The Mercury encoder family from MicroE Systems keeps on growing. With 15 models, Mercury's capabilities now span an even wider performance range. OEM engineers can select the encoder model that is just right for their application while enjoying the performance improvements only Mercury encoder systems can deliver. Select from programmable, digital, analog and vacuum models. Simply stated, Mercury encoders are smaller, faster and smarter than any other encoders on the market.

The Mercury Encoder Advantages
Start with our sensor. It's the smallest high-performance device available. It directly addresses the trend toward equipment miniaturization and cost reduction. Mercury's small sensor size has the potential to open new markets for your designs. For example, combine our 12mm rotary scale with the M3500 encoder and you have a tiny system that delivers over 6.7 million CPR. And small motion platforms require smaller motors and cost less to build, so the total cost can be lower.

The Mercury family covers linear resolutions ranging from 5 nanometers to 5 microns. Rotary resolutions range from 6,600 CPR to 67.2 million CPR. What's more, the same-sensor operates in rotary and linear applications.

All mercury encoders are based on MicroE System's patented SmartPrecision electronics and PurePrecision optics technologies. This gives Mercury encoders the advantages of programmability, miniature sensor size, broad alignment tolerances for easy setup, accuracy enhancement, optical index, plus an extremely wide range of operating resolutions and speeds.

15 Mercury Encoder Models to Choose from

Smart Programmable Encoders
The Mercury family includes 5 programmable encoders: M3500Si, M3500, M3000Si, M3000 and M2000. These systems allow programmable interpolation in integer steps, programmable output frequency, alarms, LED alignment indicators and automatic setup. Resolutions are to 5µm to 5nm with our 20µm pitch scale.
Where operating requirements demand the highest speed and highest resolution, select our M3500Si or M3000Si models. These encoders deliver 7.2m/s speed at a maximum resolution of 5nm or 20nm respectively. Our high-speed serial interface makes it possible.
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Digital Output Encoders
Customers requiring a simplified digital output encoder can select our M1500S or M1500H encoders. These systems perform interpolation in the sensor electronics and may be ordered with factory-set x4, x8, x20 or x40 interpolation. Equivalent linear resolutions are 5µm, 2.5µm, 0.5µm, 1.0µm or 6,600 CPR to 655,360 CPR depending on scale diameter. The S and H suffixes refer to the connector. The M1500S uses a standard 15 pin D-sub connector. The M1500H uses a 10 pin micro connector for tight spaces.
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Analog Output Encoders
For motion control designs using your interpolation electronics, the M1000 and M1200 analog output encoders are the right solution. They offer resolutions from 20µm to 0.078µm with our 20µm pitch scales. The M1000 sensor mounts on a bracket while the M1200 mounts directly to a PC board.
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Vacuum Compatible Encoders
Vacuum compatible performance is available when specifying the M3500VSi, M3500V, M3000V, M2000V and M1000V encoders. These encoder systems offer the same resolution as their atmospheric counterparts, but are supplied with ported sensors and are constructed of vacuum-rated materials rated to 10-8 Torr. The sensors are supplied with single-shielded vacuum cables that can be terminated in any style vacuum connector the customer specifies.
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Custom Encoder Solutions
The Mercury encoder platform was designed for maximum flexibility. It can be tailored to meet your application requirements if the standard models are not appropriate. OEM inquiries are invited.
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The Mercury Encoder Technology Advantage
Our PurePrecision™ optical design gives you flexibility, a high fidelity signal and a wide resolution range. It uses the diffraction of reflected light to its advantage to create a sensor with a very shallow, very wide detection plane. The result, Mercury sensors are ½ the height, 1/10 the volume and a fraction of the weight of other encoders. And one sensor design works in both linear and rotary applications.

PurePrecision optics gives our Mercury encoder sensors an alignment tolerance advantage as well. Mercury encoders can be aligned in under 30 seconds. In many cases our sensor can be mounted to a reference surface and it will operate without further adjustment.

Scalability is the third major advantage. Because our signal can be interpolated to extreme levels, Mercury encoders can meet every resolution requirement, from micron to nanometer level.

SmartPrecision Electronics For easy Encoder Setup
To complement MicroE Systems patented optical design, our engineering team made Mercury encoders easy to setup. SmartPrecision electronics was the solution. As the name implies, it has many programmable and automated capabilities. With SmartPrecision electronics, interpolation and output frequency are user selectable. Alignment is accomplished using the integral LED indicators so no external test gear is needed. Accuracy and repeatability enhancement as well as index setup are automatic. And like our encoder sensor, the SmartPrecision interpolator module the smallest in the industry.

Velocity vs. Position plot

Lissajous plot

Signal Strength vs. Position plot

SmartPrecision Software For Unmatched Flexibility
Perhaps the most novel technical achievement is our SmartPrecision software system. SmartPrecision encoder software is a graphical control panel that lets users set interpolation for the desired resolution and output frequency to match their controller. Users can monitor encoder signal strength absolutely or graphically as a Lissajous plot. What's more, they can view encoder position vs. velocity, set alarms or collect data for diagnostics and encoder performance analysis. Nothing else comes close.
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