Linear encoder fitted to cutting machine

The Newall SHG-A2 absolute linear encoder encoder will help Danfoss meet both strict length requirements and a demanding volume throughput.

When Danfoss Bionics wanted to design a fast machine capable of cutting medical capillary tubes, the company opted to fit it with a Newall SHG-A2 absolute linear encoder.

The encoder will help Danfoss meet both strict length requirements and a demanding volume throughput.

Millions of glass tubes will be cut every year at the company's production facility in Nordborg, Denmark.

"Danfoss has been involved in the medical sector for the past five years", says Technical Manager Per Brandt Rasmussen.

"For some time we have been working on a new product launch that will help improve the life quality and expectancy of life for diabetic patients".

The system devised by Danfoss designers in close co-operation with the newly founded company Danfoss Bionics involves the cutting of tiny diameter glass capillary tubes, in lengths ranging from 10 up to 40mm.

"Unfortunately it is not possible to go out and buy capillary tube cutting machines", explains Rasmussen.

"The only option was to either subcontract the design and manufacture of a bespoke machine or take the project on ourselves - so we chose the latter and I got the job of orchestration".

Rasmussen says that accuracy of length was of paramount importance to the success of the project.

"Our previous experience of ordinary encoders was that sometimes they can lose a step", he explains.

"We knew that this outcome would not be satisfactory for cutting capillary tubes so we did our research on absolute linear encoders from Newall".

"Immediately the SHG-A2 sounded like the right solution for our application".

Further enquiries from Danfoss Bionics led the company to the door of Kurt Rasmussen Machine Tools, the Danish distributor for Newall products.

After further discussions the company confirmed its acquisition of the SHG-A2 absolute linear encoder.

Developed to meet a wide range of feedback applications, the SHG-A2 provides a true absolute position immediately upon power-up.

The encoder does not use batteries or static memory to retain the positional data.

True position can be re-acquired once power is applied, regardless of duration or power-off movements.

The encoder has a travel of 200mm and can traverse at up to 8m/s at 0.001mm resolution.

The SHG-A2 has an accuracy grade of +/-0.01mm.

The encoder has since been fitted to the Danfoss Bionics machine at Nordborg where it has been moved from the development laboratory to the production facility for final installation qualification.

"It is the first time we have used Newall and I must say we are impressed", says Rasmussen.

"We spoke to both KRMT and Newall during the build process and always received helpful advice, particularly regarding interfacing the encoder's output signal with the machine's PC".

"The products are also inherently resistant to contamination, which is crucial considering the amount of glass 'dust' produced by continuous cutting operations".

"We wouldn't have any hesitation using Newall products again".

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