What's new at HEIDENHAIN

Thanks to TRUE IMAGE TECHNOLOGY, the Series 6 LC linear encoders and Series 1 RCN angle encoders from HEIDENHAIN maintain a clear image of their scales despite exposure to condensation and liquid contamination in applications such as machine tools. A special light-guiding element eliminates optical distortions, allowing these encoders to reliably deliver high-accuracy position feedback, even without purge air in many cases. The benefits include lower system costs and an up to 99% smaller carbon footprint.

Our Dplus encoders share a remarkable capability: multi-dimensional motion feedback. In robotics, the inductive KCI 120 Dplus provides rotary position feedback both upstream and downstream from a robot joint’s gearing, thus raising TCP accuracy and simplifying cobot design. On elevator motors, the KCI 419 Dplus merges angular position feedback with continuous brake-stroke monitoring for greater operational reliability. And for chipmaking challenges, such as finer structures in hybrid bonding, the LIP 6000 Dplus drives up system accuracy by tracking secondary motion orthogonal to its primary linear axis.

With a 16-inch monitor, the new TNC7 basic represents the lower end of the current TNC7 size spectrum. But this successor to the TNC 620 still offers the typical benefits that make the new HEIDENHAIN controls so easy, reliable and efficient to operate, including a Full HD monitor, 6D Model Aided Setup (MAS), Dynamic Collision Monitoring (DCM) and OCM trochoidal milling.

Chiplet technology and new mid-end-of-line processes in semiconductor manufacturing have laid the groundwork for artificial intelligence, humanoid robots and self-driving vehicles. Advances in production miniaturization have downscaled the distance between electrical contacts to 2 microns, thus reaching a key milestone. But even smaller structures are attainable at greater throughput with the HEIDENHAIN encoders and ETEL motion systems being showcased at SEMICON West 2024.

The HEIDENHAIN VT 122 measuring camera and VTC software form a single intelligent system with the threefold functionality of a tool presetter, tool microscope and visual inspection aid. Providing accurate images of the tool's edges from within the machine envelope, the camera can also automatically measure a tool's length and diameter. Tool inspection and flank wear measurement can be performed from the convenience of your control or PC. Users benefit from reduced non-productive time, greater machining accuracy, fewer scrap parts and less rework.