Safety-related position encoders have been available from Heidenhain for several years. However, those encoders have been rated to SIL 2, PL d, Category 3. While this meets the requirements of most applications, sometimes there is a need for SIL 3, PL e, Category 4-rated equipment. These applications involve high risks for the operator, such as when they may interact with a robot. For these applications, Heidenhain has developed the ECI 1319 and EQI 1331 inductive, safety-related rotary position encoders. Both encoders showcase improved vibration specifications (400 m/s2 stator and 600 m/s2 rotor), as well as a more durable multi-turn gearbox. They also support the advantages of previous bearingless, inductive encoders, including non-contact design, resistance to contamination, no mechanical self-heating, and reduced sensitivity to radial runout.
