Debuting at SemiconWest, the new Mercury 3500 5-nanometer resolution encoder received enthusiastic and wide-ranging praise from OEM designers. The reasons were simple. The M3500 has the positioning resolution needed to process next-generation chip geometries with plenty of resolution to spare. A number of attendees commented that the M3500 could extend system platform life well into the future. In addition, the tiny sensor enables the use of smaller, lighter motion stages. And that can cut system costs, reduce equipment size and improve overall throughput.

According to Michael Fitts, VP of marketing "The show was a real surprise for us. It proved to be rich with active prospects in the Front-End as well as in our traditional stronghold which is the Back-End part of the show." Engineers cited the industry slow-down as their chance to redouble their efforts on next generation system designs. Fitts added, "Our product line attracted considerable attention, especially the Mercury 3500 and our Vacuum encoders. Tiny sensor size, easy alignment and high resolution were the key reasons."

The new Mercury 3500, like MicroE's other programmable encoders, features the newly redesigned all-metal SmartPrecision electronics module. This interpolator module is the smallest in the industry. At just 2" square it provides programmable interpolation in integer steps from x4 to x4096. It also provides "Best-in-class" noise immunity for harsh industrial environments. When combined with our optional SmartPrecision software, designers can control depth of interpolation as well as output frequency. In addition, there are alarms, diagnostics and a variety of readouts.

M3500 Features at a glance
Smallest sensor- 1/3 the size of the smallest competitive encoders

Revolutionary bolt-in alignment for many applications

Advanced SmartPrecision electronics built into a shielded D-sub connector

A-quad-B output with programmable interpolation in integer steps for
resolutions to 5nm (linear); 67.1M CPR (rotary)

LED setup indicators for sensor alignment and index location

Bi-directional index signal is repeatable to 1 LSB

New metal enclosure for SmartPrecision™ electronics
) Best-in-Class noise immunity for harsh environments
) Shorter length for smaller, tighter cabinets
) Frame mounting compatible for easy installation
) Robust metal housing with easy access locking screws

Double shielded long life cable

1) Smallest Sensor and Interpolator Electronics

Mercury Footprint vs Competitive
Encoder Sensors

Mercury’s tiny microphotonic sensor makes it the smallest high performance sensor in the industry. In the critical Z dimension, the Mercury sensor is 1/2 the height of competitive encoders. And it’s less than 1/5th the volume! In addition, the same sensor works for both linear and rotary applications. With the Mercury sensor, designers can collapse motion platform size and reduce total platform weight. That means they can use smaller, lower cost motors to drive their platform while also improving system performance. This tiny sensor opens up exciting new design possibilities.

2) Highest Performance and Easiest Alignment

The Mercury series also offers bolt-in alignment capability in many applications thanks to its relaxed tolerances- a full 2 degrees in the theta Z axis. That’s 3 times the alignment flexibility of the closest competitive encoder. In addition, no external test gear is required to align the sensor. LED indicators on the SmartPrecision electronics module show you when you are aligned and when you have established an index. Now virtually anyone can install and align an encoder with no external test gear or special training.

3) Programmable Interpolation And Output Speed
Adds Unparalleled Flexibility

The Mercury 3500 is the highest resolution programmable encoder. Using MicroE’s exclusive SmartPrecision Software system, users can set the depth of interpolation in integer steps as well as output frequency. The interpolation depth ranges from x4 to x4096, with maximum resolution of 5 nanometers or 0.005um.

4) Exclusive SmartPrecision Software

MicroE’s optional SmartPrecision software gives engineers the tools to assess encoder performance for initial motion loop tuning and for system monitoring over time. In addition to initial setup of interpolation depth, SmartPrecision software generates graphical displays of signal strength, Lissajous plots, as well as position and velocity data and output speed. It can even be used for data capture and displaying alarms. And if you change to a faster controller at a later date, you can reprogram the output bandwidth to match the new controller.