With every passing year, robotics permeates more and more industries, from manufacturing to aerospace, and even the medical industry. Robotics streamline production lines in warehouses, decrease employee risk during dangerous processes, and even increase power and strength—two things that used to be capped by the human body’s limitations. But the big challenge that today’s engineers face is not about power and strength. It’s about increasing accuracy and efficiency. Optical encoder disk technology is one of the many tools used to overcome those challenges.
How Encoder Disk Technology Improves Robotics
Today’s robotic arms are taking on more complicated and specialized tasks every year. For example, robotic arms in the medical industry are used in a growing number of surgery rooms worldwide, and while more factories and warehouses are increasing their use of robotics, they are also beginning to take on more intricate tasks as the cost of tech decreases. This means robots aren’t just doing the heavy lifting. Instead, they’re aiding in the customization and even some of the tasks traditionally reserved for artists.
Cutting-edge technology, like the robotic arms used today, relies on measuring and transferring data related to motion. For example, encoder disks (along with accompanying sensory motors) act as the eyes of a robotic arm. These sensors take measurements of micro-changes in position to track movement and changes in orientation.
This feedback system allows robotic arms to make precise movements and complete complex tasks like cutting materials, welding components, and even stitching wounds closed. However, without accurate measurements from the encoder discs, machines can make costly mistakes that cost money, supplies, and sometimes even lives.
When it comes to robotic arms, fluid, accurate movement is always the end goal. But creating human-grade accuracy can sometimes be a challenge, especially when you’re using out-of-the-box equipment.
How A Custom Encoder Disk Drives Precision
To push technology forward, engineers and designers need to break out of the standard mold.
There are a lot of specs to take into consideration, including:
- Optical radius
- Lines per inch/mm (LPI/ LPM)
- Counts per revolution (CPR)
- Type of materials used
- And more!
Encoders manufactured in mass don’t always meet the specifications needed for a unique project. That’s why custom encoders are the way to go. It allows you to invest in the specs that matter and cater the output to your project’s specific needs.
At Photo Solutions, we have extensive experience working alongside experts, supporting their goals with cutting-edge encoder technology. From start to finish, our team is there to help you create custom encoder wheel orders on composite configurations that enable easy and accurate installation. The technology you build is unique. Your equipment should be too. Contact Photo Solutions to get a custom quote for a precision-designed encoder disk.
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