Can RLS OnAxis encoders operate in Ultra-High vacuum?

The RM08 and RMB14 encoders have been tested under vacuum conditions simulating space applications. Our measurements have confirmed that their performance remains unaffected after exposure to vacuum.

The tests showed that most of the observed mass loss is due to atmospheric moisture, while outgassing is minimal – only 0.01% for the RM08 and 0.18% for the RMB14 encoders. These values are within the limits defined by the European standard ECSS-Q-ST-70-02C (2008) and the American standard ASTM E595-15 (2021).

These results indicate that the RM08 and RMB14 encoders are suitable for use in vacuum environments. Additionally, due to the design and material similarities across the RMB encoder family, the findings can reasonably be extended to other RMB models, such as the RMB20.