The Next Generation Mercury 3000 & 2000
Smart Programmable Encoder Systems Are
Tougher Than Ever

Ideal For Noisy Industrial Applications
MicroE Systems, manufacturer of the world’s smallest high performance encoder systems, announced today the availability of its new 3000 and 2000 Smart Programmable encoder systems. Direct replacements for the M3100 and M2100 kit encoders, these encoders have superior noise immunity required for demanding industrial applications and the resolution for nanometer-level positioning. According to Michael Fitts, VP Marketing, “Our customers wanted best-in-class noise immunity and we delivered... plus we added even more features and flexibility than the preceding models.”

The new Mercury 3000 and 2000 encoder systems feature the smallest sensor in the industry, revolutionary bolt in alignment for many applications and high-speed high-resolution performance for critical positioning feedback. These new encoders are CE compliant as well. In addition, Mercury’s redesigned interpolator module is now the smallest in the industry. Measuring just 2 inches square, Mercury gives designers another Best-in-Class size advantage over competitive encoders. But that‘s just the beginning.

Mercury Encoder Systems Improve System Performance 4 Ways

1) Programmable Interpolation And Output Speed
Adds Unparalleled Flexibility

The Mercury 3000 and 2000 are the only available encoder systems that enable engineers to optimize motion platform performance in real time. Using MicroE’s exclusive SmartPrecision Software system, users can set the depth of interpolation in integer steps as well as output speed for the SmartPrecision electronics module. For the M3000 the interpolation depth ranges from x1 to x1024, with maximum resolution of 20 nanometers or 0.020um. For the M2000, maximum interpolation is x256 yielding resolution of 78 nanometers or 0.078um. With M3000 and M2000 encoders engineers can forget about the performance constraints of fixed or factory-set interpolation levels and the external gadgetry needed to correct signal integrity. Mercury does this automatically.

2) Smallest Sensor and Interpolator Electronics

Mercury Footprint vs Competitive
Encoder Sensors

Mercury’s tiny microphotonic sensor makes it the smallest 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 half 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.

3) Highest Performance and Easiest Alignment
Today’s engineers need to improve system performance and reduce costs at the same time. Mercury encoder systems deliver that performance with blazing speed: 7.2 m/s speed at full resolution with the serial word interface. (Model M3000Si).

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 4 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.

4) Exclusive SmartPrecision Software
MicroE’s optional SmartPrecision software gives engineers the tools to assess encoder performance in real time 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 and to match the new controller.