No matter how excellent the design, a robot still relies on the components used. Position encoders are one of the key components for robot's position, orientation and motion control.
RLS non-contact magnetic encoders offer outstanding performance, system safety and stability for robotic applications, such as motor feedback, joint position control, linear motion sensing, gripper and force feedback. The encoders come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes allowing a more flexible system design. Thanks to non-contact magnetic encoder technology RLS sensors bring reliable operation for years to come.
A range of high-speed linear magnetic encoders designed for use in harsh environments, such as woodworking, stone-cutting, sawing, metalworking, textiles, packaging, plastics processing, automation and assembly systems, laser/flame/water-jet cutting, electronic chip/board production etc. The linear magnetic encoder system consists of a readhead and self-adhesive magnetic scale. As the readhead moves along the scale it detects the magnetic signature of the magnetised scale and processes these signals to the required output.
Each magnetic encoder contains an integrated circuit that senses the angular position. The IC senses the angular position of a permanent magnet placed above it. The permanent magnet is diametrically polarized and of cylindrical shape. Hall sensor technology detects the magnetic flux density distribution at the surface of the silicon. Hall sensors placed in a circular array around the center of the IC deliver a voltage representation of magnetic field distribution. The sine and cosine voltage outputs from the sensor array vary with magnet position. The sine and cosine signals are then converted to absolute angle position with a fast flash interpolator. This basic sensing technology can then be combined with further electronics to produce a wide range of output formats. Resolutions of up to 13 bit absolute (8192 counts per revolution incremental) are achieved with internal interpolation. The ability of the encoder system to operate with a gap between the magnetic actuator and the encoder chip allows its incorporation into designs that need isolation of the moving elements.
The robust RLS magnetic rings consist of a vulcanised elastoferrite layer securely attached to a steel hub. They are compatible with RLS standard LM family or component level RoLin readheads, which bring reliable solutions to surveilance, transportation, industrial automation, renewable energy and other tough, hard-working motion control applications.
RLS announces the launch of high performance miniature encoder sensors for embedded OEM motion control applications. With their miniature and lightweight design they are perfect for medical applications, optics positioning, robot control, 3D printers, gimbals and hand held devices. The miniature sensors come in different shapes and offer linear and rotary performances at resolutions to 0.244 μm for linear and to 753,664 cpr for rotary applications. The encoders consist of a miniature sensor and a magnetic scale or a ring. The sensors are available either in a potted housing or as PCB board level sensors. The position information is output in incremental quadrature TTL or RS422 and parallel in SSI and BiSS-C formats with the option of a unique or periodic reference mark. The proven RLS non-contact sensing technology brings high reliability and performance in harsh applications.
