Product Overview
MONORAIL AMS 3B is a high-precision roller linear guideway with an integrated magneto-resistive measuring system. Position measurement functionality is directly integrated into the guideway system, eliminating the need for external optical or magnetic scales, simplifying mechanical design and improving system reliability.
System Features
- Integrated Guidance and Measurement - Guideway and measuring system combined, no external linear encoder required
- Roller Guidance Technology - MR series roller guideway technology for high rigidity and load capacity
- Magneto-Resistive Measuring Principle - Contamination resistant, maintenance-free, suitable for harsh environments
- Incremental Output - Provides 1 Vpp analog or TTL/RS422 digital signals
- High Resolution - Basic signal period 200 μm, subdivides to sub-micron level
- Reference Mark - Built-in reference marks for homing
Guide Rail Types
AMS 3B guide rails integrate the magnetic scale tape into the MONORAIL rail body and are available in the following types.
| Illustration | Model | Description | Available Sizes | Features |
|---|
 | N | Standard | 25, 30, 35, 45, 55, 65 | Top mounting |
 | C | Cover strip type | 25, 35, 45, 55, 65 | Top mounting, supports metal cover strip |
Carriage Types
| Illustration | Type | Description | Width | Length |
 | A | Short Carriage (Wide) | Wide | Short |
 | B | Long Carriage (Wide) | Wide | Long |
 | C | Short Carriage (Narrow) | Narrow | Short |
 | D | Long Carriage (Narrow) | Narrow | Long |
 | E | Short Carriage (Mini) | Narrowest | Shortest |
 | F | Short Carriage (Narrow Flange) | Narrow | Short |
 | G | Long Carriage (Narrow Flange) | Narrow | Long |
Measuring System Specifications
| Measuring principle | Magneto-resistive incremental encoding (magnetically hard periodic N-S scale) |
| Signal period | 200 µm |
| Accuracy grade | ± 5 µm / 1000 mm; ± 2 µm / 40 mm |
| Periodic error | ± 0.7 µm |
| Hysteresis | < 0.5 µm (digitally adjustable on AMSD) |
| Resolution | AMSA up to 0.0625 µm; AMSD 0.2 / 1.0 / 5.0 µm |
| Output interface | AMSA: analogue 1 Vpp; AMSD: digital quadrature signals RS 422 (including reference and error signals) |
| Current consumption | AMSA 40 mA; AMSD 110 mA |
| Maximum speed | AMSA 3 m/s; AMSD 3 m/s (up to 1 m/s at 0.2 µm resolution) |
| Reference marks | Every 50 mm, or distance coded |
| Supply voltage | 5 V ± 0.25 V |
| Operating temperature | 0 °C ~ +70 °C |
| Protection class | IP68 |
Source: MONORAIL and AMS Product Catalogue §4.6 General technical data (p.39).
Output Interface Options
| Interface Type | Output Signal | Resolution | Description |
| 1 Vpp Analog | Sine/Cosine 1 Vpp | Per interpolation | Requires external interpolator, achieves highest resolution |
| TTL | Square wave 5V | 5 / 2 / 1 / 0.5 μm | Direct connection to controller |
| RS422 | Differential square wave | 5 / 2 / 1 / 0.5 μm | Long distance transmission, noise resistant |
Analog Output Advantage: Combined with a high-ratio interpolator, nanometer-level resolution can be achieved. Digital output can be directly connected to a PLC or motion controller, simplifying system architecture.
Typical Applications
- Machine tool applications - based on the MONORAIL MR roller profile guideway, providing a compact axis with linear measurement and guidance, which the catalogue names specifically for machine tools
- No additional assembly or adjustment required - reflected by cost savings in machine design, manufacture and servicing
- Improved accuracy and process reliability - the key benefit of the integrated measuring system
Series Comparison
| Feature | AMS 3B | AMSABS 3B | MONORAIL MR |
| Rolling element | Roller | Roller | Roller |
| Measuring type | Incremental | Absolute | None |
| After power on | Homing required | Immediate position reading | - |
| Resolution | Highest (subdivided) | High | - |
| Cost | Medium | High | Low |
Available options
According to the Available options icon bar in the catalogue.
Common to guide rails and carriages
Accuracy class
 | G0 | Highly accurate |
 | G1 | Very accurate |
 | G2 | Accurate |
 | G3 | Standard |
Coating
 | CN | None |
 | CH | Hard chromium |
Guide rails
Straightness
 | KC | Standard |
Reference side
 | R11 | Ref. bottom, scale bottom |
 | R12 | Ref. bottom, scale top (the PDF prints 'scale bottom', which duplicates R11; the icon shows the scale at the top, so this is judged to be a PDF typo) |
 | R21 | Ref. top, scale bottom |
 | R22 | Ref. top, scale top |
Magnetization
 | TR50 | 50 mm raster (incremental scale) |
 | TD20 | 20 mm code (distance coded) |
 | TD50 | 50 mm code (distance coded) |
Carriages
Reference surface
 | R1 | Reference surface below (below or right) |
 | R2 | Reference surface above (top or left) |
Reading head position
 | P1 | Top right |
 | P3 | Bottom left |
Factory lubrication
 | LN | Oil protect |
 | LG | Grease protect |
 | LV | Full greasing |
Interface (reading head cable outlet)
 | TMU | analog, 0.3 m |
 | TRU | analog, 3 m |
 | TSU | analog, 3 m |
 | TMD | digital, 0.3 m |
 | TRD | digital, 3 m |
 | TSD | digital, 3 m |
