RCU10 real-time quadrature compensator

When any laser interferometer system is used in a non-vacuum environment, some form of environmental compensation is required to maintain accuracy under varying environmental conditions. The principle of interferometry is dependent on the wavelength of the laser light. A figure which fractionally varies depending on the refractive index of the air through which it travels.

Environmental changes of ±1 °C in air temperature, ±3.3 mbar in air pressure, or 50% variance in relative humidity would generate a 1 ppm variance in laser wavelength and resulting measurements.

To maintain accuracy over a range of environmental conditions, the RLE laser encoder or HS20 long range laser encoder should be used in combination with the RCU10 compensator which compensates for the air refractive index changes due to variations in the ambience environment.

The RCU10 compensator uses environmental sensors to monitor a machine's ambient environment and provides real-time compensation of the position feedback signals. The input and output parameters are configured with the Renishaw Configuration Software (RCU-CS).

Features and benefits

• Accuracy - refractive index compensation for laser encoders using air pressure and temperature sensors, improves accuracy to within ±1 ppm.
• Yield enhancement - thermal expansion compensation of workpiece and machine structures, using material temperature sensors, dramatically improves process repeatability.
• Flexibility - RCU10 can also be used for compensation with many other laser and scale encoders that provide digital quadrature feedback signals.

Configuring RCU10 systems

The following options should be considered when defining your RCU10 system:

• RCU10 compensation units are available with or without an integral pressure sensor (RCU10-PX-XX and RCU10-XX-XX respectively)
• For multi-axis systems, up to six RCU10s can be linked via a high-speed serial communications link. If used as part of a multi-axis system, only one RCU10-PX-XX is required.
• Air temperature sensors
• Material temperature sensors

Use our RCU10 part number generator to identify the system suitable for your application which can be used to request a quotation or place an order.

Software download