Reliable. Sophisticated. Flexible.

MS 40
Open Linear Encoder
with Singlefield Scanning


 Term-explanation

Grating Pitch (Interval)

A grating is a continuous series of lines and spaces printed on the scale. The width of one line and one space is called the pitch
(sometimes referred to as the interval) of the grating. The lines and spaces are accurately placed on the scale.

Signal Period
When scanning the grating, the encoder head produces sinusoidal signals with a period equal to the grating pitch.

Interpolation
The sinusoidal signal period can be electronically divided into equal parts. The interpolation circuitry generates a square wave edge
for each division.

Reference Pulse (Reference Mark)

There is an additional track of marks printed next to the grating to allow a user to find an absolute position along the length of
the scale. A one increment wide signal is generated when the encoder head passes the reference mark on the scale.
This is called a “true” reference mark since it is repeatable in both directions. Subsequent electronics use this pulse to assign
a preset value to the absolute reference mark position.

Error Signal
This signal appears when a malfunctioning encoder generates faulty scanning signals.

Measuring Step (Resolution)

The smallest digital counting step produced by an encoder.

Accuracy
This is a fundamental characteristic, which is specified by an accuracy grade (e.g. ±30 µm/m).

Abbe Error
Measuring error due to lateral distance between the measuring system and the machining level.

Yaw Angle, Pitch Angle, Roll Angle, Lateral Shift, Airgap

Mounting tolerances of the encoder head relative to the scale.


 What design characteristics do you require
in an open Linear Encoder?
• Small dimensions
• Contamination resistance
• High resolution
• High speed
• Large mounting tolerances
• Low Cost and High Quality

The MS 40 meets all these requirements!

The trend today in motion control applications is for Reference marks, accurate and repeatable from both traversing
open Linear Encoder Systems. directions, are standard.
This is driven by steadily increasing demands for
- Higher traversing speed A wide range of interpolation electronics, integrated into the
- Higher operating cycles encoder head, enables resolutions from 10 µm to 0,5 µm.
- Lower mechanical backlash Squarewave signals, single ended, or via Line Driver RS 422,
- Zero frictional force induced by the encoder. are provided at the output of the encoder head.
Only open, non-contact encoders fulfill all these requirements.
Units with sinusoidal outputs 1Vpp are also available.
A drawback of many open linear encoders is their sensitivity
to dirt and contamination on the scale. Due to recent advancements in technology, all of these benefits
The MS 40 encoder´s unique optical design minimizes the are now available in a small package design.
effect of dirt and contamination normally associated with the
Open Linear Encoders.

The MS 40 utilizes a unique scanning principle which allows for

high traversing speeds (up to 15 m/s),
large mounting tolerances and contamination on the scale.

Signal amplitude vs. reading head gap


 Scanning Principle
The model MS 40 incremental Linear Encoder works with the imaging,
Scanning principle
photoelectric measuring principle and a singlefield reflective scanning method.
A scale graduation pattern with 200 µm grating pitch is used on a steel tape.

The regulated light of an infrared LED is collimated by a condenser lens,

passes through the grid of the reticle and the scale and generates a periodic
intensity distribution on the structured sensor.

The sensor generates sinusoidal signals of the highest quality that prove to be
highly insensitive to possible contaminations, which can never be entirely ruled out
despite all technical precautions.

The regulation of the LED ensures a constant light output, guaranteeing stability
in the case of temperature fluctuations as well as with long-run operation.

Effect of contamination on the quality and size of the scanning signal (before interpolation)

Clean steel tape scale - Contaminated steel tape scale

optimal condition unfavorable condition

High insensitivity to contamination by use of a new scanning principle.


 Cable and Connector Shielding, Standard Connector pin-out
Encoder head shielding and cable type is Square wave signals
determined by the signal type. Sinusoidal voltage signals
The standard is a 3 meter cable with a
shielded PUR-cable, Ø 4.3 mm
PUR jacket material. bending radius fixed mounting > 10 mm, continuous flexing > 50 mm
Cables for use in vacuum applications to torsion > 300.000 cycles, dragchain > 5.000.000 cycles
10-7 torr are available on request.

Connector LD15 15-pin

PIN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Sensor Sensor
Square-wave sig. nc 0V Us RI T2 T1 +5 V +5 V 0V nc nc RI T2 T1 Shield
via Line Driver
pin-out
(view on pins)

PIN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Sensor Sensor
Sinusoidal nc 0V nc RI A2 A1 +5 V +5 V 0V nc nc RI A2 A1 Shield
voltage signals

• Sensor:
The sensor-pins are bridged in the chassis with the particular power supply

• Shield is additionally connected with the chassis

Max. permissible cable length according to power supply


 Output Signals
Sinusoidal voltage signals 1Vpp Voltage signals (1 Vpp)
(drawing shows “positive counting direction”)
Two sinusoidal voltage signals A1 and A2 and one reference mark signal
(all with inverted signals).

