Magnetic Grating Ruler | Read Head | Features and Installation Steps

Magnetic grating ruler, also called a magnetic scale, is a position sensing device that records magnetic signals using electromagnetic methods. It performs well in harsh environments with oil and dust and has strong immunity to external magnetic interference.

The working principle of a magnetic grating ruler is magnetoelectric conversion. To ensure a stable output signal, the air gap between the grating and the read head should be small, ideally contact. In practice, linear magnetic grating systems operate in quasi-contact due to assembly and adjustment limits, with an effective gap around 0.01 mm to maintain stable output.

Magnetic grating rulers are also displacement sensors. They are generally less expensive than optical gratings, simple to manufacture, easy to install and adjust, and offer a wide measurement range and strong anti-interference capability. Typical achievable resolution ranges from 1 to 10 um and system accuracy can reach ±0.001 mm/m. Magnetic grating rulers provide a cost-effective solution.

Magnetic grating rulers measure displacement via the magnetic interaction between the grating and the read head. The original magnetic pattern can be erased and re-recorded if required. Recording on the machine after installation can eliminate installation and geometric errors from the machine itself.

Key characteristics of magnetic grating rulers: they operate in near-contact mode with the read head. Magnetoelectric conversion is the underlying principle. Considering the large magnetic reluctance of air, the gap between the grating and head must be small to ensure stable output amplitude. In practice, the head presses onto the tape so the head maintains good contact even if the tape surface is uneven.

Atonm magnetic read heads are compact with small installation envelopes, full-metal housings and high-flexibility wear-resistant shielded cables. Robust hardware and software anti-interference design increase reliability. High resolution options include 1 um, 5 um and 10 um. Parallel installation avoids mechanical conversion errors and ensures performance in oily, dusty and vibrating environments.

Usage notes for magnetic grating rulers:

1. Ensure stable supply voltage (small voltage fluctuation indicates normal operation).

2. The power supply must have sufficient capacity. Underpowered supplies can cause display jitter during certain machine movements or cause voltage fluctuations observable with a multimeter. When the solenoid valve drive power shares the read head supply, such problems are more likely.

3. Static and RF interference can cause numeric display jitter.

4. Installation must be aligned and parallel (adjust angle and parallelism if display jumps).

5. Long-term use with heavy contamination can increase contact resistance and lead to display jitter; this can indicate early wear of the grating.

6. If data is not displayed or jumps regularly, check cable insulation and machine grounding to the metal chassis.