www.rsf.

at

MSA 7, MSA 8
SEALED LINEAR ENCODERS
INCREMENTAL AND ABSOLUTE LINEAR AND ANGLE ENCODERS,
PRECISION GRADUATIONS
RSF Elektronik is one of the world's leading companies in the field of electronic linear and angle encoders and it offers an extensive
portfolio which includes almost all designs which are required by the market. The typical resolutions or measuring steps range from a
few micrometers down to the nanometre range.

RSF Elektronik, corporate head quarters Tarsdorf, Austria

RSF Elektronik, manufacturing subsidiary Stříbro, Czech Republic

Another core element of the product range are high-precision and resistant graduations which are manufactured in thin-layer technology
on glass or other carrier substrates. RSF Elektronik also develops customized cable devices for the widest range of sectors and areas of
application, and these are manufactured by the Stříbro subsidiary. In order to safeguard the company's high quality standard, a comprehen-
sive quality assurance and environmental management system – certified according to DIN EN ISO 9001 and DIN EN ISO 14001 – has been
put in place. Thanks to the company's extensive distribution network, optimum customer service is guaranteed in practically all regions.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
GENERAL DESCRIPTION Design and operation........................................................................................... 04

TECHNICAL INFORMATION Accuracy................................................................................................................ 06

Connection cables, shielding, connectors, pin assignments .......................... 07
Interfaces .............................................................................................................. 08
Switch signal output ............................................................................................ 09

OVERVIEW Overview, selection guide .................................................................................... 10

Technical data ...................................................................................................... 11

LINEAR ENCODERS, MODELS MSA 770, MSA 870 .............................................................................................. 12

MSA 710, MSA 810 .............................................................................................. 13
MSA 720, MSA 820 .............................................................................................. 14
MSA 730, MSA 830 .............................................................................................. 15

DISTRIBUTION CONTACTS Addresses.............................................................................................................. 16

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DESIGN AND OPERATION
Linear encoders from RSF Eletronik are all-purpo- Drip caps at the scale housing and specially switch signals for an additional position detec-
se. They are suited for manual applications; yet formed sealing lips prevent the intrusion of dust tion or enable a selection of reference marks.
they are also particularly suitable for closed loop and liquids into the extrusion. The fiber-rein- They are activated by magnets that can be op-
drive devices. forced sealing lips are highly abrasion-resistant. tionally positioned in any way on the extrusion
High velocities are feasible due to the high de- by the customer. The evaluation electronics are
Owing to their sealed design, the linear encoders gree of rigidity of the unit, coupled with the ideal- positioned in the reading carriage, generating
of the MSA 7 and MSA 8 series are predestined ly formed blade area of the reading head. the evaluation signals (e.g. 1 Vpp or TTL).
for applications in automation and production
technology. They are ideally suited for metrolo- The scale is fastened by dint of a flexible adhe- Thanks to the design of the reading carriage
gy, printing and robotics, especially in applicati- sive film in the scale housing, which compensa- alignment deviations between extrusion and
ons where protection for the scale and reading tes for the differing linear expansion between machine guide are evened out. It rolls by dint of
head is required. the glass or glass ceramics and the aluminum. high-precision roller bearings on the scale and is
Thus a reproducible thermal behavior is ensu- pressed down by magnets that affect the ferro-
MSA 7 and MSA 8 represent a systematic ad- red (expansion or shortening of the scale to the magnetic tapes on the extrusion (magnet gui-
vancement of tried-and-tested devices and scale housing in case of temperature changes). de). By mounting within the tolerance there are
feature improved design details. During develop- The scale can additionally be fixed in the scale no forces between reading head and extrusion
ment, RSF Elektronik paid particular attention to housing in order to adjust the thermal zero point that could stress guide parts of the linear axis.
the optimization of the accuracy of these devi- to each measuring requirement. Expansion Moreover, the extrusion is not subjected to any
ces. We achieved this goal thanks to the perfect differences between aluminum scale housing bending strain.
combination of several individual components. and machine slide are evened out by flexible
Furthermore, the components that are subject fastening elements. The high accuracy of the In the measuring direction, the reading carriage
to more stress have been optimized to increase measuring scale is the result of a sophisticated is connected by a wear-free and maintenance-
system accuracy over the longer term. lithographic process. A consistently accurate free magnetic coupling. A ferromagnetic ball
reproduction of the original measuring scale rolling freely between two magnetic plates
Measuring devices are made up of two com- forms the basis for the manufacture of the high- makes for a connection that is very stiff in the
ponents: the extrusion and reading head. Pre- ly accurate scales in RSF Elektronik measuring measuring direction, yet flexible in all other de-
ferably, the extrusion is to be mounted on the devices. grees of freedom, minimizing the reversal error.
moveable part of the linear axis, and the reading Thus any deviation (within the tolerance) will be
head to the fixed part (cable duct) of the linear Depending on the model, the reading head is evened out by the ideal mounting of the measu-
axis. available with a fixed or detachable cable. The rement device.
reading carriage includes a reticle and optoelec-
The extrusion consists of a stable aluminum tronics for signal generation. Hall-sensors are The combination of magnetic guide and magnetic
scale housing, fastening elements, a scale and integrated in the reading head, which generate coupling allows for generous mounting toleran-
sealing lips. ces without any negative influence on accuracy.
Hence substantial benefits are achieved in com-
parison to traditional technologies.

