Is it really possible to build a rotary encoder out of a flattened tin can and a couple of photodetectors? Sure it’s possible, but what kind of resolution are you going to get from such a contraption?

This is the first of a two-part series. Part 2 can be found here. Encoders play an integral role in almost every mechanical system that involves motion monitoring or control. There are a variety of ...

What is a rotary encoder? A rotary encoder (RT) is a device that you can rotate infinitely. On most rotary encoders, when you rotate them you will feel a bump (known as steps), and most RTs have about ...

Rotary encoders connect to a shaft and, as the shaft rotates, the encoder outputs pulses. These are used to determine the speed of the object. By counting the amount of pulses per one full turn of the ...

Rotary encoders are pretty interesting pieces of technology. They’re a solid way to accurately measure rotation including the direction. [David] recently wrote some software to handle these input ...

Last year, Automation World examined the differences between accuracy, resolution, and precision in the encoder world. And while understanding the differences among these terms is important to ...

In robotics, movements must be precise and well-controlled. As robots are asked to do more as industry becomes more familiar with the technology, there will be an increasing need for high accuracy ...