With the introduction of its EES37 single turn encoder and EEM37 multiturn encoders, SICK has completed its product portfolio for HIPERFACE DSL® standard servo motor feedback systems, while achieving an important step forward for drive technology, particularly well-suited to robotics and packaging machinery designs.
The SICK EES37/EEM37 absolute encoders provide servo motor feedback with 15 or 17 bit resolution for Hiperface DSL®-enabled drives. The development has delivered digital data output and diagnostics for compact motor designs at a lower price-performance level, together with functional safety up to PLd and SIL2 levels where required.
Because the SICK EES37/EEM37 encoders use a capacitive measurement system with a bearing-free design, they assure excellent resistance to shock and vibrations. They are well-suited for integration into the smaller servo motors used in robotics and packaging applications, where rapid acceleration and frequent reversal in direction of travel are required.
Easily-mounted to the motor flange and shaft, with HIPERFACE DSL® onboard, the SICK EES37/EEM37 encoders require only a single cable to communicate comprehensive motor feedback data and diagnostics, facilitating real-time condition monitoring.
“With the development of the EES37/EEM37 encoders, SICK has introduced an important alternative to the resolvers still often used for standard servo motors at this end of the market,” explains Darren Pratt, SICK’s UK product manager for encoders. “Resolvers need a separate cable and do not provide the real-time diagnostic data that the HIPERFACE DSL® technology now enables. As single-turn devices, resolvers are also not able to directly provide the absolute multi turn information needed for robotics applications.
“As you would expect from HIPERFACE DSL® technology, the winding temperature is communicated via the same feedback cable. A usage histogram provides an easy graphic read-out of data such as time spent at different speeds, temperatures and supply voltages. Included is an 8Kb EPROM memory function for storage of motor and application specific parameters and, in the unlikely event, an error log for analysis.”
The SICK EES37 single turn and EEM37 multi-turn absolute encoders each offer 15 or 17 bit resolution and the multiturn version can encode up to 4,096 revolutions. The SICK EES37/EEM37 encoders are very compact and add little to the overall length of small servo motors used, for example, in robotic applications.
The SICK EES37/EEM37 encoders complete SICK’s encoder offering for HIPERFACE DSL® enabled motor feedback systems. With standard mechanical and electrical interfaces, a broad range of performance solutions are now available and HIPERFACE DSL® compatibility is also ensured for motor manufacturers.
The SICK EES37/EEM37 encoders’ functional safety option, certified to PLd and SIL2, supports safe speed operation as well as safe single turn positioning, including safe stop functions, speed limits and directions of movement. These functions are important in materials handling and robotics, protecting equipment and personnel, while reducing safety distances and enabling the realisation of collaborative robotic solutions.
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