Encoders come in a variety of configurations, but they all translate phyiscal motion into an electric signal that can be interpreted by a motion control system. Wondering what exactly an encoder is and what it does – or maybe just how to explain these things to someone outside of the motion control industry? In this post we’ll cover some of encoder basics so you can leave with a better...   Read More »

In this world three things are certain: death, taxes–and electrical noise, to paraphrase Benjamin Franklin. Electrical noise happens. Period. It can wreak havoc by injecting false signals onto encoder lines, or by overwhelming real signals entirely. It’s often intermittent, which can make diagnosing and fixing it a nightmare. But if you use a few simple techniques you can drastically reduce...   Read More »

Where do encoders face their toughest operating conditions? One answer at the top of the list is in the petroleum industry, where encoders are used everywhere. In this post we’ll look at encoders in the oil industry, from beginning to end–the rough conditions encoders face on oil drilling rigs, how they keep oil flowing in transport pipelines, and the way they ensure accuracy at gasoline...   Read More »

If you need an encoder that can measure very small distances, which of the following is most important to you? High Accuracy? High Precision? High Resolution? All about the same? Here's a hint: in the everyday world, those terms might seem like they mean the same thing, but in the world of encoders, accuracy or precision won't help you solve this problem nearly as much as...   Read More »