 µm/m - and it is available in lengths up to 20 metres (> 20 m on request). The RKLC40-S is mastered to the machine substrate giving improved metrological performance when the scale ends are rigidly fixed to the substrate.

The flexible RKLC40-S scale is also suitable for partial arc measurement where the small cross-sectional area allows it to be wrapped around a drum, shaft or arc with a minimum radius of 26 mm.

Why choose this encoder system?

Easy installation

In OEM applications, machine build time is critical, as time saved in component installation allows shorter manufacturing lead times and ultimately higher profitability. The QUANTiC encoder series helps to fulfil this need with its wide set-up tolerances for an incremental product (yaw tolerance ±0.9° and rideheight tolerance ±0.2 mm) and integrated set-up LED on the readhead. With improved installation tolerances, production will benefit from a faster installation process, reduced overheads and an increase in throughput.

All purpose digital and analogue encoder system

The QUANTiC encoder is available with industry-standard 1 Vpp analogue output for easy integration into customers' interpolation electronics or with high speed digital interpolation built into the readhead. The digital output configurations available allow the user to optimise the speed and resolution of their system depending on their motion control requirements. Furthermore, the QUANTiC readhead works with both linear and rotary (angle) scales across a range of accuracies. It is quick and easy to install, making it particularly suitable for volume production.

Narrow, robust and versatile scale

RKLC is a robust, 6 mm wide stainless steel encoder tape scale with a thickness of 0.15 mm. This allows the scale, when rigidly fixed to a machine axis, to become ‘mastered' to the machine substrate, matching its thermal expansion coefficient and behaviour. Differential movement between the scale and the machine is thus minimised.

RKLC partial arc encoder scales

RKLC encoder scales can be conveniently cut to required length and mounted on a simple cylindrical substrate with no requirement for complex mounting features or tightly toleranced alignment surfaces.

Optional Advanced Diagnostic Tool ADTi-100

Advanced Diagnostic Tool ADTi-100

The QUANTiC encoder system is compatible with the Advanced Diagnostic Tool ADTi-100 and ADT View software. They provide comprehensive real-time encoder data feedback to aid more challenging installations and diagnostics. The intuitive software interface can be used for:

  • Remote calibration
  • Signal optimisation over the entire axis length
  • Readhead pitch indication
  • Limit and reference mark indication
  • Readout of encoder position (relative to the scale)
  • Monitoring the velocity against time graph
  • Exporting and saving data

Technical specifications

Measuring standard

Narrow stainless steel tape scale with self-adhesive backing tape, for mounting directly to a substrate

Suitable for partial arc applications (minimum radius for partial arc: 26 mm)

Readhead size (LxWxH)

35 mm x 13.5 mm x 10 mm

Scale pitch

40 μm

Coefficient of thermal expansion at 20 °C

Linear: matched to substrate material when scale ends are fitted with end clamps
Partial arc: 10.1 ±0.2 μm/m/°C

Accuracy grade at 20 °C

40 µm (high accuracy): ±5 µm/m
40 μm: ±15 μm/m

Reference mark

IN-TRAC reference marks directly embedded in the RKLC-S

Selector magnet(s) used to identify chosen reference mark

Limit switches

Dual limits

Scale length

Up to 20 m (> 20 m on request)

Scale form (H x W)0.15 mm x 6 mm including adhesive

Maximum speed

Analogue

Digital

See data sheet for details

Up to 20 m/s

Up to 24 m/s

Sub-Divisional Error (SDE)

Analogue

Digital


Typically < ±120 nm

Typically < ±80 nm

Dynamic signal control

Real time signal conditioning including Auto Gain Control (AGC), Auto Balance Control (ABC) and Auto Offset Control (AOC) for optimised performance across a range of operating conditions

Incremental signals

Analogue

Digital


1 Vpp (40 µm)

RS422 (10 μm to 50 nm)

Electrical connection

0.2 m, 0.5 m, 1 m, 1.5 m, 2 m and 3 m cable lengths with D-type connectors (9 and 15 pin) or circular in-line connector (12 pin)

0.5 m, 1 m, 3 m cable lengths with 14-way JST connector

Power supply

Analogue

Digital

5 V -5%/+10%

Typically 150 mA fully terminated

Typically 200 mA fully terminated

Vibration (operating)

100 m/s2 max at 55 Hz to 2 000 Hz, 3 axes

Shock (operating)

500 m/s2, 11 ms, ½ sine, 3 axes

Operating temperature

0 °C to +70 °C

Sealing

IP40

Refer to data sheet for full details.