Rotary Encoder

[61900]

Good morning,

Could anyone please advise me on how to identify an Encoder? It's a rotary encoder but due to it's age all the details on it have been worn away and due to cable damage will need to be replaced very soon.

Your help is greatly appreciated.
Stuart.

 

[Watthour]

You can measure the can dimensions, shaft dimensions, mounting means, and either check your equipment documentation or the setup of the control system to determine the correct PPR or disassemble the encoder and count the marks in the prism to determine PPR, although the latter method may require a microscope.

Heidenhain is very good at identifying "mystery" encoders, but it will cost you an evaluation and cleaning fee. The cleaning and alignment alone may restore a "dead" encoder to proper operation and you'll have data on the device once the evaluation is performed.

 

[Skogsgurra]

Dimensions are important. But there are several ways to use any encoder. Adapter rings, couplings etcetera.

Next thing is number of channels. You can always find out if there are two, three, four and so on wires connected to it. Even if your encoder as such is next to non-existant, you can look at the other end of the cable and see how many are used.

Then you need to know voltage. Just measure it at the controller's end. Expect anything from 5 V to 35 V.

Last thing to find out is number of pulses per revolution. Connect an oscilloskope and look at the pulses. Simple calculation (measure shaft speed also) will tell you if you have 500 PPR (common twenty - thirty years ago), 600, 1000, 1024 or some other number.

Also, if you can identify the machinery it is attached to, that may help.

Out of curiosity: What kind of machinery is this? And, where in the World is it located?

Gunnar Englund

http://www.gke.org

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100 % recycled posting: Electrons, ideas, finger-tips have been used over and over again...

 

[61900]

(Out of curiosity: What kind of machinery is this? And, where in the World is it located?)

Hi Gunnar,
The machinary it's attatched to is a Retractor conveyor and it's on a bakery production line. I'll do a diagram of it's operation which will best describe the operation.
Once again thanks for the help.
Stuart.