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A high accuracy grating is deployed as scale

Scale unit
graduation. Depending on the model, glass
(α ≈ 8,5 x 10-6/K) or glass ceramics (α ≈ 0 x 10-6/K)
is employed as base.

The grating is the consistent series of lines and

spaces. The width of one line and one space is
called a grating period (T).

Parallel to the grating, there are one or more

reference marks on a second track. Within the
measuring length, any position is possible and
additional reference marks can be chosen at will
in a distance of 50 mm.

Linear encoders can also be equipped with

distance-coded reference marks. After traveling a
distance of 20 mm at maximum, the absolute tool
position is available with these models.By dint of
the optical scanning, a position-accurate evaluation
of the reference marks is ensured.

These incremental linear encoders work according Transmissive singlefield scanning

to a photoelectric measuring principle with a
transmissive singlefield scanning.

The regulated light of an infrared LED is collimated

by a condenser lens, passes through the grid of
the reticle and the scale and generates a periodic
intensity distribution on the structured sensor.
Amplitude A2

The sensor generates sinusoidal signals of the

highest quality that prove to be widely insensitive
to possible contaminations, which can never be
entirely ruled out despite all technical precautions.

The regulation of the LED ensures a constant

signal amplitude, guaranteeing stability in the Amplitude A1
case of temperature fluctuations as well as with
long-run operation.

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ACCURACY
The accuracy of the linear encoders is classified with a „± tolerance“ in µm/m (e.g. ±5 µm/m).

The accuracy refers to any meter within the measuring length.

For measuring lengths less than 1000 mm, the accuracy specification applies to the whole measuring length.

For best system accuracy, the encoder should be mounted near the measuring plane,
as parallel as possible to the machine guideway.

Example of a typical calibration chart for MSA 770 :

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CONNECTING CABLE, SHIELDING

Connecting cable MSA 7
Graduated cable lengths: 0.5 m, 1 m, 3 m (other lengths on request). Shielded PUR-cable;
Drag chain qualified.

Bending radius
fixed mounting

Bending radius
continuous flexing

Detachable connecting cable MSA 8

Graduated cable lengths: 0.5 m, 1 m, 3 m (other lengths on request). Shielded PUR-cable;
Drag chain qualified.

Bending radius
fixed mounting

Bending radius
continuous flexing

MALE CONNECTORS, PIN ASSIGNMENTS

D-sub connector, 15-pin Dimensions
(Male, 15-pin, mass: 25 g)
Pin assignment
View on pins

Pin 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Sinusoidal voltage
signals 1 Vpp
Occupied 0V
Sensor
Occupied RI− A2− A1− V+
Sensor
V+ 0V S1
* S2
* RI+ A2+ A1+
nc

TTL-signals Occupied 0V
Sensor
US RI T2 T1 V+
Sensor
V+ 0V S1
* S2
* RI T2 T1 nc

M12 connector, 12-pin Dimensions

(Male, 12-pin, mass: ca. 15 g)
Pin assignment
View on pins
according to IEC 61076-2-101 LM012–Gxx-A

