Rotary encoders are used to provide feedback about the movement of a rotating object or device, such as the shaft of a motor.
As the object moves, the transducer gathers data from the cable and produces an analog or digital output signal that is used to establish the object’s movement or position. In these cases, a cable is run between the encoder transducer and the moving object. This type of encoder makes use of a transducer to measure the movement or distance between two points, sometimes employing a cable (longer distances) or a small rod (shorter distances). Linear encoders deal with the movement of objects along a path or line, such as in the cut-to-length application mentioned earlier. The three most common types of encoders are linear encoders, rotary encoders, and angle encoders. The most common approach is to characterize these devices by the type of movement being monitored, whether that be linear (straight-line) or rotational. There are several different ways in which encoders can be characterized for motion control applications. This article will review the different types of encoders, provide a basic understanding of how they function, and present information on selection considerations and important specifications. An encoder is used in applications such as this to tell the control circuit for the machine when to make the cut. The machine needs to determine when the desired length of material to be cut has been fed from the spool onto the machine’s conveyor, and then must instruct a cutting blade to pass across the material at precisely the right moment to produce the proper length of cut material.
The raw material, such as fabric, is continuously fed into the machine from a spool. Imagine a cutting operation or machine that is designed to regularly produce material of a certain fixed length. A simple example of how an encoder might be used is in a cut-to-length application. This feedback allows the control system to establish whether the object being monitored is being correctly moved or positioned and permits adjustments to be made or actions to be taken based on the movement and position of the object.Įncoders typically are used to measure one or more specific parameters about the object, such as its speed, position, direction, or to provide a count of the object or some related value. Image credit: Matee Nuserm/Įncoders are sensing devices whose purpose is to provide feedback about the motion of objects to control systems.
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