An enclosed optical encoder houses the encoder's electronics and optics within a sealed unit that is attached to a readhead body. Both the sealed optical unit and the encoder's scale are further protected within a sealed enclosure. This design provides high resistance to the ingress of liquids and solid debris contaminants.

The enclosed linear encoder features an extruded enclosure with longitudinally attached interlocking lip seals and sealed end caps. The readhead body is joined to a sealed optical unit by a blade, which travels through the lip seals along the length of the encoder. Linear axis movement causes the readhead and optics to traverse the encoder's absolute scale (which is fixed to the inside of the enclosure), without mechanical contact.

The encoder's scale features an absolute scale code of full-width contrasting lines, which is imaged via a lens onto a detector array inside the readhead. Linear position measurements, output in digital form, are compatible with a range of industry standard serial communications protocols.

A leader in the field of high performance homodyne interferometric laser encoders.

Renishaw has almost 25 years of experience in providing interferometry based laser encoder solutions to OEM machine builders, ranging from large aerospace centres through to the high precision semiconductor industry.

Fibre optic laser encoders

The RLE system is a unique, advanced homodyne laser interferometer system specifically designed for position feedback applications.

Each RLE system consists of an RLU laser unit and one or two RLD10 detector heads, the model of which is dependent upon the requirements of the specific application.

Long range laser encoders

The Renishaw HS20 laser head, in combination with an external linear optics kit, forms a non-contact interferometric laser encoder system for long axis, high accuracy linear position feedback applications.

Through our associate company RLS d.o.o., we produce a range of robust magnetic rotary and linear motion sensors to meet growing global market demands.

Robust encoders for harsh environments

Designed for use in applications such as:

• industrial automation and assembly systems
• metalworking
• stone-cutting, sawing
• textiles
• plastics processing,
• woodworking
• packaging
• electronic chip / board production

An optical encoder is an electromechanical device which produces an electrical signal output proportional to the linear displacement of a linear guide or the angular position of an input shaft.

Open encoders are exposed and feature no external integrated enclosure. The advantages of open optical encoders include the effective elimination of backlash, shaft wind-up (torsion) and other mechanical hysteresis errors.

A rotary open optical encoder consists of a position measurement readhead and an accurate rotary scale marked either on the periphery of a ring or on the face of a disc.

The readhead measures position by optically sensing the regularly-spaced scale markings and outputs this information as an analogue or digital signal.

The signal is subsequently converted into a position reading by a digital readout (DRO) or motion controller.