Product overview
Key buying points at a glance
Use this section to scan application fit, reference pricing and decision notes before reading the full technical content.
- Ultra‑Compact Design Only 9.6 mm high, 39 % thinner than competing units, fitting tight enclosure spaces.
- Programmable Interpolation & Bandwidth Adjustable X4‑X16384 interpolation and 0.098‑50 M counts/s output to match any controller.
- Long Travel with Minimal Space 0.3 mm steel‑strip scale can be cut to 30 m, while the 6 mm wide scale saves installation space.
- Robust Signal Integrity Dual‑layer shielded 4.2 mm cable, 20 mm bend radius, 20 million flex cycles without attenuation.
- Full Software Configuration All parameters stored in non‑volatile memory via SmartPrecision II, no re‑tuning after power loss.
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Product detail
Application and configuration notes
Product Overview
The MicroE MII5730-AB-1000‑3‑2‑1 belongs to Novanta’s Mercury II second‑generation programmable optical encoder family. It integrates all signal‑processing electronics in a single read head, eliminating the need for external signal‑conditioning boxes. Designed for compact motion platforms in semiconductor, medical automation and precision metrology, the unit supports linear metal‑strip scales, glass gratings, and rotary disc gratings with a single head.
Key Hardware Features & Size Advantage
- Read head dimensions: 38.5 mm × 13.5 mm × 9.6 mm – 39 % thinner than comparable units.
- Unified 6 mm wide scale, half the width of traditional gratings, saving installation space.
- Metal steel‑strip scale thickness 0.3 mm, cut‑to‑length on site, up to 30 m travel.
- Glass grating range up to 995 mm.
- Alignment tolerances: ±0.15 mm gap, X‑axis ±1°, Y/Z‑axis ±2°.
- Dual‑layer shielded cable, 4.2 mm diameter, 10 m length, 20 mm bend radius, 20 million cycles without signal loss.
Programmable Core Functions
All parameters are set via the MicroE SmartPrecision II software and stored in non‑volatile memory, surviving power‑off. Features include:
- Interpolation factor adjustable from 4 to 16 384, delivering linear resolution from 5 µm down to 1.22 nm.
- Output bandwidth 0.098 M to 50 M orthogonal counts/s, protecting controllers from overload.
- Low‑pass filter cutoff 0.01 kHz‑100 kHz, selectable per speed regime.
- Programmable limit‑switch polarity with dual optical/electrical safety logic.
- Automatic signal‑optimization calibration compensating scale mis‑alignment and light contamination.
- Three‑state differential alarm output for fault diagnostics.
- High‑speed serial debug interface for firmware updates and status read‑back.
Performance Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Grating pitch | 20 µm |
| Maximum linear speed | 5 m/s |
| Maximum rotary speed | 6000 rpm |
| Metal strip accuracy | ±5 µm/m (full travel) |
| Glass linear accuracy | ±1 µm (≤130 mm) / ±1.5‑5 µm (130 mm‑1 m) |
| Rotary angular accuracy | ±2.1 arc‑sec |
| Weight | 3 g |
Typical Applications
Semiconductor wafer bonders, probe stations, precision micro‑positioning platforms, micro‑surgical robotic arms, laboratory micro‑analysis stages, high‑resolution spectrometers, coordinate measuring machines and small‑scale CNC tools.
Contact & Inquiry
For pricing, stock confirmation and technical support, contact Beijing High‑Control Technology (Beijing High‑Control Technology Co., Ltd.) – Dong Yu, +86 185 1855 6588.
Key Selling Points
- Ultra‑Compact Design: Only 9.6 mm high, 39 % thinner than competing units, fitting tight enclosure spaces.
- Programmable Interpolation & Bandwidth: Adjustable X4‑X16384 interpolation and 0.098‑50 M counts/s output to match any controller.
- Long Travel with Minimal Space: 0.3 mm steel‑strip scale can be cut to 30 m, while the 6 mm wide scale saves installation space.
- Robust Signal Integrity: Dual‑layer shielded 4.2 mm cable, 20 mm bend radius, 20 million flex cycles without attenuation.
- Full Software Configuration: All parameters stored in non‑volatile memory via SmartPrecision II, no re‑tuning after power loss.
