Heidenhain has its headquarters in Traunreut, southeast Germany, where a large number of products are produced. The vast majority of encoders and CNC system hardware is developed, processed and completed assembly here. Encoder interfaces and CNC system software are also designed, programmed and tested here. The high quality of Heidehain products comes from special production and measurement equipment. The lithography machines and the machines needed to produce and measure linear and circular encoders are mostly developed and manufactured by Heideham itself. Supplying technical excellence, reliable and customer-friendly products continiously, and a practical orientation are the foundations of Heidenhain's development. Heidenhain works closely with scientific institutions as well as with customers. 

Heidenhain linear encoders has two categories: exposed type and sealed type: exposed type is for high precision. The output waveform is sine wave, which is mainly used for digital transformation of precision instruments. The highest resolution can reach 0.1μm; The sealed type is mainly used for the digital transformation of ordinary machine tools and instruments, and the output waveform is square wave. The exposed sensor consists of two parts: grating ruler and grating reading head. The sealed sensor is composed of grating ruler, grating reading head and shell. Heidenhain linear encoders is classified into three types according to the appearance: small scale, standard scale and large scale. The models of Heidenhain grating ruler are GBC2-B30 (small), GBC2-B10 (standard), GBC2-B20 (large), and the longest size can be 3000mm. Heidenhain linear encoder is widely used in: CNC machining centers, machine tools, grinding machines, milling machines, automatic unloaders, metal plate pressing and welding machines, robots and automation technology, production process measurement machines, linear products, linear motors, linear guide positioning and other fields.

Its main features include:

1. it's the most advanced and reliable optical measurement system, the use of reliable and durable high-precision five-bearing system design can ensure the stability, excellent repeated positioning and high level of measurement accuracy of the optical mechanical system. 

2. The sensor adopts sealed structure which is reliable and easy installation. 

3. The use of special oil resistance, corrosion resistance, high elasticity and anti-aging plastic waterproof provides excellent dust-present and long service life. 

4. Specific high level of anti-interference ability, stable and reliable. 

5. light source using infrared LED, small size and long life. 

6. The use of advanced grating production technology can produce various specifications of high-precision grating glass ruler (up to 3000mm).

The Heidenhain grating line displacement sensor is flexible and can be installed in different parts of the machine tool. Generally, the main ruler is installed on the workbench (skateboard) of the machine tool, and the reading head is fixed on the bed, so that the reading head is installed below the main ruler as far as possible. The choice of the installation method must pay attention to the splashing direction of the chips, cutting fluid and oil. An auxiliary seal must be added if it must be installed with the reading head up due to mounting position constraints. In addition, under normal circumstances, the reading head should be installed on the relative static parts of the machine tool as far as possible, at this time the output wire does not move easily fixed, and the Heidehan grating body should be installed on the relative parts of the machine tool movement (such as skateboard).