Renishaw : launches the FORTiS™ range of next-generation enclosed linear absolute encoders

January 2021

Renishaw, the global metrology specialist, launches the innovative FORTiS enclosed linear absolute encoder series, for use in harsh environments such as machine tools.

The FORTiS design is built upon industry-proven RESOLUTE™ encoder technology and provides high resistance to the ingress of liquids and solid debris contaminants. It features an extruded enclosure with longitudinally attached interlocking lip seals and sealed end caps. The readhead body is joined to a sealed optical unit by a blade, which travels through the lip seals along the length of the encoder. Linear axis movement causes the readhead and optics to traverse the encoder's absolute scale (which is fixed to the inside of the enclosure), without mechanical contact.

Customers can choose from two different extrusion profiles to suit their space requirements. The FORTiS-S™ linear encoder is the standard-sized encoder, available with measuring lengths from 140 mm to 3040 mm and is installed directly to a machined surface via flexure holes in the extrusion's body. The FORTiS-N™ encoder, available with measuring lengths from 70 mm to 2040 mm, features a narrower cross-section extrusion and a more compact readhead to enable installations in confined spaces. This model can be mounted directly to a machined surface via two end cap mounting holes or a mounting spar for greater rigidity.