Pin 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Sinusoidal voltage signals

V+ A1− A2+ A2− S2* Occupied RI+ RI− Occupied A1+ S1* 0V
1 Vpp

TTL-signals V+ T1 T2 T2 S2* US RI RI Occupied T1 S1* 0V

ƒ Sensor: the sensor pins are bridged in the chassis with the particular power supply.
ƒ * Version without switch signals (version K) = nc.
ƒ Shield is connected with the chassis.
ƒ Pins or wires marked “occupied” or “nc” must not be used by the customer.
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INTERFACES

SINUSOIDAL VOLTAGE SIGNALS 1 VPP Voltage signals (1 Vss)

(drawing shows “positive counting direction”)
Two sinusoidal voltage signals A1 and A2 and one reference mark signal
(all with inverted signals).

Power supply: +5 V ±10 %, max. 150 mA (unloaded)

Track signals (differential voltage A1+ to A1− resp. A2+ to A2−):
Signal amplitude 0.6 Vpp to 1.2 Vpp; typ. 1 Vpp
(with terminating impedance Zo = 120 Ω between A1+ to A1− resp. A2+ to A2−)

Reference mark (differential voltage RI+ to RI−):

Square-wave pulse with an amplitude of 0.5 to 0.9 V; typ. 0.7 V
(with terminating impedance Zo = 120 Ω between RI+ to RI−)

Advantage:
High traversing speed with long cable lengths possible.

SQUARE-WAVE SIGNALS
(drawing shows “positive counting direction”)
Square-wave signals „differential“
With integrated interpolation electronics (for times -5, -10, -25 or -50) the photoelement output
signals are converted into two square-wave signals that have a phase shift of 90°. The output
signals are “differential” via line driver (RS 422). The measuring step equates to the distance
between two edges of the square-wave signals.

The controls/DROs must be able to detect each edge of the square-wave signals. The minimum
edge separation amin is listed in the technical data and refers to a measurement at the output
of the interpolator (inside the reading head). Propagation-time differences in the line driver, the
cable and the line receiver reduce the edge separation.

Propagation-time differences:
Line driver: max. 10 ns
Cable: 0.2 ns/m
Line receiver: max. 10 ns (referred to the recommended line receiver circuit)

To prevent counting errors, the controls/DROs must be able to process

the resulting edge separation.

Exapmle:
amin = 125 ns, 10 m cable
125 ns - 10 ns - 10 x 0.2 ns - 10 ns = 103 ns

Power supply: +5 V ±10 %, max. 180 mA (unloaded)

Advantages:
- Noise immune signals
- No further subdividing electronics necessary

Recommended line receiver „Positive counting direction“

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SWITCH SIGNAL OUTPUT

According to factory default setting the actuator magnets are placed at the beginning (S1) and at the end (S2) of measuring length.
The magnets can be moved by the customer.

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OVERVIEW, SELECTION GUIDE

Linear encoders MSA 7x0 are equipped with

MSA 7X0
a fixed connecting cable.
Alternatively RSF offers MSA 8x0 with ƒ Small cross-section
a detachable connecting cable.
ƒ Max. measuring length: 1240 mm
The models MSA 7x0 and MSA 8x0 are ƒ Fixed connecting cable
characterized by a considerably improved ƒ System height: 46 mm resp. 54 mm
thermal behavior.
Flexible fastening elements at the scale unit
compensate repeatably the length-extension
resp. -contraction, which appears due to
temperature variations at the machine.

With a fixed fastening element (left side, MSA 8X0

middle or right side) a datum-point (thermal
fixed-point) is defined. ƒ Small cross-section
Additionally it is also possible to fix the scale
inside of the extrusion.
ƒ Max. measuring length: 1240 mm
ƒ Detachable connecting cable
ƒ System height: 49 mm resp. 57 mm

= Fixed fastening element = Flexible fastening element = Additional fixed-point of the scale in the extrusion

MSA X70

ƒ Mounting holes at the ends

ƒ Fixed fastening elements MSA 770, MSA 870 Page 08

MSA X10

ƒ Fixed mounting-point left

ƒ Flexible fastening element right
MSA 710, MSA 810 Page 09

MSA X20

ƒ Fixed mounting-point centered

ƒ Flexible fastening element left and right
MSA 720, MSA 820 Page 10

MSA X30

ƒ Fixed mounting-point right

ƒ Flexible fastening element left
MSA 730, MSA 830 Page 11

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TECHNICAL DATA MSA 7x0, MSA 8x0

