Blog

Encoders are critical elements in a motion system because they provide position and/or velocity feedback to the motion controller, enabling the controller to close the positional control loop. For this post, we will focus on how encoders are summarized based on the type of movement measured.   Read More »

We have been researching the answer to that question for some time and although we have been able to gather some great information both from encoder manufacturers and my own research, at this point we do not have a definitive answer.   Read More »

Encoders come in many physical shapes, sizes, and configurations. Join us as we explore the various choices available for your US Digital encoder.   Read More »

Our incremental encoder modules have an LED on one side and a photo sensor on the other. A metal HubDisk is attached to a shaft on a motor and aligned in such a way that the transparent mylar disk passes between the LED and photo sensor in the module. A series of printed lines on the disk block light from the LED from reaching the sensor. The spaces between the lines do not.   Read More »

While we can't definitively tell you who created the first encoder, we can walk you through the early history of the industry and its key players.   Read More »

In this post we discuss how encoders can be used in everyone's favorite multi-prop flying objects. The growth of drone applications is always expanding.   Read More »

In this post, we'll go over some of the basics of absolute encoders and how to create an encoder disk that generates unique, absolute positions.   Read More »

For rotary encoders, we measure accuracy in degrees, arcminutes or arcseconds. Such small units of measurement can be hard to visualize. In this post, we compare these measurements in relation to everyday objects to help you understand the relative size.   Read More »

In this post, we'll discuss the most frequently used output types for absolute encoders. We'll start with the simplest, the analog voltage output. Then we'll move on to PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) outputs, and finish with serial communication interfaces.   Read More »