Product category:
Probes and sensors
News Release from: Sick (UK) | Subject: Encoder
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 25 April 2007
Encoder with minute disc for tough
applications
SICK (UK) has released the SKS/SKM36 standalone encoder, an optical encoder utilising the company's MiniDisc (MiDi) technology which allows a very small code disc.
The SKS/SKM36 standalone encoder, from SICK (UK), is the first member of a new generation of optical encoders within the company's SinCos product range The most notable feature of this generation of SICK Stegmann encoders is the company's MiniDisc (MiDi) technology - the subject of three year's of development and euro1.9 million investment
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 1 Apr 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Encoder suits simple speed, position control
Low-cost incremental encoder s ideal for simple speed and position control applications in the printing, packaging and materials handling industries.
Encoder's flexibility reduced stocks and save time
The new DRS 61 incremental encoder from SICK-Stegmann offers full programmability for greater user flexibility and to provide a reduction in stocks of pre-programmed devices.
This significant research programme has resulted in the creation of a very small code disc, with a tiny 2mm code track radius.
This small size does not, however, mean there is any lack of performance.
Indeed, as well as offering full holistic scan capabilities - 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.
Further reading
Measuring wheel encoder tracks conveyors
Utilising novel 'mini-disc' technology, an extremely robust measuring wheel encoder, helps to guarantee continuous material flow by either monitoring the speed of conveyors or by tracking products.
Encoder helps test new diesel engines
An encoder makes the process of tracking the position of pistons in diesel engine cylinders much simpler - providing more accurate tests, providing cost and time savings.
Shock and vibration often cause problems for optical encoders, however, 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 standalone 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 standalone 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 100degC.
• Sick (UK): contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Manufacturingtalk email newsletter
• Manufacturingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
