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Jan 07
CONFIDENTIAL OMRON
Rotary Encoder?
A rotary encoder, also called a shaft encoder, is an electro-mechanical device
that converts the angular position or motion of a shaft or axle to an analog or
digital signal.
A rotary encoder uses a slotted wheel with a single LED/ photo-detector pair
to generate pulses as the wheel turns.
There are two types of rotary encoders: Incremental and Absolute Type
Incremental (relative) Rotary Encoder
Incremental signals provide a series of high and low waves which indicate
movement from one position to the next; there is no special indication provided by
the encoder to show the specific position, only an indication that the position has
changed. They are devices that provide a series of periodic signals in the form of
pulses due to mechanical motion of shaft revolution.
Speed of an object can be measured by counting the pulses for a period of time.
To calculate angle or the distance covered, pulses are counted starting from a
reference point.
Types of Rotary Encoder - Incremental
Construction of Incremental Rotary Encoder
The LED emits light beam which passes through a transparent disk
patterned with opaque lines.
When the photo sensor receives the light beam, it produces a sinusoidal
wave form, which is transformed into a square wave or pulse train.
This pulse signal is then sent to the counter or controller which will then
send the signal to produce the desired function.
Types of Rotary Encoder - Absolute
Absolute encoders use a unique "word" for each position, meaning that an
absolute encoder provides both the indication that the position has changed
and an indication of the absolute position of the encoder.
Binary Coding
4 1
2 3
1
5 8
Black sectors are ‘ON’
6 7
Sector Contact 1 Contact 2 Contact 3 Angle
1 off off off 0° to 45°
2 off off on 45° to 90°
3 off on off 90° to 135°
4 off on on 135° to 180°
2 bits change
5 on off off 180° to 225°
6 on off on 225° to 270°
7 on on off 270° to 315°
8 on on on 315° to 360
2. Types of Rotary Encoder - Absolute
Binary Coding
From sector 4 to sector 5, it shows that contact 2 and contact 3 changes from
ON to OFF. However in a practical device, the contacts are never perfectly
aligned. They will not switch at the same time but at different time, i.e. only 1
bit changes at a time
3
Gray Coding
4
1
2 3
1
3-bit Binary-Reflected
Gray code (BRGC)
5 8
225 315
5 7
270 6
3. Classifications of Rotary Encoder
1. By Type
Absolute
Incremental
E6C-N E6C3-A
Multi-turn model Space-saving model
3. Classifications of Rotary Encoder
2. By Size
3. By Shaft Diameter
4mm – E6A2-C
6mm – E6B2-C, E6C2-C, E6D-C, E6CP-A
8mm – E6C3-C, E6H-C, E6C-N, E6C3-A
10mm – E6F-C, E6F-A
3. Classifications of Rotary Encoder
4. By Resolution / Pulses per Rotation
Incremental Type => 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 100, 200, 300, 360, 500, 600,
720, 800, 1000, 1024, 1200, 1500, 1800, 2000, 2048, 2500, 3600, 5000,
6000
Absolute Type
i) Single-turn
ii) Multi-turn
1000 r/min , 1500r/min, 5000 r/min, 6000 r/min, 10000 r/min , 12000 r/min
2. Resolution Required
Select the optimal model in view of required precision and cost of machine
equipment. It recommends selecting the resolution from ½ to ¼ in integrated
precision of a machine.
3. External Dimensions
7. Degree of Protection
IP50 – Dust proof only
IP52 – Existence of oil & water
IP64 – Oil & water resistance