Miniature linear guideway with position feedback

Schneeberger has released the MINISCALE bearing system, a high precision miniature guideway combined with an optical measuring system, all in one unit. The range has been developed in order to meet the increasing demand for high speed performance and acceleration duties required by linear motor drives.

The unit is based on the MINIRAIL linear guide combined with an integrated digital measuring system with an exact scale etched into the rail surface with an optical reading head on the carriage.The encoder provides a digital TTL output with a resolution of typically 1µm and repeatability to within ±2µm. Rail widths of 7 to 42mm are available. MINISCALE can be used for travel lengths up to 1m, speeds of up to 5m/sec and acceleration to 30g.

The linear motion guides are suited for application in laboratory automation, biotech and laser machining and nanotechnologies. The quiet running and smooth characteristics lend themselves to scanning or high seed incremental moves.The integral measuring/positioning function located close to the load ensures backlash free positioning and hence removes the accumulated ‘lost motion’ errors often associated with rotary encoder systems.