Encoders feature tiny code disc
A
SICK (UK) product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Apr 24, 2007
Sick's SKS/M36 stand-alone enables absolute synchronisation in a compact, robust and cost-effective package.
The SKS/SKM36 stand-alone encoder, from Sick, is the first member of a new generation of optical encoders within the company's SinCos product range.
The most notable feature of this new generation of Sick Stegmann encoders is the company's MiniDisc (MiDi) technology - the subject of three year's of development and a Eur 1.9 million investment.
This significant research programme has resulted in the creation of a very small code disc, with a tiny 2mm code track radius.
The whole disc is scanned constantly, enabling any eccentricity errors in the ball bearing and shaft to be compensated for, errors inherent in more conventional systems.
The smaller radius also removes many of the issues related to high angular speeds.
Shock and vibration often cause problems for optical encoders, but the construction of a MiniDisc encoder ensures a very high resistance to both.
Unlike conventional encoders, where a small area at the centre of the disc is glued to the encoder shaft, the disc of a MiniDisc encoder is fitted inside the shaft and securely held around its circumference.
Together with its small size, this makes it virtually impossible to break the disc or shake it loose.
This small disc radius offers other important technical features.
The physical encoder size is now essentially determined by the mechanical and electrical interfaces.
"Chip on board" technology is used to reduce the size and number of the electrical components, maintaining the small size and ensuring the highest reliability.
The small size of the SinCos SKS/SKM36 stand-alone will also enable the use of the encoder in applications with restricted space.
Designed for use as a master encoder with servo drives equipped with the Hiperface interface, the SKS/M36 stand-alone enables absolute synchronisation in a compact, robust and cost-effective package.
Such master/slave installations are commonplace in packaging, printing, textile and woodworking machinery.
Available in single and multi-turn variants (SKS and SKM respectively), the IP65-rated encoders offer: industry-standard M12 connectivity; absolute position with a resolution of 4,096 steps per revolution (single-turn); measurement of 4,096 steps per revolution over 4,096 revolutions (multi-turn); an electronic type label so that the drive can automatically recognise the resolution of encoder connected; and a wide operating temperature range of -20 to 100C.
Not what you're looking for? Search the site.
Articles by product category
- Consultancy and Services (903)
- Machine Building (4,517)
-
Engineering Design Software (6,179)
- Engineering Design Software (12)
- 2D CAD software (200)
- 3D CAD software (1,157)
- FEA and structural analysis software (369)
- Fluid, thermal, noise, vibration software (334)
- Simulation, modelling, validation software (914)
- Rendering, visualisation, styling software (196)
- Materials design and moulding design software (151)
- Process, instrumentation, automation software (258)
- Electrical design software (164)
- Publishing and documentation software (229)
- Maths, charting, statistics, QA software (317)
- Data, document management software (310)
- CAM, CNC, production management software (568)
- File conversion software, data capture (351)
- PLM and collaboration software (649)
-
Drives, Motors and Controls (3,361)
- Drives, Motors and Controls (1)
- Precision Motors and Gears (411)
- Industrial Drives/Controls (1,276)
- Linear Drives and Motors (114)
- Industrial Motors (497)
- Stepper and Servo Drives, Motors, Controls (1,060)
- Small Mechanical Components, Joining, Tools (1,975)
-
Control and Instrumentation (5,028)
- Plantwide control (1,324)
- Plant- and Machine-Wide Communications (1,174)
- Smaller-Sized PLCs (387)
- CNC and Motion Controllers (184)
- Mid-range and Large PLCs (201)
- Power Supplies, Uninterruptible Power (562)
- HMIs/Operator Interfaces (294)
- Logic Controllers, Timers and Relays (96)
- Cabling, Conduit, Signal Conditioning (806)
-
Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (5,459)
- Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (1)
- Data acquisition Software and Communications (494)
- Data Acquisition Hardware and PC I/O Boards (472)
- Electrical and Electronic Testing, PAT Equipment (630)
- Form/co-ordinate, optical, vision instruments (703)
- Gauges, Indicators and Instruments (440)
- Data loggers (422)
- Materials testing equipment (421)
- Telecomms/network test equipment, software etc (154)
- Testing and Calibration Services and Information (500)
- Testing, analysing and monitoring equipment (1,222)
-
Electrical and Electronic Equipment Design (4,160)
- Batteries, chargers and circuit protection (555)
- Connectors, Terminals, Busbars, Slip Rings (679)
- Enclosures and Equipment Cooling Fans (709)
- Knobs, Handles and Enclosure Hardware (420)
- PCs and Embedded Systems (798)
- Electrical and Electronic Subassemblies (369)
- Electrical and Electronic Components (630)
-
Materials and Processing (2,963)
- Materials and Processing (5)
- Materials and components (2,215)
- Rapid Prototyping (458)
- Materials processing and testing (285)
-
Engineering Industry News, Resources (6,093)
- Engineering Industry News, Resources (4)
- Engineering Business News, Views (388)
- Engineering Exhibitions, Events (562)
- Engineering Conferences (425)
- Engineering Seminars (400)
- Engineering Industry Developments, Awards (633)
- Engineering Guides, Newsletters (349)
- Engineering Recruitment, Employment (219)
- Engineering Training Courses (433)
- Engineering Education, Resources, Standards (838)
- Engineering Industry Reports, Surveys (597)
- Electronic Resources for Engineers (278)
- Health and Safety Legislation (402)
- Health and Safety Strategy, Risk Assessment (113)
- Health and Safety Consultancy, Software (175)
- Health and Safety Events, Training, News (277)
-
Powertrain Design (3,598)
- Powertrain Design (2)
- Bearings (939)
- Chains and belts (326)
- Gears, brakes, couplings and engines (1,441)
- Hydraulic Components (471)
- Lubricants (418)
-
Capital Equipment (3,387)
- Capital Equipment (1)
- Manufacturing Machinery and Plant Equipment (468)
- Production line blowers and fans (62)
- Compressors and Air Treatment (510)
- Electronics Manufacturing, Tools, Instruments (192)
- Electrical hardware (131)
- Machinery and Production Equipment (1,093)
- Robotics, Handling and Storage (930)
-
Sensors (7,080)
- Sensors (8)
- Accelerometers and Vibration Sensors (427)
- Loadcells, Force Sensors, Torque Sensors (699)
- Pressure sensors (621)
- Flowmeters and Flow Sensors (618)
- Level Sensors and Leak Detectors (527)
- Linear Position Sensors (399)
- Rotary Position, Tilt and Angular Sensors (546)
- Proximity Sensors (700)
- Gas, Chemical, Radiation, Magnetic Sensors (284)
- Humidity and Environmental Sensors (152)
- Temperature sensors (612)
- Vision and Colour Sensors (1,384)
- Barcode Sensors (103)
- Valves, Pumps, Process Hardware (3,623)
