Countdown to IMTS 2010: Heidenhain

At this year's IMTS trade show, HEIDENHAIN will present new absolute length gauges of the ACANTO Series in direct competition to LVDTs. These new gauges are characterized by absolute position value formation and are ideal for use in production-related metrology, at multipoint inspection apparatuses and in automated inspection equipment. And because the ACANTO gauges host an absolute optical encoder, they do not need re-referencing and, unlike LVDTs, will not drift.

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The ACANTO absolute length gauges are based on the optical scanning of absolute graduations, which permits high accuracy at high resolution and linearity over the entire measuring length. The technology behind the scanning in the ACANTO is similar to the optical scanning in absolute rotary encoders, which have proven themselves for years.

The EnDat 2.2 interface, which is well known in the industry for absolute HEIDENHAIN encoders, offers a convenient status request function and diagnostic capabilities, instant commissioning, and permits high clock frequency. One self-diagnostic feature to note enables the gauge to output a warning signal well before the internal LED used in the optics would fail due to age. And during operation, valuation numbers permit diagnostics on the quality of the optical scanning. In addition, OEM-specific information can be saved in the length gauge's memory.
ACANTO absolute length gauges are available for measuring lengths of 12 mm and 30 mm and provide IP 64 protection for use in manufacturing environments. The innovative sleeve bearing technology enables the length gauge to operate with low wear and friction.