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Linear Encoders

FAQ: How do I pick between rotary and linear encoders?

June 24, 2016 By Lisa Eitel Leave a Comment

Edited by Zak Khan || It may seem as though linear encoders and rotary encoders have strictly defined (and maybe even mutually exclusive) applications. Prevailing logic is that linear encoders track linear motion and rotary encoders track rotating shafts — but this isn’t always the case. Some motion designs can use linear or rotary encoders, […]

Filed Under: Absolute Encoders, Encoders, Linear Encoders, Rotary Encoders

Ways to wire an absolute encoder into a motion system

November 19, 2015 By Danielle Collins 1 Comment

wire an absolute encoder

Absolute encoders are traditionally wired in one of three ways: in parallel, with a serial interface, or over a bus. The serial and bus interfaces have multiple protocols or standards, some of which are open-source, while others are proprietary to specific manufacturers. When considering how to wire an absolute encoder, the required resolution, level of […]

Filed Under: Absolute Encoders, Encoders, FAQs + basics, Linear Encoders, Rotary Encoders

FAQ: How do magnetic encoders work?

November 13, 2015 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

Magnetic Encoder

Encoders, whether rotary or linear, absolute or incremental, typically use one of two measuring principles—optical or magnetic. While optical encoders were, in the past, the primary choice for high resolution applications, improvements in magnetic encoder technology now allow them to achieve resolutions down to one micron, competing with optical technology in many applications. Magnetic technology […]

Filed Under: Absolute Encoders, Encoders, FAQs + basics, Incremental Encoders, Linear Encoders, Rotary Encoders

What are capacitive encoders and where are they suitable?

October 29, 2015 By Danielle Collins 1 Comment

capacitive encoders

Two types of encoders dominate the general industrial market—optical and magnetic. But capacitive encoders, a relatively new introduction, offer resolution comparable to optical devices, with the ruggedness of magnetic encoders. Currently, there are only a handful of vendors for capacitive encoders, but their suitability for applications requiring high precision and durability make them a good […]

Filed Under: Absolute Encoders, Encoders, FAQs + basics, Incremental Encoders, Linear Encoders, Rotary Encoders Tagged With: cuiinc

FAQ: What do X1, X2, and X4 position encoding mean for incremental encoders?

October 1, 2015 By Danielle Collins 1 Comment

Incremental encoders

An encoder is a device that measures position, and in some configurations, can also measure direction. Rotary encoders measure rotation of a shaft, while linear encoders measure distance traveled. For both types of encoder, the position measurement can be either incremental or absolute. An incremental encoder measures change in position, but does not keep track of […]

Filed Under: Encoders, FAQs + basics, Incremental Encoders, Linear Encoders, Rotary Encoders

Linear encoder types — and parameters for selection

September 25, 2015 By Danielle Collins 3 Comments

Linear encoders

Linear encoders monitor linear movement and provide position feedback in the form of electrical signals. In servo driven systems, linear encoders supply the precise position of the load, typically in addition to the speed and direction feedback provided by the motor’s rotary encoder. For stepper driven systems, which typically operate in open-loop mode with no position […]

Filed Under: Absolute Encoders, Encoders, FAQs + basics, Incremental Encoders, Linear Encoders

Programmable Encoders: The Next Generation

August 20, 2015 By Motion Control Tips Editor Leave a Comment

traditional-magnetic-rotary-encoders

by Jarrod Orszulak, Product Manager, POSITAL-FRABA The latest programmable encoders offer both incremental and absolute functionality on one hardware platform and can be programmed with a WiFi connection. Programmable incremental encoders have become more common recently. This is largely due to the fact that the measurement characteristics of the device (number of pulses per rotation, […]

Filed Under: Absolute Encoders, Encoders, Incremental Encoders, Linear Encoders, Rotary Encoders Tagged With: Posital-Fraba

Linear motor stage with absolute encoder and ironless motor

July 31, 2015 By Mike Santora Leave a Comment

PI-Global-map-image

Physik Instrumente has released a new member of the PIMag family of precision positioning stages with magnetic direct drives. The compact ultra-precise V-551 motorized linear translation stage debuted at Laser World of Photonics, held in Munich, Germany last month. V-551 comes equipped with an integrated absolute-measuring, 2nm resolution encoder – no more wasted time for […]

Filed Under: Gantries + Stages, Linear Encoders Tagged With: Physik Instrumente, physikinstrumente

Tiny kit-style encoder: New option for linear measurement

July 7, 2015 By Lisa Eitel Leave a Comment

A tiny linear encoder from RSF Elektronik is an MS 15 optical kit-style with the smallest mechanical profile in the industry. Available in North America through HEIDENHAIN, the encoder works in machinery for metrology, semiconductor, medical and automation. The MS 15 optical kit-style encoder is 36 x 13.5 x 14.8mm in size, and provides a 40 […]

Filed Under: Encoders, Featured, Linear Encoders Tagged With: HEIDENHAIN

Fagor Automation introduces Nanometer High Resolution Linear Encoders

January 27, 2014 By Jennifer Calhoon Leave a Comment

fagor

Fagor Automation Corporation has developed and introduced a new line of Linear Encoders capable of 50 nanometer resolution. Designed for high performance markets such as precision grinders and the EDM market. In addition, due to the ability of the new product capability of achieving nanometric measurements directly from the encoder without the need for electronic […]

Filed Under: Encoders, Linear Encoders Tagged With: Fagor Automation

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