Next generation of digital encoder

Designed for the most demanding of motion control applications, this development brings together Renishaw's filtering optics with a new custom interpolation and monitoring ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) that enhances dynamic signal processing and improves signal stability.

This achievement has allowed Renishaw to create its highest performance incremental encoder system so far, at the same time combining all necessary interpolation and digital signal processing inside the readhead to eliminate the requirement for additional external interfaces.

Renishaw says the VIONiC range has been designed to reduce overall system size, whilst delivering class-leading performance in terms of cyclic error, jitter and accuracy. Customers can choose between two VIONiC readhead variants. The standard VIONiC readhead features a Sub-Divisional Error (SDE) of <±30 nm, a range of available resolutions from 5µm to 20nm, and speeds beyond 12m/s. Alternatively for the most demanding performance requirements, customers can select VIONiCplus with SDE to <±10nm, low jitter to 1.6nm RMS and resolutions from 100nm down to 2.5nm. Low SDE encoders are essential to minimise velocity ripple, which is important in constant-velocity applications such as laser scanning.

VIONiC series encoders are available with the same linear and rotary (angle) scale ranges as the TONiC series, such that existing customers may choose to install VIONiC as a drop-in replacement. Available scale types include metal tape, spar, and rotary rings (including ultra-high accuracy REXM). All VIONiC scales come with customer selectable IN-TRAC reference marks embedded in the incremental channel and dual-limit switches in the case of linear scales.