533110-02 HEIDENHAIN Encoder RCN 226 16384 03S17-7V ID 53311002 New Original

Heidenhain RCN 226 16384 03S17-7V | Absolute Angle Encoder — ID 533110-02 / 20mm Hollow Shaft / ±5" Accuracy / 26-Bit / EnDat

High-Accuracy Absolute Angle Measurement — On Power-Up and Every Revolution

The Heidenhain RCN 226 is an absolute angle encoder with integral bearing, designed for demanding angular measurement in machine tools, measurement instruments, and precision positioning systems. "Absolute" means the encoder knows its angular position from the moment power is applied — no homing, no reference run, no startup motion required. The position value is available immediately, in any shaft orientation.

The 16,384 signal lines create 16,384 incremental periods per revolution. These are photoelectrically scanned from a glass graduated disk. Over the full 360° of rotation, the encoder resolves 67,108,864 absolute positions — equivalent to 26 bits of single-turn angular resolution. For a rotary table, this means a positional resolution of approximately 0.019 arc seconds before any additional interpolation that the machine's control performs internally. At ±5 arc second system accuracy, this is a high-precision measurement device suited to precision machining, metrology, and telescope applications.

The integral bearing design — where the encoder contains its own precision bearing — removes the need for a separate coupling to an external shaft bearing. The hollow through-shaft format allows the encoder to be mounted coaxially with a machine's existing shaft, passing through the centre of the encoder. An integrated stator coupling accommodates the small misalignments that occur between the encoder body and the rotating shaft without transmitting lateral forces to the bearing.

Key Specifications

EnDat Interface — Serial Absolute Data Transmission

The RCN 226 uses Heidenhain's EnDat serial interface to transmit absolute position data to the connected control system. EnDat is a bidirectional serial interface — the control system requests position data from the encoder, and the encoder responds with the current absolute position in a single clock-synchronised transmission. This digital serial link avoids the noise susceptibility of analogue signal transmission over long cable runs (up to 150m for EnDat 02). The interface also transmits encoder status, alarm bits, and additional data fields beyond the position value alone.

FAQ

Q1: What is the difference between ID 533110-01 and 533110-02?

Both are RCN 226 16384 03S17-7V encoders. The ID number suffix (-01, -02) identifies a production revision within the same product specification — the encoder's functional parameters, accuracy, and interface are unchanged between revisions. The -02 is the later revision. In practice, both revisions serve the same application and are mechanically and electrically interchangeable in most systems.

Q2: Does the RCN 226 require a homing move at machine power-on?

No. The RCN 226 is an absolute encoder — it returns the current angular position immediately after power is applied, without any shaft movement. For machine tools, this means the axis position is known from the moment the control boots, and reference return moves are not required. This is the primary advantage of absolute encoders over incremental encoders in production machine applications.

Q3: What mounting arrangement does the hollow shaft allow?

The 20mm hollow through-shaft allows the encoder to be mounted concentrically around a machine axis shaft — for example, directly behind a rotary table or swivel head spindle. The machine shaft passes through the encoder's hollow shaft, and the encoder rotor is secured to the machine shaft. The integrated stator coupling connects the encoder housing to the machine structure while allowing small radial misalignment and axial movement without overloading the encoder bearing.

Q4: What is the maximum cable length for the EnDat connection?

Maximum cable length for the EnDat 02 interface is 150m. For EnDat 2.2, the maximum is 100m. These limits apply at the specified clock frequencies. For machine tool applications where the encoder is at the machine table and the control is in the cabinet, cable runs are typically well within these limits.

Q5: Is the RCN 226 suitable for spindle speed measurement at high RPM?

The maximum permissible speed of 1,500 rpm limits the RCN 226 to lower-speed rotary applications — rotary tables, swivel heads, and slow-moving precision axes. For high-speed spindle measurement at speeds above 1,500 rpm, Heidenhain offers modular encoders or other series rated for higher speeds. Confirm the application's maximum angular velocity against the 1,500 rpm limit before specifying.