Power supply: +5 V ±5 %, max. 130 mA (unloaded)

Track signals (differential voltage A1 to A1 resp. A2 to A2 ):
Signal amplitude 0.6 Vpp to 1.2 Vpp; typ. 1 Vpp
(with terminating impendance Zo = 120 Ω between A1 to A1 resp. A2 to A2)

Reference mark
(differential voltage RI to RI):
Useable component 0.2 up to 0.85 V; typical 0.5 V
(with terminating impedance Zo = 120 Ω between RI to RI)

Advantage:
- High traversing speed with long cable lengths possible

Square wave signals „differential“

Square-wave signals
(drawing shows “positive counting direction”)
With a Schmitt-Trigger (for times 1) or interpolation electronics
(for times 5, -10, -50 or -100) the photoelement output signals
are converted into two square-wave signals that have a phase shift of 90°.
Output signals either can be "single ended" or Line Driver "differential" (RS 422).
One measuring step reflects the measuring distance between two edges
of the square-wave signals.

The controls/DRO´s must be able to detect each edge of the square-wave signals.
The minimum edge separation amin is listed in the technical data and refers to a
measurement at the output of the interpolator (inside the scanning head).
Propagation-time differences in the Line Driver, the cable and the Line Receiver
reduce the edge separation.

Propagation-time differences:
Line Driver: max. 10 ns
Cable: 0.2 ns per meter
Line receiver: max. 10 ns refered to the recommended Line Receiver circuit

To prevent counting errors, the controls/DRO´s must be able to process

the resulting edge separation.

Example:
amin = 200 ns, 10 m cable
200 ns - 10 ns - 10 x 0.2 ns - 10 ns = 178 ns

Power supply: +5 V ±5%, max. 140 mA (unloaded)

Advantage:
- Noise immune signals
- No further subdividing electronics necessary

Recommended Line Receiver circuit Counting direction


 Technical Data
Features:
• Small dimensions
• Easy mounting as a result of large mounting tolerances
• High insensitivity to contamination by use of an extensive singlefield scanning principle
• High traversing speed
• Reference mark (accurate and repeatable from both traversing directions)
• Integrated subdividing electronics: for up to times 100 interpolation (before quadrature)

Scanning unit: 200 µm grating pitch, system resolution: from 10 µm to 0.5 µm

System Integrated Max. Max. output

Scale model resolution interpolation velocity frequency resp.
Edge separation amin

• Sinusoidal voltage signals

depending on
MS 40.06
external interpolation - 15 m/s 75 kHz

• Square-wave signals with integrated Subdividing

MS 40.66 10 µm times 5 10 m/s 500 ns

MS 40.76 5 µm times 10 9.6 m/s 500 ns

MS 40.86 1 µm times 50 4.8 m/s 200 ns

MS 40.96 0.5 µm times 100 2.4 m/s 200 ns

Scale unit Grating carrier

Steel tape scale

Grating pitch 200 µm

Accuracy grades ±30 µm/m

Max. measuring length 20 000 mm (longer on request)

Reference marks (RI) standard separated by distances of n x 100 mm

Reference mark (RI) at any location selected by customer

Mounting-adjustment/Test:
With electronic signal test/set-up box PG or PS to optimize or check the mounting (see page 10)

Permissible vibration: 150 m/s2 (40 up to 2000 Hz)

Permissible shock: 750 m/s2 (8 ms)

Permissible temperature:
–20 °C up to +70 °C (storage), 0 °C up to +70 °C (operation)


 MS [Link] MO, MS [Link] MK

• Version MO: steel tape scale only

• Version MK: steel tape scale
with adhesive tape

Dimensions, mounting tolerances, mounting possibilities:

weight (approx.):
• Version MO: 20 g/m
• Version MK: 25 g/m
+ 17 g (reading head without cable)

Tape mounting tool TMT 40 MK (optional)

For safe and precise mounting of the steel tape scale.

• Mount TMT 40 MK instead of the reading head MS 40

• Thread steel tape scale (version MK)
and move along the scale length
• Remove TMT 40 MK, mount reading head MS 40


 MS [Link] MP

• Steel tape scale in aluminum carrier

with clamping element
• Carrier with adhesive tape

Dimensions, mounting tolerances, mounting possibilities:

weight (approx.):
115 g/m + 2 g clamping element
+ 17 g (reading head without cable)


 PG, PS Electronic Signal Test/Set-up Boxes
Open linear encoders are adjusted at the factory to provide The PG1-U is an all-purpose signal test box where all the
the signal specifications at the specified mounting conditions. relevant signals are displayed on LCD Bars and allows
the quantitative as well as the qualitative evaluation
Even though the linear encoders in the MS 40 series allow for of the encoder signals.
large mechanical mounting tolerances,
it is recommended to inspect the mounting by checking the The PG-U, PG4 and PS4 test box checks all relevant signals;
quality of the output signals. amplitude, phase and offset, and displays the results in a
qualitative format on a polychromatic LED display.
There are various methods of checking the quality
of the output signals. PG-U and PG4 = stand alone test
The signals can be connected to an oscilloscope PS4 = in-circuit test
and checked for conformity with signal specifications.
This method requires effort, training and expensive test
equipment (oscilloscope). Often one or all of these items are
unavailable to the installing technician.
As an alternative to this method, RSF offers different signal test
boxes. With these test boxes all encoder signals can be quickly
and easily checked.

