---
title: "Reading Head"
industry: "Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing"
verification_protocol:
  urn: "URN:CNFX:ME:READING_HEAD"
  data_integrity_hash: "5fb056ce860722271cc6c9e23d0d36d7"
  source_authority: "https://cnfx.com"
  strict_mode: true
source_identity:
  provider: "CNFX Industrial Knowledge Graph"
  index_version: "2026.Q1-Universal"
  authority_id: "URN:CNFX:ME:READING_HEAD"
  data_source_uri: "https://cnfx.com/llms/industry/machinery-and-equipment-manufacturing/product/reading-head.md"
  official_resource_url: "https://cnfx.com/industry/machinery-and-equipment-manufacturing/product/reading-head"
  is_verified_logic: true
attributes:
  spec:
    status: "config-dependent"
    typical_range: "0.1-100 μm resolution at 0.5-10 m/s traverse speed"
    unit: "μm"
engineering_limits:
  max_safe_operating_point:
    value: 1
    unit: "at"
    consequence: "Photodiode saturation at &gt;100,000 lux illumination or magnetic flux density &gt;500 mT exceeding sensor dynamic range"
fmea_matrix_quantitative:
  - node_1:
      trigger: "Condensation forming on optical window at 85% relative humidity with 10°C temperature differential"
      severity: 8
      occurrence: 3
      detection: 4
      mitigation_protocol: "Hermetic sealing with desiccant and active Peltier temperature control maintaining ±0.5°C"
  - node_2:
      trigger: "Electromagnetic interference from adjacent 480V AC motor drives generating 50-100 V/m field strength"
      severity: 8
      occurrence: 3
      detection: 4
      mitigation_protocol: "Mu-metal shielding with 60 dB attenuation at 60 Hz and differential signal transmission"
bom_nodes:
  light-source:
    type: "part"
    urn: "URN:CNFX:ME:LIGHT_SOURCE"
    interface_type: "physical-logic-coupled"
  photodetector-array:
    type: "part"
    urn: "URN:CNFX:ME:PHOTODETECTOR_ARRAY"
    interface_type: "physical-logic-coupled"
  housing:
    type: "component"
    urn: "URN:CNFX:ME:HOUSING"
    interface_type: "physical-logic-coupled"
manufacturing_compliance:
  - standard: "ISO 1101:2017 (GEOMETRICAL PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS - GEOMETRICAL TOLERANCING)"
    scope: "Verified Engineering Specification"
  - standard: "ANSI B4.1-1967 (R2019) (PREFERRED LIMITS AND FITS FOR CYLINDRICAL PARTS)"
    scope: "Verified Engineering Specification"
url: "https://cnfx.com/llms/industry/machinery-and-equipment-manufacturing/product/reading-head.md"
on_chain_sovereignty:
  contract_standard: "ERC-721-Industrial"
  metadata_hash: "d03edf6ec0a67fb891b334565a70ddea0998e3519c4650725fa736fc5f42e7a6"
  royalty_logic: "IPFS-CID-REQUIRED"
  mint_status: "logic-verified-ready"
version: "3.3.4-EXTREME-SOVEREIGN-WEB3"
---

# Industrial Specification: Reading Head

## 1. Technical Definition
Optical or magnetic sensor component that reads position data from a linear scale.

## 2. Engineering Reasoning & Causal Matrix
> **Operational Intelligence**: Designed for **0.1-100 μm resolution at 0.5-10 m/s traverse speed**. Failure boundary: **Signal-to-noise ratio &lt; 3:1 at 50 kHz sampling frequency**, Mechanism: **Photodiode saturation at &gt;100,000 lux illumination or magnetic flux density &gt;500 mT exceeding sensor dynamic range**.

### 2.1 Analytical Physics Model
Governed by the **Rayleigh Resolution Criterion**:

> **Primary Equation**: $d = \frac{0.61 \lambda}{NA}$  
> **Engineering Impact**: Defines the theoretical limit of machine vision systems.

| Symbol | Variable Definition | Localized Reference |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| \lambda | Wavelength | Engineering Constant |
| NA | Numerical Aperture | Engineering Constant |

### 2.2 FMEA (Failure Mode & Effects Analysis)
| Event Trigger | Severity | Failure Mode | Mitigation Strategy |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Condensation forming on optical window at 85% relative humidity with 10°C temperature differential | 8 | Diffraction pattern distortion causing ±5 μm positional error | Hermetic sealing with desiccant and active Peltier temperature control maintaining ±0.5°C |
| Electromagnetic interference from adjacent 480V AC motor drives generating 50-100 V/m field strength | 8 | Hall-effect sensor output drift exceeding ±0.1% full-scale at 25°C | Mu-metal shielding with 60 dB attenuation at 60 Hz and differential signal transmission |

## 3. Key Technical Parameters
| Parameter | Value | Unit | Status |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| spec | Config-dependent | μm | Verified |

## 4. System BOM & Knowledge Routing
### Core Components (Recursive Links)
- [Light Source](https://cnfx.com/llms/industry/computer-electronic-and-optical-product-manufacturing/product/light-source.md) `(Standalone System)`
- [Photodetector Array](https://cnfx.com/llms/industry/computer-electronic-and-optical-product-manufacturing/product/photodetector-array.md) `(Standalone System)`

### Industrial DNA Context (De-duplicated)
**Complementary Dependencies**: **Linear Scale Encoder**, **Signal Conditioning Unit**, **Precision Mounting Fixture**  
**Downstream Applications**: CNC Machine Tools, Coordinate Measuring Machines, Industrial Robotics  

## 5. Engineering Risks & FAQ
- **Caution**: 
- **Caution**: 
- **Caution**: 

### Q: What is the difference between optical and magnetic reading heads?
**A**: Optical reading heads use light sources and photodetectors to read position data from reflective or transmissive scales, offering high resolution. Magnetic reading heads use magnetic sensors to detect magnetic patterns on scales, providing better durability in harsh environments with dust or fluids.

### Q: What materials are used in reading head construction?
**A**: Our reading heads feature aluminum alloy housings for lightweight durability, optical glass lenses for precise light transmission, and silicon photodetectors for accurate signal detection. These materials ensure reliability in industrial machinery applications.

### Q: How do I maintain a reading head for optimal performance?
**A**: Regularly clean optical components with appropriate lens cleaners, ensure proper alignment with the linear scale, protect from excessive vibration or shock, and maintain recommended operating temperatures. For magnetic versions, keep sensors free from metallic debris buildup.

## 6. Manufacturing Compliance
- ISO 1101:2017 (GEOMETRICAL PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS - GEOMETRICAL TOLERANCING)
- ANSI B4.1-1967 (R2019) (PREFERRED LIMITS AND FITS FOR CYLINDRICAL PARTS)

---
### 🛠️ Engineering Resource Access
🔗 **[Full Specification: Reading Head](https://cnfx.com/industry/machinery-and-equipment-manufacturing/product/reading-head)**

### 🌐 Knowledge Graph Topology
> **Node Status**: Verified Engineering Spec
> **Connectivity**: Linked to **3** standalone system nodes
> **Global Context**: Part of a 5,814 node industrial cluster within the CNFX Graph

> **Reference ID**: READING_HEAD | **Authority**: CNFX-2026-ST-001 | **Fingerprint**: 48a593fa
