Renishaw (www.renishaw.com) has announced the release of its latest Resolute absolute encoder which features Fanuc serial communication in linear encoder formats for grinding machines, high-precision machine tools and diamond-turning machines.

Resolute was designed to deliver sub-micron accuracy and resolution to one nm. A true absolute encoder, Resolute automatically determines absolute position upon switching on, effectively eliminating the need for reference returns or battery backup.

The new absolute encoder utilizes a detection method that is similar to an ultra-high-speed digital camera reading from a fine-pitch, non-repeating barcode scale.

Users can easily capture images, analyze and interpolate them to fine resolutions of up to one nm, even when operating at a maximum speed of 100 m/sec.

With immunity from contamination, this technique achieves broader setup and running tolerances attributed to the absolute encoder’s dirt-rejection and cross-checking capability.

Renishaw guarantees safety since the absolute encoder has been integrated with separate checking algorithm, which regularly monitors position and ensures problems are flagged up before reaching the controller.

To provide users with remarkably higher-fidelity encoder feedback, Resolute offers a harmonious mixture of scale technology and high-performance redhead.

With Sub-Divisional Error (SDE) controlled to within +/-40 nm, the dynamic response of the absolute encoder is optimized. As standard on RELA Invar scales, Resolute offers overall accuracy that is better than +/-1 um, while high accuracy at lengths up to five m is offered on RSLA stainless-steel scales.

RTLA-S and RTLA rugged steel tape scales, which offer +/-5 um/m accuracy, quicker and easier installation as well as lengths up to 10 m, are also available.