PG1-U PG-U, PG4 PS4

Intended PG-use Output signals

square wave sinus (1 Vpp)

PG1-U
-- ü

PG-U
-- ü

PG4
ü --

PS4
ü --

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 Other RSF Products, Short Description

MS 2x series MS 3x series MS 82 Modular Rotary Encoder

Reflective scanning Linear Reflective scanning Linear Interferential Linear Encoder with steel tape scale
Encoder with integrated mounting Encoder with integrated mounting • two switch tracks MSR 40
control (only MS 25, MS 26) control (only MS 35, MS 36) for individual special functions different versions
• easy mounting; no test box or • easy mounting; no test box or • non-contact reflective scanning • full-circle or segment version
oscilloscope needed oscilloscope needed • high traversing speed • grating pitch: 200 µm
• quality of the scanning signals • quality of the scanning signals • small dimensions • accuracy of the grating pitch
is directly visible at the reading is directly visible at the reading • scale unit: glass scale or (stretched): ±30 µm/m
head via a 3-colored LED head via three 3-colored LEDs ROBAX® -glass ceramic scale • high rotational speed resp.
• two independent switch signals • two independent switch signals with phase grating circumferential speed
for individual special functions for individual special functions • max. measuring length: • integrated subdividing:
• position of reference mark • small dimensions 3 140 mm up to times 100 interpolation
selectable • easy mounting as a result of
• high insensitivity against large mounting tolerances
contamination • high traversing speed MSR 20
• high traversing speed • high insensitivity against • segment version
• integrated subdividing: contamination • grating pitch: 40 µm
up to times 100 interpolation • integrated subdividing: • accuracy of the grating pitch
• max. measuring length: up to times 100 interpolation (stretched): ±15 µm/m
glass scale: 3 140 mm • max. measuring length: • high circumferential speed
steel tape scale: 20 000 mm glass scale: 3 140 mm • integrated subdividing:
steel tape scale: 20 000 mm up to times 100 interpolation

e.g. MSA 730

MSA 170 MSA 374 Z 7xx series

• extremely small cross section Enclosed Linear Encoder Digital Readouts
• enclosed version • for application on presses for universal applications
• guided by ball bearings bending machines and • number of alphanumeric axis:
• distance coded reference marks hydraulic cylinders 1, 2 or 3 (depends on version)
• mounting holes • roller bearing dual guided • clearly readable display
on the extrusion ends scanning carriage • robust cast aluminum housing
• max. measuring length: • free positionable switching e.g. MSA 470 • clear keyboard
520 mm magnets for special functions • practice-oriented functions
• distance coded reference marks • standard version for lathe or
• mounting holes on MSA 7xx, MSA 8xx series milling machine
the extrusion ends (small dimensions) • version for spark erosion
• max. measuring length: machines and surface grinders
MSA 4xx, MSA 5xx series on request
720 mm
(large dimensions)

• optimized thermal behavior

• connection cable pluggable
(optional)
• enclosed version
• distance coded reference marks
• mounting holes at the ends or
along the scale unit for
improved vibration stability
• max. measuring length:
3 040 mm

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 Distribution contacts

Austria RSF Elektronik Ges.m.b.H. USA HEIDENHAIN CORPORATION

A-5121 Tarsdorf 333 East State Parkway
+43 (0) 62 78 81 92-0 Schaumburg, IL 60173-5337
+43 (0) 62 78 81 92-79 +1 847 490 11 91
e-mail: info@[Link] e-mail: info@[Link]
internet: [Link] internet: [Link]

Switzerland RSF Elektronik (Schweiz) AG China RSF Elektronik GmbH

Vieristrasse 14 Tian Wei San Jie,
CH-8603 Schwerzenbach Area A, Beijing Tianzhu Airport Industrial Zone
+41 (0) 44 955 10 50 Shunyi District
+41 (0) 44 955 10 51 101312 Beijing
e-mail: info@[Link] P.R. China
internet: [Link] +86 (0) 10 80 42 02 88
+86 (0) 10 80 42 02 90
e-mail: [Link]@[Link]
internet: [Link]

Slovenia RSF Elektronik prodaja, d.o.o. Korea HEIDENHAIN LTD.

Jozeta Jame 14 201 Namsung Plaza, 9th Ace Techno Tower,
SI-1210 Ljubljana 345-30, Gasan-Dong, Geumcheon-Gu,
+386 (0) 1 519 88 80 Seoul, Korea 153-782
+386 (0) 1 519 88 80 +82 (0) 2 20 28 74 30
e-mail: mail@[Link] e-mail: info@[Link]
internet: [Link]

Date 05/2011 • [Link]. 572697-24 • Techn. adjustment in reserve!

Precision Linear Scales

certified according to
Digital Readouts DIN EN ISO 9001
Precision Graduations DIN EN ISO 14001
Industrial Applications
Ges.m.b.H.
A-5121 Tarsdorf • +43 (0)6278 / 8192-0 • +43 (0)6278 / 8192-79 • e-mail: info@[Link] • internet: [Link]

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