Safe and accurate robot positioning

Robots are called upon to perform increasingly demanding tasks, including high-accuracy machining operations on aircraft fuselages and other large components, or positioning tasks as cobots in direct collaboration with humans. In these applications, exact motion control of the robot arm is the critical factor. Designed specifically for use in robotics, new encoders from HEIDENHAIN and AMO enable the motion control needed to expand your range of applications.

New products and highlights for robotics and automation

Improve your applications with solutions from HEIDENHAIN and its brands AMO, RSF and RENCO:

- Next-generation inductive scanning

- Dual encoders and secondary encoders for advanced robotics

- Intelligent system integration with EnDat 3.

Fast introduction to our robotics encoders

KCI 120 Dplus dual encoder: motor feedback and position measurement in one encoder

The KCI 1300 and KBI 1300 encoders: compact and lightweight for small servomotors

An optimal solution for every automation application: the ECI/EBI/EQI, KCI/KBI, KCI 120 Dplus and KCI 419 Dplus inductive rotary encoders

Rotary encoders from HEIDENHAIN and RENCO: dependable performance for automated guided vehicle

Innovative: two rotary encoders in one

The KCI 120 Dplus dual encoder from HEIDENHAIN provides motor feedback and position measurement in a single device. By measuring the position downstream from the gearbox, the KCI 120 Dplus compensates for design-related errors in dynamic, highly maneuverable robots. Articulated robots with a serial architecture, for example, may contain up to six axes, each of which affects final accuracy.

Each axis is driven by a servomotor through a gear system that is susceptible to zero-position error, reversal error, and joint elasticity
Applied forces and dynamic effects from the machining task may further limit positioning accuracy

KCI 120 Dplus: three sizes for perfect integration

In order for the two-fold functionality of the KCI 120 Dplus to be used in as many applications as possible, three versions of the dual encoder are now available. The central scanning unit and two separate disk/hub assemblies are thus suited for various hollow-shaft diameters and installation dimensions. That way the KCI 120 Dplus from HEIDENHAIN, which can be integrated very easily, always offers the same functionality no matter how compact its dimensions are.

The purely serial EnDat 2.2 interface with functional safety can also be used in safety-critical applications such as human-robot collaboration.

KCI 120 Dplus product information for aluminum hollow shafts KCI 120 Dplus product information for compact steel hollow shafts Meet with us to learn about the KCI 120 Dplus for large steel hollow shafts

Discover our next-generation inductive scanning technology

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KCI 1319 and KBI 1335 servo encoders for compact robot motors

The KCI 1319 and KBI 1335 rotary encoders developed by HEIDENHAIN for robot motors are inductive encoders that consist of a scanning unit and a screw-fastened circular scale or alternatively a disk/hub assembly for seating onto a motor shaft.

‍Your benefits:

Very compact design and low weight
Immunity to contamination and magnetic fields
Easy installation with wide tolerances
Safe and secure physical mounting
Safe data transfer via EnDat 2.2 with functional safety
Overload protection with an external temperature sensor is possible

KCI 1300 product information KCI 1300 for safety related applications

Are you familiar with our KCI 1318 FOT and KBI 1335 FOT
encoders with a built-in bearing cover?

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KCI 120 and KBI 136:
our solutions for large hollow shafts

The KCI 120 and KBI 136 compact rotary encoders, for large hollow shafts with diameters of 30 mm or 40 mm, are two of the inductive rotary encoders that HEIDENHAIN designed specifically for robotics applications. They offer the same benefits as the smaller 1300 series, but are designed for significantly more sturdy and powerful robot moters.

Download the product information

High-accuracy motion control for articulated robots

Secondary encoders for high-accuracy position measurement

Robot makers can significantly improve the absolute position accuracy of their designs by adding a high-accuracy angle encoder to each robot axis. Mounted downstream from motor's gear system, these secondary encoders measure the actual position of each robot joint.

Ideal for this application are modular angle encoders such as the WMRA angle measuring system from AMO. Thanks to its modular design, consisting of a scale drum or measuring ring and a separate scanning unit, it can handle large shaft diameters and challenging installation scenarios. The measuing ring of the WMRA from AMO is selectable in any diameter.

Go to the AMO WMRA