Latest additive manufacturing and position encoders on show

Renishaw is a leader in position encoders and will highlight its latest products, including new variants of RESOLUTE, the world's first true absolute encoder which is capable of 27 bit resolution at 36,000 rpm and resolution of just 1nm at up to 100m/s, for both linear and angle encoding applications.

New models include Resolute ETR, a variant of this absolute optical encoder with extended temperature range that allows it to operate in very cold environments such as aerospace and observatories. Three new protocols have also been recently added, including one for the Mitsubishi Melservo-J4 range of servo amplifiers, which are regularly used in industries such as electronic assembly, and Fanuc serial communications for linear encoding in the machine tool industry.

Renishaw's range of TONiC compact, incremental optical encoders provide the accuracy of fragile fine-pitch encoders, but in a rugged, simple-to-install package. Recent additions to the TONiC range of linear and rotary encoders include 1nm and 2nm resolutions, a dual output encoder interface, and compatibility with Renishaw's Dual Signal Interface (DSi) for high-accuracy angle encoding.

Also on show at Engineering Design Show will be Renishaw's AM250 laser melting system which utilises an additive manufacturing process capable of producing complex metal parts direct from 3D CAD, using a high-powered fibre laser. Parts are built from a range of fine metal powders that are fully melted in a tightly controlled atmosphere, in layer thicknesses ranging from 20 to 100 microns. Laser melting has already developed a presence in the medical (orthopaedics) industry as well as the aerospace and high-technology engineering and electronics sectors.

To find out more about additive manufacturing and precision feedback systems from Renishaw, visit them at hall 2 stand D85 at the Engineering Design Show 2012 from 10-11 October, or go to the website at www.renishaw.com.