Renishaw RGA22 User Manual

User’s guide

M-9531-0297-05-A

RGA22 scale applicator

RSLM high accuracy linear encoder

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Introduction 1

RGA22 Scale Applicator Kit 2

Section 1 Kit contents 2

1.1 Applicator body 2

1.2 Adaptors 2

1.3 Scale guide 2

1.4 Extension handles 2

1.5 Tools and accessories 2

Section 2 Scale installation procedure 3

2.1 Applicator assembly 3

2.2 Axis preparation 3

2.3 Readhead mounting bracket alignment 3

2.4 Scale guide preparation 3

2.5 Scale application 3 -4

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The publication of material within this document does not imply freedom from the patent rights
of Renishaw plc.

Disclaimer

Considerable effort has been made to ensure that the contents of this document are free from inaccuracies
and omissions. However, Renishaw makes no warranties with respect to the contents of this document and
specifically disclaims any implied warranties. Renishaw reserves the right to make changes to this document and
to the product described herein without obligation to notify
any person of such changes.

Trademarks

All brand names and product names used in this document are trade names, service marks,
trademarks, or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Section 3 Adaptor selection 4-5

Section 4 Maintenance 5

Introduction

The RGA22 scale applicator is an installation tool used to lay the RGS20-S and RGS40-S
self-adhesive scale to an axis. The applicator utilises the readhead mountings and uses
the motion of the axis to guarantee that the scale is laid parallel to the axis guideway.

Adaptors are supplied that congure the applicator to all the mounting options of the

RGH22 and RGH41 series readheads.

1

RGA22 Scale applicator kit A-9531-0265

Adaptor, right hand, 11.5 mm offset
M-9531-0191

Adaptor, right hand, 15.5 mm offset
M-9531-0193

Adaptor, left hand, 11.5 mm offset
M-9531-0192

Adaptor, left hand, 15.5 mm offset
M-9531-0194

Hexagon key 2.5 mm

Scale shears

1. Kit contents

Mounting/adjustment screws

Applicator head
A-9531-0288

Scale guide
A-9517-2573

Extension handles

50mm M-9517-2561

100mm M-9517-2562

200mm M-9517-2563

Adaptor mounting

screw

M4 x 6 button head

1.1 Applicator body

The applicator body has a retractable spring loaded plastic plunger that, during operation, applies a

tacking force to the scale. The plunger is raised and lowered by means of the release knob shown

and is held in both positions by detents.

The plunger is retracted for setup purposes and lowered when scale application takes place.

The release knob is shaped in arrowhead form such that if access or view is restricted it is possible

to both determine the position of the plunger and raise or lower it.

1.2 Adaptors

The applicator body is mounted on an adaptor to set the correct offset between the readhead

mounting face and the scale. There are four adaptors in the kit providing conguration for 15.5 mm

and 11.5 mm offsets, and right or left hand operation. The two right hand adaptors should be used

as standard. The left hand adaptors should be used only where access to engage the scale guide

is not possible with the right hand ones.

1.3 Scale guide

The scale guide locates into the applicator head beneath the plunger knob and is retained by

detents. In operation the scale guide guides the scale into the applicator whilst simultaneously

removing the scale backing paper. It is detachable from the applicator body to enable easy loading

of the scale and also incorporates a locking mechanism to prevent the scale falling out during initial

setup. The lock is a pinch roller which is activated by tightening the extension handle. The release

paper is separated from the scale by a blade within the guide and ejected to one side.

Machine bracket
(not supplied)

Extension handle

Figure 1a RGA22 Scale applicator

Scale
guide

Adaptor
bracket

Retracted

Released

Plunger detail

Applicator head

Plunger release
knob

1.4 Extension handles

Three extension handles of different lengths are supplied for optional use to permit access to locate

the scale guide into the applicator in restricted circumstances.

They can be screwed together where particularly long extensions are required.

Hint: If long extensions are required, using the appropriate left hand adaptor may allow

easier scale application.

