Interface diversity standardizes drives
Every application requires highly specific encoders capable of fulfilling widely varying requirements. Accuracy and reliability are not the only ones. For machine and equipment manufacturers, another crucial factor for any rotary, angle, or linear encoder is its mechanical and electronic connectivity. Connectivity allows the manufacturer to standardize the design of his drive solutions and reduce the number of motor variants while not limiting the breadth of potential applications.
Interface diversity: always be well connected
HEIDENHAIN offers a wide range of encoders for accurate and highly accurate applications. This is because, regardless of the industry in which HEIDENHAIN products are used, simple connection options should always be available for every application. With artificial intelligence increasingly being used in factory automation, connections between individual components and within complex networks are extremely important. This diversity of interfaces in various combinations allows machine manufacturers to select the encoder best suited to their drive solutions.
Electronic connectivity: use data to increase equipment availability
When it comes to electronic connectivity, trouble-free communication with the machine or equipment controller is a crucial criterion in the selection of an encoder. But this goes beyond the reliable and correct transmission of position data. Of considerable importance is also the transfer of additional information, such as for commissioning, monitoring, and diagnostics. By contributing to the avoidance of machine downtime and reducing the number of maintenance cycles, these data can increase equipment availability and simplify process planning.Position encoders from HEIDENHAIN are available for this purpose, with a wide variety of interfaces:
HEIDENHAIN EnDat
Siemens DRIVE-CLiQ*
Fanuc Serial Interface
Mitsubishi High Speed Interface
Panasonic Serial Interface
Yaskawa Serial Interface
SSI
Profinet*
1 VPP
TTL
HTL
And many more
*) DRIVE-CLiQ is a registered trademark of Siemens AG. PROFINET is a registered trademark of PROFIBUS and PROFINET International (PI).
Encoder data and more: simplify commissioning and function monitoring
A digital interface for position data also enables the transmission of the “electronic ID label,” which contains data for the commissioning of the encoder and the drive. Digital interfaces also transmit additional information such as the temperature of the motor winding or diagnostics data—information that is dependent on the interface. For example, the EnDat 2.2 interface makes it possible to quickly and reliably provide information about the functional condition of the position encoder during operation, as part of regular maintenance, or in the event of a malfunction. Maintenance measures can then be derived from this information. This is a criticalrequirementof intelligentnetworks.
Mounting compatibility: flexibly choose accuracy
Thanks to the mechanical and electrical compatibility of many HEIDENHAIN encoders, a machine and equipment manufacturer can always select the optimal solution for his specific control requirements from the HEIDENHAIN product program. He can thus keep the number of motor variants to a minimum without limiting the breadth of potential applications. HEIDENHAIN solutions include different shaft diameters and mounting flange variants for rotary and angle encoders, scale tape solutions for extremely large radii or long measuring distances, and encoders with mechanically safe connections.
Mounting compatibility is also available for many encoders with different measuring principles. For example, most HEIDENHAIN encoder versions with incremental and absolute measured-value acquisition are available with mounting compatibility. These absolute rotary encoders are further subdivided into singleturn and multiturn variants with gears or battery buffer for the counting of complete revolutions.
Match the graduation carrier to the application
HEIDENHAIN linear encoders from the LIDA series are available with various graduation carriers (steel, glass, or glass ceramic) and a corresponding variety of measuring accuracies. Depending on the variant, these encoders measure the position at accuracy grades ranging from ±15 µm (steel) to ±1 µm (glass ceramic). The various mounting options of the individual designs ensure versatile usage in highly diverse applications.
Exclude errors with functional safety
Functional safety is playing an increasingly important role in the field of machine tool manufacturing and artificial intelligence. For encoders, this means that position data must always be correctly and precisely ascertained and transmitted to the machine control. Other important aspects of functional safety include encoder diagnostics and mechanical fault exclusion. Encoders from HEIDENHAIN feature user-friendly solutions for a wide range of safety-related applications.
The safety levels
In conjunction with a safe control, HEIDENHAIN encoders satisfy all of the requirements for safety-related applications in conformity with SIL 2 (as per EN 61508) or Performance Level “d” (as per EN ISO 13849).
When properly implemented in the subsequent electronics, some encoders are also suitable for systems in conformity with SIL 3 (as per EN 61508) or Performance Level “e” (as per EN ISO 13849).
Safety, system monitoring, and function reserve: three’s the charm
Thanks to serial interfaces, HEIDENHAIN encoders also provide complete information for commissioning, monitoring, and diagnostics. This information supports the analysis of complex and intelligent machines, thereby making an important contribution to the topic of Industry 4.0. HEIDENHAIN makes diagnostics much easier through the use of valuation numbers, which enable the assessment of an encoder’s function reserve. The high level of expertise formerly required for the evaluation of encoder signals is no longer necessary. This design feature is also available with other interfaces besides EnDat.
Encoder diagnostics: how HEIDENHAIN is unique
HEIDENHAIN is the only encoder manufacturer to offer a diagnostic tool for all of its encoders with absolute and incremental interfaces: the adjusting and testing package consisting of the PWM 21 and the ATS software. With this package, the condition of the encoder can be tested during machine operation (online diagnostics during active operation of the axis) and as part of mounting or repair work (offline diagnostics).
Evaluate the function reserve with ease
For the evaluation of the function reserve in closed-loop operation, HEIDENHAIN encoders generate valuation numbers. These easy-to-understand numbers provide detailed information about the state of the following factors:
The internal scanning signal
Position-value formation
The encoder itself
Based on these data, controls or inverters can provide statements about the function reserve. The scale and meaning of these numbers are identical for all HEIDENHAIN encoders, allowing for evaluation across the board. Transmission is performed in a closed control loop, and the resource usage in the subsequent electronics is relatively low, since only numerical values are evaluated and displayed.
HEIDENHAIN developsand produces linear encoders, angle encoders, rotary encoders, and CNC controls for demanding positioning tasks. Rounding out its product portfolio are touch probes, camera systems, length gauges, digital readouts, signal converters, testing devices, and inspection devices. What’s more, its practical software solutions for the Digital Shop Floor empower end users to fully digitalize their manufacturing ecosystem.
In an era where technological advancements redefine industries, Heidenhain stands as a beacon of innovation. With roots in Germany and a significant presence around the globe, this global powerhouse is reshaping multiple sectors through its cutting-edge manufacturing motion control technology.
Microchips: The Heart of Digitalization. As the world buzzes about digitalization and microchips, Heidenhain is at the forefront, aiding the semiconductor industry in enabling Artificial Intelligence to automation and chip manufacturing. Our technology is essential in manufacturing increasingly compact and energy-efficient microchips, crucial for everything from toasters to advanced AI applications.
Sustainability and Efficiency : In a world increasingly conscious of sustainability, Heidenhain is leading the charge. Our technology enhances energy efficiency in various applications, from wind turbines to medical equipment, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of manufacturing processes.
Empowering the Next Generation :
With our revolutionary TNC7 CNC Control’s touchscreen technology, we’re making manufacturing appealing and accessible. Machines operated through this control are intelligent and capable of running batch production in automated production environment without active involvement of a CNC operator.
HEIDENHAIN products are primarily used in high-accuracy machine tools as well as manufacturing and processing systems for electronic components. Thanks to its extensive expertise in developing and manufacturing encoders and controls, HEIDENHAIN is in an excellent position to automate the production machines and systems of tomorrow, supplying a number of critical and innovative industries, including machine tools, electronics, robotics, medical technology, elevators, and metrology. In India, Heidenhain operates from its offices located at Chennai and representatives located at Bengaluru, Pune and Delhi.
[Courtesy: Heidenhain]