Buying Guide and Applications
Selection Guide for Lab‑Scale Encoders
When choosing an encoder for laboratory micro‑detection, prioritize size, resolution, and configurability. The MicroE MII5730‑AB‑1000 offers an ultra‑compact form factor (under 10 mm height) that fits tight enclosures, while its programmable interpolation (X4‑X16384) lets you match the resolution of any precision controller. Evaluate the travel length you need – the metal strip version can be cut to a maximum of 30 m, ideal for long‑range linear stages, whereas the glass grating version provides sub‑micron accuracy for short‑range metrology. Verify that the encoder’s output bandwidth (up to 50 M counts/s) aligns with your controller’s maximum count rate to avoid missed pulses.
Installation & Alignment Tips
The MII5730‑AB‑1000’s ±0.15 mm gap tolerance and ±1°/±2° axis alignment simplify set‑up. Start by mounting the read head with the supplied brackets, ensuring the scale is parallel within the tolerance range. Use the built‑in auto‑calibration routine through SmartPrecision II; the system will compensate for minor mis‑alignments and surface contamination. The dual‑layer shielded cable tolerates tight bends (20 mm radius) without signal degradation, allowing clean routing in cramped lab cabinets.
Maintenance & Reliability
Because the encoder uses non‑contact optical measurement, there is no mechanical wear on the read head. Routine checks should focus on keeping the scale surface free of dust and oil; the large‑area photodiode and multi‑stage optical filter already provide strong immunity to light contamination. The device is CE‑EMC compliant and has been calibrated against NIST‑traceable laser interferometers, guaranteeing long‑term accuracy for at least five years under normal lab conditions.
Why Choose MicroE’s Mercury II Platform?
Mercury II encoders combine miniature packaging with full programmability, enabling customers to tailor interpolation, bandwidth, filter settings and limit‑switch logic without hardware changes. The integrated electronics reduce wiring complexity, and the dual‑mode limit switches add a safety layer for critical medical and semiconductor processes. Compared with legacy encoders, the MII5730‑AB‑1000 delivers up to 39 % less thickness while maintaining nanometer‑scale resolution and robust signal integrity over 10 m cable runs.
Buyer FAQ
What measurement ranges are available for the MII5730‑AB‑1000?
The encoder supports a 0.3 mm thick metal steel‑strip scale up to 30 m and a glass grating up to 995 mm. Both can be used with the same read head for linear applications.
Can the encoder be used for angular measurement?
Yes, the same read head supports rotary disc gratings, delivering up to ±2.1 arc‑seconds angular accuracy and up to 6000 rpm speed.
Is the device programmable without hardware changes?
All interpolation, output bandwidth, filter cutoff and limit‑switch polarity are set through the SmartPrecision II software and saved in non‑volatile memory, so no rewiring is needed.
What are the environmental certifications?
The encoder complies with CE electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standards and is calibrated against NIST‑traceable laser interferometers.
How is the encoder powered and connected?
It uses a dual‑layer shielded 4.2 mm flexible cable (10 m standard length). The cable can bend to a 20 mm radius and sustain 20 million flex cycles without signal loss.
Who should I contact for purchasing and technical support?
Please reach out to Beijing High‑Control Technology (Beijing Gaokong Technology Co., Ltd.), contact Dong Yu at +86 185 1855 6588 for quotes and assistance.
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Buyer questions before ordering
What measurement ranges are available for the MII5730‑AB‑1000?
The encoder supports a 0.3 mm thick metal steel‑strip scale up to 30 m and a glass grating up to 995 mm. Both can be used with the same read head for linear applications.
Can the encoder be used for angular measurement?
Yes, the same read head supports rotary disc gratings, delivering up to ±2.1 arc‑seconds angular accuracy and up to 6000 rpm speed.
Is the device programmable without hardware changes?
All interpolation, output bandwidth, filter cutoff and limit‑switch polarity are set through the SmartPrecision II software and saved in non‑volatile memory, so no rewiring is needed.
What are the environmental certifications?
The encoder complies with CE electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standards and is calibrated against NIST‑traceable laser interferometers.









