QUANTiC™ incremental encoder system with RTLC40 linear scale

Features

Operating rideheight tolerance ±0.3 mm
Digital or analogue output direct from the readhead
Readhead size: 35 x 13.5 x 10 mm
Resolutions to 50 nm
Speed up to 24 m/s
Excellent dirt immunity
Optical IN‑TRAC™ reference mark

Benefits

Easy installation
No separate interface required
Compatible with the Advanced Diagnostic Tool ADTi-100 for easy fault finding, challenging installations and servicing
Can be used with tape and carrier-type scale

What is QUANTiC?

The QUANTiC encoder series is Renishaw's incremental open optical encoder with digital or analogue output options, good metrology, high speed performance, and easy installation and set-up. Diagnostic information can be accessed by using the optional Advanced Diagnostic Tool ADTi‑100 and ADT View software during installation or for in‑field diagnostics and fault finding. Speeds up to 24 m/s can be achieved to meet the most demanding motion control requirements. The QUANTiC encoder offers resolutions down to 50 nm and a wide range of configurations, making optimisation easy and simple. Dynamic signal processing gives improved signal stability to achieve superior performance from your motion control system.

What is RTLC40 scale?

RTLC40 is a low profile stainless steel tape scale featuring 40 µm pitch incremental graduations and IN-TRAC customer selectable reference marks. There are two levels of accuracy - standard with ±15 µm/m and high accuracy with ±5 µm/m. Both can be supplied in lengths up to 10 metres (greater than 10 metres on request). Two mounting options are available, both of which allow independent thermal expansion and tape scale convenience.

RTLC40 can be used with the revolutionary FASTRACK™ scale carrier system. This system allows a track to be laid quickly and easily with no need for fixing holes. A sacrificial spacer is removed and the tape scale is then fed into the track.
RTLC40-S is laid onto the substrate with self-adhesive backing tape. The self-adhesive is formulated in such a way that it allows scale expansion independent of the substrate.

To complete the installation, both types of scale are clamped at one point to provide a datum position.

Why choose this encoder system?

Easy installation

In OEM applications, machine build time is critical, as time saved in component installation allows shorter manufacturing lead times and ultimately higher profitability. The QUANTiC encoder series helps to fulfil this need with its wide set-up tolerances for an incremental product (yaw tolerance ±0.9° and rideheight tolerance ±0.2 mm) and integrated set-up LED on the readhead. With improved installation tolerances, production will benefit from a faster installation process, reduced overheads and an increase in throughput.

All purpose digital and analogue encoder system

The QUANTiC encoder is available with industry-standard 1 Vpp analogue output for easy integration into customers' interpolation electronics or with high speed digital interpolation built into the readhead. The digital output configurations available allow the user to optimise the speed and resolution of their system depending on their motion control requirements. Furthermore, the QUANTiC readhead works with both linear and rotary (angle) scales across a range of accuracies. It is quick and easy to install, making it particularly suitable for volume production.

Excellent dirt immunity

The QUANTiC encoder system is highly immune to dirt and contamination due to several advanced design features. QUANTiC readheads incorporate Renishaw's well established filtering optics that average the contributions from many scale periods and effectively filter out non-periodic features such as dirt. Measurement signals are further enhanced by a range of electronic signal processing algorithms such as Auto Gain Control (AGC), Auto Offset Control (AOC) and Auto Balance Control (ABC). QUANTiC encoders also feature a third layer of signal filtering from a new detector design, which helps to eliminate non-harmonic signal frequencies that can occur due to contamination on the scale. These signal conditioning features combine to ensure low Sub-Divisional Error (SDE) and minimal signal variation over contamination.

Optional Advanced Diagnostic Tool ADTi-100

The QUANTiC encoder system is compatible with the Advanced Diagnostic Tool ADTi-100 and ADT View software. They provide comprehensive real-time encoder data feedback to aid more challenging installations and diagnostics. The intuitive software interface can be used for:

Remote calibration
Signal optimisation over the entire axis length
Readhead pitch indication
Limit and reference mark indication
Readout of encoder position (relative to the scale)
Monitoring the velocity against time graph
Exporting and saving data

Technical specifications

Measuring standard	FASTRACK RTLC40: stainless steel tape scale with track mounting system RTLC40-S: stainless steel tape scale with adhesive backing, for mounting directly to a substrate without FASTRACK guide rails
Readhead size (LxWxH)	35 mm x 13.5 mm x 10 mm
Scale pitch	40 μm
Coefficient of thermal expansion at 20 °C	10.1 ±0.2 μm/m/°C
Accuracy grade at 20 °C	40 µm (high accuracy): ±5 µm/m 40 μm: ±15 μm/m
Reference mark	IN-TRAC reference marks directly embedded into RTLC40 / RTLC40-S Selector magnet(s) used to identify chosen reference mark
Limit switches	Dual limits
Scale length	FASTRACK: 100 mm to 25 000 mm RTLC40/RTLC40-S: 20 mm to 10 000 mm (> 10 000 mm on request)
Maximum speed Analogue Digital	See data sheet for details Up to 20 m/s Up to 24 m/s
Sub-Divisional Error (SDE) Analogue Digital	Typically < ±120 nm Typically < ±80 nm
Dynamic signal control	Real time signal conditioning including Auto Gain Control (AGC), Auto Balance Control (ABC) and Auto Offset Control (AOC) for optimised performance across a range of operating conditions
Incremental signals Analogue Digital	1 Vpp (40 µm) RS422 (10 μm to 50 nm)
Electrical connection Analogue and digital	0.5 m, 1 m, 1.5 m and 3 m cable lengths with D-type connectors (9 and 15 pin) or circular in-line connector (12 pin) 0.5 m, 1 m, 3 m cable lengths with 14-way JST connector
Electrical connection Digital only	5 m and 10 m cable lengths with D-type connectors (9 and 15 pin)
Power supply Analogue Digital	5 V -5%/+10% Typically 150 mA fully terminated Cable lengths ≤ 3 m, typically 200 mA fully terminated Cable lengths > 3 m, typically 250 mA fully terminated
Vibration (operating)	100 m/s²max at 55 Hz to 2 000 Hz, 3 axes
Shock (operating)	500 m/s², 11 ms, ½ sine, 3 axes
Operating temperature	0 °C to +70 °C
Sealing	IP40

Refer to data sheet for full details.