Caution: When using extension handles, care must be exercised to prevent collision with any

protruding machine parts as they are likely to extend beyond the axis limits.

1.5 Tools and accessories

Shears are supplied to cut the scale to length prior to application.

A 2.5 mm hexagon key and appropriate adaptor mounting screws are also included.

2

2. Scale installation procedure.

Refer to the relevant RGH22 or RGH41 system installation guides for general details of scale

application including: location, orientation, protection and operating environment. Also scale and

mounting surface (substrate) preparation.

2.1 Applicator assembly.

Select an appropriate adaptor, as described in section 3, and attach it to the applicator body using

the screw and hexagon key provided. This will give either 11.5 mm or 15.5 mm offset dimension

from the scale centreline to the mounting face.

2.2 Axis preparation.

Refer to the relevant RGH22 or RGH41 system installation guides for axis preparation details.

Mark a line on the substrate parallel to the axis guideway at the desired position of the scale centreline.

2.3 Readhead mounting bracket alignment.

To lay the scale at a given position using the

RGA22 applicator, it is necessary to set the

machine bracket, on which the readhead mounts,

at the appropriate offset given in 2.1 above,

from the known scale centreline position.

1. Set the machine bracket with 11.5 mm or

15.5 mm offset from scale centreline,

as appropriate, depending upon which

way round the readhead is to be mounted.

This can be done by measurement or

by attaching the assembled applicator to

the machine bracket, locating it into the

readhead setting gauge and adjusting

the position to align the setting gauge

notch over the marked centreline,

see Figure 2a.

2. Adjust the readhead mounting bracket

to ensure that the readhead mounting

face is square to the scale’s mounting

surface and parallel to the axis guideway

within the tolerances shown in Figure 2a.

Notch aligns with
scale centre-line

Scale
centre-line
mark

Machine bracket

15.5- Adaptor M- 9531-0193

11.5-Adaptor M-9531-0191

F- Axis guideway





Adaptor

Figure 2a Applicator set-up

Readhead
setting gauge

0.1 F

*0.5 - 1.0

0.1 5

*

2.4 Scale guide preparation

1. Cut scale to the required length and feed into
the scale guide slot. The scale prole is
symmetrical, therefore it can be applied

Scale

Release
paper

either way round.

Hint: To ensure that the scale backing paper

engages in the splitter blade, carefully roll
back the leading 5-10 mm and then
re-attach. Do not fold the backing paper
as this will prevent correct engagement

2. Feed the scale as far as point X,(Figure 2b),

Scale guide

checking that the backing paper is removed
correctly by the feeding action.

3. If required, lock scale at this position
by tting and lightly tightening the
extension handle as shown.

‘Lock’

Figure 2b Scale insertion

Extension handle

Do not use excessive torque as this
could damage the scale guide or scale face.

2.5 Scale application

1. Move the axis to the start of travel, noting direction of scale application.

2. Turn plunger release knob to the UP position to ensure that applicator plunger is retracted.

3. Engage the scale guide into the applicator head

until the detent clicks

(see Figure 2c).

Extension

handle

‘unlock’

Limit of

travel

Limit stop

20

X

End of
scale mark

Plunger release knob

‘UP’-retracted

Figure 2c Scale positioning

Start of
measuring length

3

4. If tted, release the scale lock by backing off the extension handle one turn minimum.

There is no need to remove the handle.

9. Carefully remove applicator head and place all applicator components in the protective case

supplied for storage.

5. Manually feed the scale until the leading edge aligns with the ‘end of scale’ mark as shown.

6. Release the applicator plunger by turning knob to DOWN position.

This will lightly attach the end of the scale to the substrate.

7. As shown in Figure 2d, traverse axis through

full travel at a steady slow speed to adhere

scale to substrate while simultaneously

ejecting the backing paper.

Caution: During scale application:

Direction of scale

application

Do not:

- move the axis in reverse direction

at any time.

- pull backing paper away

(to avoid tearing).

Do:

- move axis at a steady slow speed.