READING HEAD
Model MSA 7x0 MSA 7x0 MSA 7x0 MSA 7x0 MSA 7x0
MSA 8x0 MSA 8x0 MSA 8x0 MSA 8x0 MSA 8x0
Interface 1 Vpp TTLx5 TTLx10 TTLx25 TTLx50
Depending on external
Measuring step interpolation 1.0 µm 0.5 µm 0.2 µm 0.1 µm

Signal period 20 µm -- -- -- --

Integrated interpolation -- Times 5 Times 10 Times 25 Times 50

Max. velocity 2.0 m/s 2.0 m/s 1.96 m/s 0.78 m/s 0.78 m/s
Max. output frequency 100 kHz -- -- -- --
Edge separation amin -- 250 ns 250 ns 250 ns 125 ns
Electrical connection Cable, 0.5 m, 1 m or 3 m mit D-sub connector 15-pin or M12 connector 12-pin
ƒ Sinusoidal voltage signals 1 Vpp: +5 V ±10 %
Voltage supply
ƒ Square-wave signals via line driver : +5 V ±10 %
ƒ Sinusoidal voltage signals 1 Vpp: 825 mW (without load)
Power consumption max.
ƒ Square-wave signals via line driver : 990 mW (without load)
ƒ Sinusoidal voltage signals 1 Vpp: 150 mA (without load)
Current consumption typ.
ƒ Square-wave signals via line driver : 180 mA (without load)
Vibration 55 Hz – 2000 Hz 100 m/s2
Shock 8 ms 200 m/s2
Operating temperature 0 °C to 50 °C
Storage temperature −20 °C to 70 °C
ƒ MSA 7x0: 50 g (without cable)
Mass reading head ƒ MSA 8x0: 65 g (without cable)
ƒ Cable: 30 g/m, connector: D-sub connector: 28 g, M12 connector: 15 g

GRADUATION CARRIER
70, 120, 170, 220, 270, 320, 370, 420, 470, 520, 570, 620, 670, 720,
Standard measuring lengths (ML): [mm]
770, 820, 870, 920, 970, 1040, 1140, 1240 (other measuring lengths on request)
ƒ Glass scale (α ≈ 8.5 x 10-6/K), grating period: 20 µm
Graduation carrier
ƒ Glass ceramic scale (α ≈ 0 x 10 -6/K), grating period: 20 µm
ƒ ±5 µm/m
Accuracy grades (at 20 °C)
ƒ ±3 µm/m
ƒ Distance-coded reference marks
Location of the reference marks (RI): ƒ One reference mark in the middle of the ML
ƒ Up to ML 970 mm: 35 mm from left and right; from ML 1040 mm: 45 mm from left and right
Required moving force ƒ With standard sealing lips (NBR): < 2.0 N
Environmental protection EN 60529 ƒ With standard sealing lips (NBR): IP 53
Mass scale spar (approx.) ƒ MSA 7xx , MSA 8xx: 75 g + 0.57 g/mm (ML)

CONFORMITIES AND CERTIFICATIONS

RoHS 2011/65/EU, 2015/863/EU
EMV 2014/30/EU
Product-Certifications UL, CSA, EN, IEC 61010-1

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MSA 770, MSA 870

MSA 770

MSA 870

Dimensions, mounting tolerances MSA 770:

Dimensions, mounting tolerances MSA 870:

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MSA 710, MSA 810

MSA 710

MSA 810

Dimensions, mounting tolerances 710:

Dimensions, mounting tolerances 810:

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MSA 720, MSA 820

MSA 720

MSA 820

Dimensions, mounting tolerances MSA 720:

Dimensions, mounting tolerances MSA 820:

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MSA 730, MSA 830

MSA 730

MSA 830

Dimensions, mounting tolerances MSA 730:

Dimensions, mounting tolerances MSA 830:

