What is Encoder?

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An encoder is a device that is used in many industries to provide feedback. In the most basic terms, an encoder, regardless of the type, which we will cover later, senses position, direction, speed, or counts.

Encoders will use motion, under a variety of technologies, and translate it into an electrical signal. That signal is then sent back to a controlling device, such as a PLC, and is interpreted, meaning scaled, to represent a value that will then be used within the program.

Some of the technologies involved in encoders are magnetic, mechanical, resistive, and optical.

Optical is the most widely used encoder motion translating technology. There are different types of encoders such as absolute and incremental. We will describe those in greater detail in a future lesson.

But for now, an example of an incremental, optical type encoder uses a beam of light that passes through a disk that has opaque lines in a specific pattern, somewhat like the spokes of a wheel.

On the other side of the disk is a photo sensing device that will interpret the light, based on the pattern on the disk, picture a shutter, blocking and unblocking the light. The pulses of light are then converted to an electrical signal to be sent back to the processor, through the encoder's output.

Encoders have a wide range of uses which include closed-loop applications such as servo or VFD control, measuring, and counts. Here are some examples of processes that may use an encoder.

For VFD control, you may be running a pump, on a VFD, to fill a tank full of a liquid. You are requesting a certain speed and want to verify that the pumps VFD is at the requested speed. An encoder on the VFD may be used for feedback of speed.

This example is for a measuring process. In this application, you will need to cut some aluminum product to a particular size.

You are passing a long roll, meaning hundreds of feet, of the aluminum sheet through a cutting mechanism.

You need to determine the amount of aluminum fed so that you can cut the sheets to the proper size that will be used in a separate manufacturing process.

An encoder, attached to the conveyor and rolling/reading the material that is feeding through your cutting assembly, will indicate the length of material that has been fed since the last cut.

That feedback can then be used to adjust the cutting blade to sever the length required.

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#RealPars #Encoder #PLCTraining

[dharshanahewawasam]

I am senior Mechanical Engineer and my effort is to be familiar with automated systems / mechatronics. Your video clips are so well explained, really help my cause. Thanks so much

[apodsilvaticus]

Pretty clear explanation. I work with these friends for long long time and I may say that without them modern industry manufacturing lines would not exist.

[تكلمبالعربية_وهران]

No comment!!! The lessons you are giving us are very special thats because you are a real professionals not a fake ones, I love you all...RealPars Team... A big hug to you from Algeria.

[deankay]

This is an optical encoder found inside auto engines distributor and help control ignition timing and a cam signal. At a 2:1 ratio, a crank sensor tells were two pistons reach top dead center on the compression stoke, but only a cam signal will show with cylinder is ready for injection and spark to follow!

[wiambourai]

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But in all cases I wanna thank you for the time and the efforts you are putting to provide for us this useful videos!🙏🏻

[benmarioz]

Such a huge fan of how you guys explain instruments down to the last detail.

[kung-fupanda]

I am a big fan of your explanations, I've learnt a lot from your channel. Thank you for all the effort you put into these video tutorials.

[yousfiibrahim]

simplicity is your strength point realpars keep it up

[CNCmakers]

Great to learn this video about encoder, I have sold a lot of encoders, but still I have learn a lot from it, thank you.

[renegadeflower]

Simply world class explanation. It's like going to M.I.T. university of controls.

[alienkishorekumar]

Thank you recommendation. I used an optical encoder for my robot which uses dead reckoning to measure distance traveled.

[nagalakshmiduvvuri]

your explanation is clear with examples. thanks much

[eljazairidz]

Thank you so much RealPals, I really love your videos and the way you speak with very simple and helpful

[TheLinessCompany]

Had a university class "mechanics" they did not cover that any good at all, thank you :)

[nunpech]

Big Thank, your videos every useful for me, your explanation every simple to understand. Please upload more videos related to automation control.

[science]

You should make a video showing how to setup a trend of an encoder input signal.
Excellent tool to ensure you're getting a good encoder input signal.

[sanathrodrigo]

Thank you very much.clear explanation and video.

[GobeshonaBD]

Thank you so much for nice explanation.

[spacexnix]

Thank you so much for the clear explanation. You make good videos, keep it up, it's very cool. I look with pleasure.

[khannamira]

Very useful for studies... You are doing a very good job👍🏻