This Component solves 'All' Motor Problems?! (Motor Encoder) EB#58

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In this electronics basics episode we will have a closer look at motor encoders. Those can not only turn any motor into an awesome and satisfying input device for your projects; but can also turn any kind of motor into a kind of stepper motor. There are many different types of such encoders. So let me show you how they work, what they do and how you can use them. Let's get started ;-)

Websites that were shown during the video:

Thanks to Solo Motor Controller for sponsoring this video

0:00 Motor Encoders?
1:23 Intro
2:16 Rotary Encoder Basics
4:40 Disadvantages of Rotary Encoder
5:38 Using a Magnetic Encoder
7:32 Why Precise Positioning of Motors?
8:45 Turning BLDC Motor into Stepper Motor
10:59 Verdict

[ZipZash]

I've always wanted to make that SmartKno, and now you go making a video about it and go into more details. Love it!!

[Orionrobots]

Encoders on motors have been a key part of my robotics builds, being one of the ways to estimate how far a robot has moved, or try to keep multiple motors going at the same speed. Paired with PID loops they are a key component.

[randyscorner]

When working on a ventilator system over covid shutdown we got exposed to encoders on motor shafts and I've never looked back. Great way to control all aspects of the motor and now being used on my CNC machine to avoid any skips. Worked extremely well in the ventilator also.

[mathieusan]

one more advantage is there is no mechanical mating between the motor shaft and encoder, so there is no wear or strain induced by the assembly due to possible slight misalignment. This is a huge advantage for durability. Once the magnet is secured and positioned in the center, and the sensor board is secured in an assembly, only initial calibration is needed. This means, it should be stable under vibration, bumps, etc.

[Lighthouse_out_of_order]

So many amateur astronomers that build encoders to their rig need to know this!

[runger]

Hey Scott, thanks for your great and always so informative videos. I just wanted to add a small correction, namely that the CUI encoder has a PPR of 2048 - but that is pulses, on each A and B outputs. Because these outputs are in "quadrature", they form a 2-bit Gray code, and the actual resolution is 4x higher than the number of pulses, because you count both the up and down transitions on both signal lines. So the CUI encoder has a PPR (pulses per revolution) of 2048, but a CPR (counts per revolution == resolution) of 8192, which works out to an amazing 0.044° resolution, twice that of the AS5600...

[liveserv]

Scott, You have the finest drawing hand/skills of any youtuber..

[BitMatt]

I Ordered this to test for a project at work. Thanks Scott! This should work perfectly!

[mitchellwilson]

Glad to see someone keeping the smart knob view alive!

[Eewokney]

ahh i loved the original video and i checked 3 weeks ago if there where any updates on the project. i hope with this attention somebody will pick it up.

[zachwilliams]

With all love I appreciate the statement of any kind saying can fix all problems. That’s the a right attitude for someone who is into something. Know the humor of a statement so bold it’s worth giving it a look. One who stands behind an all.

[Jose-twbl]

I love this topic! I am trying to learn more about encoders. I'd love to see you going a bit "low level" and read an encoder position using a dedicated peripheral of a microcontroller. Showing how to configure the peripheral and all

[sneakythumbs]

This is a game changer for building rotary actuators with feedback. I also have plans to build a homespun weather station and the wind direction sensor is always hard to make accurate with mechanical encoding

[nerdaxic]

Best explanation of rotary encoders I've seen up to date.
Thank you! ^^

[ZT_]

Nothing like another great Scott video

[SRG-Learn]

Fuck yeah! I revisited the video to see any updates but not luck... and suddenly one of my favorite youtubers revive the project!!

[Fantaman]

This is how my Open Sim Wheel works. Just a big motor with an encoder on the back and a steering wheel on the front. I might not remember properly but it's at least 15000 steps or 0.024 degree, crazy accurate 1kW 10Nm servo motor. Super good force feedback wheel way before direct drive wheels became affordable. And became an instant fan of encoders on regular motors over stepper motor crap.

[ytrew]

Very well (simply) explained, thanks!

[boywithbrain]

I was planning to make a gaming wheel and, all the rotary encoders were too expensive and the potentiometers were not accurate. But I found out about those magnetic encoders from this video. Thank you!

[Dagor]

Missed opportunity to talk about SimpleFOC, a true open-source project to drive brushless motors and what the SmartKnob project actually uses under the hood.