- guide the backing paper away to

Do not pull

release paper

ensure smooth ejection.

- stop at any time if desired.

Figure 2d Scale laying

8. At limit of travel, the remaining scale will probably

still be engaged in the scale guide.

Lock the axis and manually withdraw scale guide

from the scale applicator head, (see Figure 2e).

If an extension handle has been used,

it can be removed before withdrawing

scale guide, or afterwards if access

is restricted.

The remaining backing paper

will be completely removed.

The axis is now free to move

Withdraw

scale guide clear of

remaining scale

20

min

in either direction allowing

access to the whole

scale length.

Figure 2e Scale guide removal

Readhead

optical centre-line

at limit of travel

Do not
move in
reverse

direction

10. Apply rm nger pressure along the full length of the scale from the centre out, to ensure

complete adhesion.

NOTE: Once installed, the scale cannot be re-used; removal and reapplication is likely
to adversely affect subsequent scale performance and operational reliability.

3. Adaptor selection

Readhead

mounting face

11.5

Scale

centre-line

Figure 3a Adaptor selection - right hand adaptors

M4 button

head screw

The correct adaptor will be determined

by the chosen readhead mounting option

giving either 15.5 mm or 11.5 mm offset

from the scale centreline to readhead

Readhead

mounting

mounting face.

The applicator kit contains all adaptors,

but left hand adaptors should be used

only where access using the right hand

ones make installation difcult

11.5

(see Figures 3a and 3b).

Refer to Figure 3c for installation offsets

and direction of application details.

Figure 3b Adaptor selection - left hand adaptors

15.5

M-9531-0191

face

Scale centre-line

M-9531-0194

15.5

M-9531-0192

M4 cap head screw

M-9531-0193

4

Figure 3c Scale installation direction using right and left hand adaptors

15.5

15.5

M-9531-0193

M-9531-0194

M-9531-0191

Offset

dimension

11.5

11.5

Direction

of

scale application

Machine

bracket

M-9531-0192

Figure 3c shows direction of scale installation for all adaptor options and scale centreline offsets.

If any intermediate brackets are to be used to mount the readhead then these must also be

assembled when attaching the applicator.

4. Maintenance

The applicator has few moving parts and requires only periodic cleaning to ensure reliable operation.

Clean the guide slot and splitter blade of the scale guide by washing thoroughly in alcohol and

clearing with a clean air-line.

The plunger face should be inspected before use to ensure it is free of any sharp particles that may

scratch or damage the scale surface during application.

Lubrication of the moving parts is unnecessary and should be avoided to prevent possible

contamination of the scale adhesive tape during use. However, after repeated use the scale guide

forks may benet from an occasional and very slight application of grease to ease engagement.

The splitter blade is not sharp and therefore will not require routine maintenance. Using a low power

magnier inspect the blade for nicks and burrs that could cause tearing of the release paper. If any

such damage is detected, the complete applicator should be returned to Renishaw for overhaul.

5

Renishaw plc

New Mills, Wotton-under-Edge
Gloucestershire, GL12 8JR
United Kingdom

T [phone]
F [phone]
E [e-mail]

www.renishaw.com

For worldwide contact details,please visit our main website at

www.renishaw.com/contact

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PUBLICATION BUT MAKES NO WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS REGARDING THE CONTENT. RENISHAW EXCLUDES LIABILITY,
HOWSOEVER ARISING, FOR ANY INACCURACIES IN THIS DOCUMENT.

© 1997-2019 Renishaw plc. All rights reserved.
Renishaw reserves the right to change specifications without notice.

RENISHAW and the probe symbol used in the RENISHAW logo are registered trade marks of Renishaw plc in the United Kingdom and other countries.
apply innovation and names and designations of other Renishaw products and technologies are trade marks of Renishaw plc or its subsidiaries.

All other brand names and product names used in this document are trade names, trade marks or registered trade marks of their respective owners.

*M-9531-0297-05*

Part no.: M-9531-0297-05-A

Issued: 11.2019