VIONiC™ encoder series
The VIONiC encoder series is Renishaw's highest performing incremental optical encoder. It provides direct digital position feedback with superior metrology, fast speeds and high reliability. The VIONiC readhead integrates Renishaw's market proven filtering optics and advanced interpolation technology. This provides ultra‑low Sub-Divisional Error (SDE), excellent dirt immunity, and eliminates the need for additional adaptors or separate interfaces.
VIONiC readheads are compatible with a wide range of linear, partial arc and rotary scales, from low expansion ZeroMet, to high accuracy REXM rings. This makes it a versatile product suitable for a wide variety of applications, where metrology cannot be compromised.
Designed with intuitive auto calibration mode, VIONiC readheads are easy to install. An optional Advanced Diagnostic Tool ADTi-100 is available for real‑time encoder data feedback during installation or for in-field diagnostics.
New!
The VIONiC encoder is now available in resolutions down to 2.5 nm with enhanced SDE across the product range.
Key features
Speed
| Clocked output option (MHz) | Maximum speed (m/s) | Minimum edge separation* (ns) | |||||||||||
| D (5 μm) | X (1 μm) | Z (0.5 μm) | W (0.2 μm) | Y (0.1 μm) | H (50 nm) | M (40 nm) | P (25 nm) | I (20 nm) | O (10 nm) | Q (5 nm) | R (2.5 nm) | ||
| 50 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 7.25 | 3.63 | 1.81 | 1.45 | 0.906 | 0.725 | 0.363 | 0.181 | 0.091 | 25.3 |
| 40 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 5.80 | 2.90 | 1.45 | 1.16 | 0.725 | 0.580 | 0.290 | 0.145 | 0.073 | 31.8 |
| 25 | 12 | 12 | 9.06 | 3.63 | 1.81 | 0.906 | 0.725 | 0.453 | 0.363 | 0.181 | 0.091 | 0.045 | 51.2 |
| 20 | 12 | 12 | 8.06 | 3.22 | 1.61 | 0.806 | 0.645 | 0.403 | 0.322 | 0.161 | 0.081 | 0.040 | 57.7 |
| 12 | 12 | 10.36 | 5.18 | 2.07 | 1.04 | 0.518 | 0.414 | 0.259 | 0.207 | 0.104 | 0.052 | 0.026 | 90.2 |
| 10 | 12 | 8.53 | 4.27 | 1.71 | 0.850 | 0.427 | 0.341 | 0.213 | 0.171 | 0.085 | 0.043 | 0.021 | 110 |
| 08 | 12 | 6.91 | 3.45 | 1.38 | 0.690 | 0.345 | 0.276 | 0.173 | 0.138 | 0.069 | 0.035 | 0.017 | 136 |
| 06 | 12 | 5.37 | 2.69 | 1.07 | 0.540 | 0.269 | 0.215 | 0.134 | 0.107 | 0.054 | 0.027 | 0.013 | 175 |
| 04 | 12 | 3.63 | 1.81 | 0.730 | 0.360 | 0.181 | 0.145 | 0.091 | 0.073 | 0.036 | 0.018 | 0.009 | 259 |
| 01 | 4.53 | 0.910 | 0.450 | 0.180 | 0.090 | 0.045 | 0.036 | 0.023 | 0.018 | 0.009 | 0.005 | 0.002 | 1038 |
*For a readhead with a 1 m cable
Ultra-low Sub-Divisional Error (SDE)
Interpolated error – 10 error cycles
X-axis: Readhead position (mm)
Y-axis: Error (nm)
Scale options
- Linear scales are used where straight-line position information is needed - usually X, Y or Z axes.
- Rotary scales are used for angular position information and the motion control of rotating elements.
- Partial arc scales are used for measuring a partial arc of rotation by wrapping them around drums, shafts or arcs.
Stainless steel tape with track option
Scale name | Accuracy | Scale pitch | Coefficient of thermal expansion at 20 °C | Supplied length | Readhead compatibility |
RTLC20 with optional FASTRACK™ | ±5 µm/m | 20 µm | 10.1 ±0.2 µm/m/°C | Up to 10 m (>10 m on request) | VIONiC |
Narrow stainless steel tape scale
Scale name | Accuracy | Scale pitch | Coefficient of thermal expansion | Supplied length | Readhead compatibility |
RKLC20-S  | ±5 μm/m | 20 µm | Matched to substrate material when scale ends are fixed with end clamps | Up to 20 m (>20 m on request) |
ZeroMet™ spar
Scale name | Accuracy | Scale pitch | Coefficient of thermal expansion at 20 °C | Supplied length | Readhead compatibility |
RELM20/RELE20  | ±1 µm for up to 1 m, then ±1 µm/m | 20 µm | 0.75 ±0.35 µm/m/°C | Up to 1.5 m | VIONiC |
Stainless steel spar
| Scale name | Accuracy | Scale pitch | Coefficient of thermal expansion at 20 °C | Supplied length | Readhead compatibility |
RSLM20/RSLE20/RSLC20 | ±1.5 µm up to 1 m, ±2.25 µm up to 2 m, ±3 µm up to 3 m, ±4 µm up to 5 m | 20 µm | 10.1 ±0.2 µm/m/°C | Up to 5 m |
Narrow stainless steel partial arc tape
Scale name | Accuracy | Scale pitch | Coefficient of thermal expansion | Supplied length | Readhead compatibility |
RKLC-S, RKLR-S  | 20 μm: ±5 μm/m 40 μm: ±15 μm/m | 20 µm/40 µm | Matched to substrate material when scale ends are fixed with end clamps | Up to 20 m (>20 m on request) |
Stainless steel ring
Scale name | Graduation accuracy (depending on ring diameter) | Scale pitch | Coefficient of thermal expansion at 20 °C | Ring diameter | Readhead compatibility |
RESM20/REST20  | ±3.97 to ±0.38 arc seconds | 20 µm | 15.5 ±0.5 µm/m/°C | 52 to 550 mm | VIONiC |
Ultra-high accuracy stainless steel ring
| Scale name | Installed accuracy (depending on ring diameter) | Scale pitch | Coefficient of thermal expansion at 20 °C | Ring diameter | Readhead compatibility |
REXM20/REXT20  | (≥100 mm diameter) ±1 arc second (75 mm diameter) ±1.5 arc seconds (≤57 mm diameter) ±2 arc seconds | 20 µm | 15.5 ±0.5 µm/m/°C | 52 to 417 mm | VIONiC |
Optional Advanced Diagnostic Tool ADTi-100
The VIONiC 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
- Digital readout of encoder position (relative to the scale)
- Monitoring the velocity against time graph
- Exporting and saving data