Perhaps the most common rotary encoder application, motor feedback requires that an encoder is either mounted directly to the motor, or indirectly using a measuring wheel or chain-and-sprocket arrangement. The parameter of interest with this application is the speed or position of the motor.

 

Everything from production line conveyor belts to overhead cranes can be monitored for position using an encoder in a motor feedback application.

 

Other common applications include:

 

Cut To Length

Suppose a system were designed with a roller that is exactly one foot in circumference, the roller would feed one foot of material for every revolution of the roller. An encoder mounted to the roller would reflect this position and could report to a controller how much material had been fed through the roller.

 

The resolution of the encoder would also directly reflect the accuracy of the cut-to-length. Industries such as textile, paper, wood, metal, rubber, and plastic rely on cut-to-length applications for efficient production and packaging.

 

Filling Applications

An array of industrial manufacturers, ranging from food processors to packaging companies, rely on filling applications to keep their lines running smooth.

 

A filling application would use the rotary encoder to make sure that a unit, typically a machine tool, does not exceed a preset position or direction of travel. Very often, this is combined with a determination of the speed of travel of the table, tool head, or similar component.

 

Registration Mark Timing

Using a rotary encoder to determine the position of a unit relative to a known point, and then to determine the unit's speed relative to that mark, is referred to as registration mark timing.

 

Radar antenna rotation or tank turret control represent good examples of this type of application.

 

Backstop Gauging

Using a rotary encoder, monitoring ensures that the unit, typically a machine tool, does not exceed a preset position or direction of travel. Typically, this is combined with a determination of the speed of travel of the table, tool head, or similar component.