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 DISTRIBUTION CONTACTS

AUSTRIA RSF Elektronik Ges.m.b.H. A-5121 Tarsdorf 93 +43 62 78 81 92-0 e-mail: [email protected]
+43 62 78 81 92-79 internet: www.rsf.at
Corporate Head Quarters

BELGIUM HEIDENHAIN NV/SA Pamelse Klei 47 +32 (54) 34 3158 e-mail: [email protected]
1760 Roosdaal +32 (54) 34 3173 internet: www.heidenhain.be

FRANCE HEIDENHAIN FRANCE sarl 2 Avenue de la Christallerie +33 1 41 14 30 00 e-mail: [email protected]

92310 Sèvres +33 1 41 14 30 30 internet: www.heidenhain.fr

GREAT BRITAIN HEIDENHAIN (GB) Ltd. 200 London Road +44 1444 247711 e-mail: [email protected]
Burgess Hill +44 1444 870024 internet: www.heidenhain.co.uk
West Sussex RH15 9RD

ITALY HEIDENHAIN ITALIANA S.r.l. Via Asiago, 14 +39 02 27075-1 e-mail: [email protected]

20128 Milan +39 02 27075-210 internet: www.heidenhain.it

NETHERLANDS HEIDENHAIN NEDERLAND B.V. Copernicuslaan 34 +31 318-581800 e-mail: [email protected]

6716 BM EDE   +31 318-581870 internet: www.heidenhain.nl

SPAIN FARRESA ELECTRONICA S.A Les Corts 36-38 +34 93 4 092 491 e-mail: [email protected]
08028 Barcelona   + 34 93 3 395 117 internet: www.farresa.es

SWEDEN HEIDENHAIN Scandinavia AB Storsätragränd 5 +46 8 531 933 50 e-mail: [email protected]

SE-12739 Skärholmen +46 8 531 933 77 internet: www.heidenhain.se

SWITZERLAND HEIDENHAIN (SCHWEIZ) AG Vieristrasse 14 +41 44 806 27 27 e-mail: [email protected]

8603 Schwerzenbach +41 44 806 27 28 internet: www.heidenhain.ch

CHINA DR. JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN Tian Wei San Jie, Area A, +86 10 80 42-0000 e-mail: [email protected]
Beijing Tianzhu Airport Industrial Zone internet: www.heidenhain.com.cn
(CHINA) Co., Ltd
Shunyi District, Beijing 101312

ISRAEL MEDITAL Hi-Tech 36 Shacham St., P.O.Box 7772 +972 0 3 923 33 23 e-mail: [email protected]
4951729 Petach Tikva +972 0 3 923 16 66 internet: www.medital.co.il

JAPAN HEIDENHAIN K.K. Hulic Kojimachi Bldg., +81 3 3234 7781 e-mail: [email protected]
9F 3-2 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku +81 3 3262 2539 internet: www.heidenhain.co.jp
Tokyo, 102-0083

KOREA HEIDENHAIN LTD. 75, Jeonpa-ro 24beon-gil, +82 31 380 5200 e-mail: [email protected]
Manan-gu, Anyang-si +82 31 380 5250 internet: www.rsf.co.kr
14087 Gyeonggi-do

SINGAPORE HEIDENHAIN PACIFIC PTE LTD. 51, Ubi Crescent +65 67 49 32 38 e-mail: [email protected]
408593 Singapore +65 67 49 39 22 internet: www.heidenhain.com.sg

TAIWAN HEIDENHAIN CO., LTD. No. 29, 33rd Road;  +886 4 2358 89 77 e-mail: [email protected]
Taichung Industrial Park  +886 4 2358 89 78 internet: www.heidenhain.com.tw
Taichung 40768

USA HEIDENHAIN CORPORATION 333 East State Parkway +1 847 490 11 91 e-mail: [email protected]
Schaumburg, IL 60173-5337 internet: www.heidenhain.com

Date 10/2022  Art.No.1340379-01  Doc.No. D1340379-01-C-01  Technical adjustments in reserve!

Linear and Angle Encoders Certified acc. to

Precision Graduations ISO 9001
ISO 14001
Ges.m.b.H.
A-5121 Tarsdorf  +43 (0)6278 / 8192-0  +43 (0)6278 / 8192-79  e-mail: [email protected]  internet: www.rsf.at