Linear encoder technology is the industry standard and is preferred worldwide for position feedback. For nearly four decades, ANILAM's precision linear encoder technology has proven its superior reliability through consistent accuracy and durability.
Glass is an inherently stable material that resists changes in size, shape or density due to variations in temperature or humidity. This stability allows for the generation of numerous ultra-fine line patterns; providing ANILAM precision linear encoders with exceptional accuracy down to ±1.5µm (.00006").
ANILAM linear encoders are available in travel lengths from 1"-773" and in resolutions from 0.5µm (.00002") to 10µm (.0005").
ANILAM has a linear encoder that fits your needs. Choose from the
SENC 50,
SENC 150,
and SENC 125 precision linear encoders to give you the CLEAR CHOICE in feedback systems.
How They Work
An ANILAM precision linear encoder consists of an optical-quality glass scale and a photoelectronic reading head. The reading head slides along the glass scale illuminating a precision chrome line pattern. This pattern is recognized by the photodetectors, which generate an electronic signal.
You can illustrate this process yourself with two hair combs. If you were to take two combs and lay them one on top of the other in front of a light source, and then move them back and forth, you would see a wavy pattern similar to that which the encoder's light receptors detect.
However, because your eyes aren't as acute as electronic receptors, conditions like rain or fog would obscure your vision. Photodetectors, however, being much more sensitive, can detect the more intense infrared light through liquid contaminates, such as coolant, or oil.
Manufacturing Process
To produce an ANILAM precision linear encoder, a photographic process is used to place an extremely precise pattern of chrome lines and spaces on glass.
Making this possible is ANILAM's unique manufacturing facility featuring a 10,000 square foot clean room and a one-of-a-kind, in the United States, scale replication process. Vibration isolated equipment and a Class 100 clean room environment, maintained with precision temperature control at 20°C ± .02°, are all computer controlled to ensure process integrity. Repeatable, accuracy and quality are the products of this innovation.
Accuracy and Resolution
Only with ANILAM's precision linear encoder technology can you be assured that the encoder on your machine tool is checking its
actual position thousands of times in every inch of travel. An ANILAM 1µm precision linear encoder has 1,270 accurately placed chrome lines per inch, each of which a photoelectric reading head detects as it slides across the glass. This gives ANILAM's precision linear encoders a fundamental measuring interval 10 times finer than the nearest alternative encoder technology.
The ability of ANILAM precision linear encoders to continuously measure accurate positions is due to the excellent qualities of the glass itself. Glass is an inherently stable material that resists changes in size, shape or density due to temperature variations. This stability allows for the generation of numerous ultra-fine line patterns; providing ANILAM precision linear encoder with exceptional accuracy for travel lengths from 1" - 120" in resolutions from 10µm to 0.5µm.
Durability and Reliability
Another benefit of using ANILAM precision linear encoders is that they can withstand a variety of harsh conditions that may exist in machine shop environments - extremes of temperature, contamination, and humidity. Every ANILAM design undergoes extensive qualifications testing to ensure that it meets or exceeds customer expectations.
Encoder optics are enclosed in an aluminum housing with die cast, sealed end caps, which makes them virtually unbreakable during standard machine tool usage. Less than a fraction of one percent of one million ANILAM precision linear encoders currently in machine shop environments, have been returned due to breakage.
To enhance system performance and durability, the aluminum housing is protected from the environment by a recessed, highly chemical resistant, interlocking lipseal to further prevent the entry of metal chips and other contaminants. A nickel-plated armor cable offers additional protection and allows for a tighter bend radius. ANILAM precision linear encoders provide long-lasting operation over thousands of miles of movement.
ANILAM also applies a conformal coating that seals the wires and circuitry inside the reading head, leaving little chance for failure.
Calibration and Certification
Every ANILAM precision linear encoder is tested for performance and accuracy before it's shipped. As the last step of the manufacturing process, a calibration test is performed in an environment that is temperature controlled to within ± 0.1°C, using measuring equipment accurate to within 0.1µm/meter. A graph of the accuracy performance is plotted and included with each and every ANILAM precision linear encoder.
Advanced Technology
ANILAM readout systems include Position-Trac™, a unique feature that answers the need for battery backup by enabling the operator to easily, quickly and accurately re-establish workpiece zero after power loss. Position-Trac™ works by using a very precise distance encrypted (coded) fiducial trigger output (FTO) line pattern that gets placed onto the glass scale. Our new readouts then use proprietary software to de-code the line pattern. This enables the operator to accurately re-establish zero from any position, significantly reducing time consuming set ups.
