Heidenhain GmbH

Heidenhain develops and manufactures linear encoders, angular encoders, rotary encoders, digital readouts, and numerical controls.

Heidenhain delivers its products to manufacturers of machine tools and manufacturers of automated facilities and machines, especially for semiconductor and electronics manufacturing.

A continuous drive to provide technically superior products in combination with reliability, closeness to the customer, and a practice-oriented frame of mind form the basis of Heidenhain's efforts.

Heidenhain's competence in the area of linear and angular metrology is reflected by a large number of customized solutions for users.  These include in particular the measuring and inspection devices developed and built for many of the world's standards laboratories as well as angle encoders for various telescope projects and satellite receiving antennas.  Naturally the standard products also profit from these experiences.

Heidenhain has always sought a dialog with science and research on the one hand and with users and customers on the other.  Today, HEIDENHAIN is represented in more than 40 countries in most of them with wholly owned subsidiaries.

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Angle Measurement

Depending on the accuracy requirements, HEIDENHAIN has two types of encoders for measuring angles:

• angle encoders
• rotary encoders

Angle Encoders

The term angle encoder is typically used to describe encoders that have an accuracy of better than ± 5" and a line count above 10000.  These devices are used in applications such as NC rotary tables, swivel heads of machine tools, dividing apparatuses, high-precision angle measuing tables, precision devices in angular metrology, antennas and telescopes.


Rotary Encoders

Rotary encoders from HEIDENHAIN serve as measuring sensors for rotary motion, angular velocity and also, when used in conjunction with mechanical measuring standards such as lead screws, for linear motion. Application areas include electrical motors, machine tools, printing machines, woodworking machines, textile machines, robots and handling devices, as well as various types of measuring, testing, and inspection devices.

With incremental angle encoders and rotary encoders, the current position is determined by starting at a datum and counting measuring steps, or by subdividing and counting signal periods. Incremental encoders from HEIDENHAIN feature reference marks, which must be scanned after switch-on to reestablish the datum.

Incremental rotary encoders with commutation signals supply the angular shaft position value - without requiring previous traverse - with sufficient accuracy to correctly control the phases of the rotating field of a permanent-magnet three-phase motor.

Absolute angle encoders and rotary encoders require no previous traverse to provide the current position value. Singleturn encoders provide the current angular position value within one revolution, while multiturn encoders can distinguish between revolutions.

Absolute angle encoders and rotary encoders from HEIDENHAIN provide the position values over an EnDat, SSI, PROFIBUS-DP or other serial data interface. The EnDat PROFIBUS-DP bidirectional interfaces enable automatic configuration of the higher-level electronics and provide moitoring and diagnostic functions. With programmable rotary encoders, the user can adjust various encoder functions and parameters from a PC with provided software

Length Measurement

Sealed linear encoders are protected from dust, chips and splash fluids and are ideal for operation on machine tools.

Exposed linear encoders operate with no mechanical contact between the scanning head and the scale or scale tape. Typical areas of application for these encoders include measuring machines, comparators and other precision devices in linear metrology, as well as production and measuring equipment, for example in the semiconductor industry.

With incremental linear encoders, the current position is determined by starting at a datum and counting measuring steps, or by subdividing and counting signal periods. Incremental encoders from HEIDENHAIN feature reference marks, which must be scanned after switch-on to reestablish the datum. This process is especially simple and fast with distance-coded reference marks.

Absolute linear encoders require no previous traverse to provide the current position value. The encoder transmits the absolute value through the EnDat interface or another serial interface.

Length Gauges ...

Length gauges from HEIDENHAIN feature integral guideways for the plunger.  They are used to monitor measuring equipment, in industrial metrology, and also as position encoders.

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