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 »

How do you attach an encoder to a liquid? Encoders usually attach to a part of the system that moves—and in a pump, the part that moves is a liquid! How do you attach an encoder to that? In actual practice, you don't. Every pump has a mechanism that moves a fluid. You attach the encoder to that mechanism. If a motor drives the mechanism, for example, you can mount the encoder to the motor...   Read More »

When US Digital released the E4T Miniature Optical Kit Encoder it needed to update manufacturing procedures to better handle the miniaturized encoder disks. The company decided to use automation and built the delta robot system above. It speeds up manufacturing and frees staff to spend time on higher-level tasks. New Miniature Encoder Disks Caused Production Difficulties for...   Read More »

With some optical encoders you can literally see the resolution right on the encoder disk. Look at the disks above and notice how closely the lines are spaced. Encoder resolution is defined as the smallest distance that can be measured or observed. However, it can be used in three different ways within the same motion control system—this can lead to confusion. In this post,...   Read More »

So far in this blog we've written about encoders that are moved by something else. They're attached to a motor shaft, or a linear actuator, or conveyor belt. Their job is to report their position as they're moved by an external force; other than that, they're just along for the ride. Well, sometimes - the encoder is the ride! Sometimes the encoder moves first, and everything else reacts to...   Read More »