Latest news
At Photo Solutions, we keep tabs on the photonics industry so we can offer the highest quality products with best practices to our clients. In our blog, we explore everything from new techniques to industry news.
How Custom Calibration Targets Are Reaching New Heights for NASA
Aerospace engineering requires detailed thinking, advanced technology, highly precise components, and a multi-faceted approach to complex problems. Although small parts of whole systems, calibration targets play an integral role in helping NASA in its space...
Photo Solutions’ Laser-Cut Glass Services: Machine Tech, Process, and Precision
Laser-cut glass is one of those tools in the engineering arsenal that can be used for countless applications. Whether that’s precisely etched crosshairs on a rifle scope or fabricated glass components for medical devices, the laser-imaged patterns need to be...
How A Glass Reticle Provides Measurements For Optical Devices
As a critical component in optical devices, a glass reticle needs to be precisely manufactured for optimal performance. This week, we're discussing how these components provide measurements, industry applications, and benefits of glass reticles. The Role of A Glass...
What Sets Photo Solutions’ Optoelectronics Engineering Apart
Optoelectronics engineering requires industry experience, cutting-edge technology, and technical know-how. At Photo Solutions, we pride ourselves on providing all three, plus our unmatched customer service. Read on to discover how this makes a difference for our...
How Precision Encoder Components Empower Autonomous Mobile Robots to Shape Our World
Maybe you first noticed them while grocery shopping, checking for hazards or scanning items that need to be restocked. Or maybe you even have one in your home running on a fixed schedule and picking up your crumbs. We’re talking, of course, about autonomous mobile...
The Importance of Custom Optical Encoder Discs for OEMs
If you’re an OEM supplying essential integrations that propel bigger manufacturing systems, you know precision matters. At Photo Solutions, our custom optical encoder discs serve OEM applications from medical to metrology. Custom Optical Encoder Discs and OEMs ...
Magnetic vs. Optical Encoders: Comparing Encoder Disc Technologies
There’s no doubt that encoder disc technologies and advancements have resounding impacts on worldwide engineering solutions. These optical components play critical roles in the operation of tools across industries—from medical to aerospace. We’re comparing two of the...
Photochemical vs. Laser Etching: Which Method Creates the Best Encoder Disks?
Precise etching is to encoder disks what measurement is to engineering. Without it, these tiny disks’ inaccuracy could topple entire mechanical systems. The best encoder disks utilize some sort of advanced etching technique for optimal results. But what’s better:...
Essential Encoder Disc Functions For Bespoke Applications
Not much can be left up to chance if you’re in the business of automation, medical, robotics, aerospace, or metrology. And “one size fits all” is probably not in your vocabulary, either. When it comes to encoder disc functions for bespoke applications, you likely have...
Understanding the Top Benefits of Precision Laser-Cut Encoder Wheels
Encoder wheels are one of the necessary components used in mechanical and optical applications ranging from robotics to industrial control systems. On such a small scale, precision is paramount to the entire operation's success. That’s where laser-cut encoder wheels...
Medical Device Manufacturers Look to Innovative Encoder Components to Improve Patient Outcomes
Today’s medical device manufacturers are focused on providing continuous technological advances for doctors and their patients. These advances are often propelled by innovative encoder components that help devices track changes in position and motion. With smoother...
Why Proper Motion Control Systems are Essential For Your “First Time Right” Metrics
The name of the game in manufacturing is efficiency and accuracy. Without an efficient and accurate system, productivity drops, and manufacturing operators lose valuable resources, like time and money. But with the right metrics to guide the way, you can keep the maze...
Material Review: When Should You Opt for a Glass Encoder Disc
Over the past few months, we've discussed nearly every type of encoder disc material available at Photo Solutions. We covered Mylars' cost-effectiveness and aluminums' durability, but the one material that's the gold standard for accuracy is glass. When it comes to...
Essential Optical Encoder Components and How They Work Together
There's so much innovation in today's machinery. From handheld medical imaging equipment to automated mechanical robots that move boxes and supplies around a warehouse, today's tools are complex and dynamic. So how do these sophisticated autonomous machines stay on...
How Photo Solutions Can Help With Your Precision Robotics
With its introduction in the 1950s by Joseph Engleberger, the field of robotics changed the course of human history forever. Over the next 70 years, dangerous and time-consuming tasks were offloaded to sophisticated machines, giving humans more time to focus on...
Why Source Your Custom Encoder Discs and Scales from Photo Solutions? Quality and Speed.
If you’re in the market for custom encoder discs and scales, you know there are many considerations to weigh when choosing a supplier. Mistakes at scale are costly, so you need a company that can produce reliable products with precision and accuracy every time. But...
An Overview of Standard Encoder Disc Materials
One of the most important decisions you can make when designing an encoder is to choose the proper encoder disc material for your project. Material choice has a significant impact on encoder performance. Choose the wrong disc material, and you can end up with...
All About Photo Solutions’ Services: Custom Microlithography, Diamond Dicing, and More
At Photo Solutions, we're known for working with clients across a wide range of industries to design and manufacture custom encoder discs and scales. But our precision equipment and skilled craftsmanship conveniently lend themselves to various similar production...
How Reflective Scales Help Scientists Push the Boundaries of Discovery
Innovation is the driving force in the scientific community. But behind every life-changing scientific discovery is the piece of equipment that helped uncover the secret. Take the driverless car: this revolutionary advancement would not have been possible if it wasn’t...
Material Review: When Should You Opt for A Mylar Encoder Disc or Scale?
Encoder discs and scales are essential components used in practically every piece of robotics or motion machinery. Complex and expensive encoder discs are usually needed for machines that execute intricate tasks. But for simple use-cases at scale, balancing complexity...
Here’s What You Need to Know to Design the Perfect Encoder Disc
So you've decided to opt for a custom encoder disc for your design. This is a wise choice, as greater control over your encoder components' specifications means your design allows for the most accuracy and precision—giving you a more effective encoder for your project...
Photo Solutions Specializes in Custom Encoder Components
For over 30 years, our team has been crafting custom optoelectronic components for industry-leading companies in metrology, aerospace, medical robotics, and more. We pride ourselves on being the top choice for custom encoder components such as discs, scales, and hub...
Material Review: When Should You Opt for an Aluminum Encoder Disc?
When deciding on the encoder components for your mission-critical project, there are a lot of considerations to balance. Of course, your encoder needs to be reliable and produce consistent results. But it may also need to withstand harsh environmental factors. So,...
What’s the Secret to High-Quality Encoders? It’s All About the Encoder Components
When it comes to your mission-critical designs, you need encoders that work. Without well-calibrated and optimized encoders, projects fail to deliver, and the competition leaves you behind. So how do you ensure you're getting the best encoders? You need to invest in...
The Difference Between Absolute and Incremental Rotary Disc Types
Whether they’re keeping precision robotics running smoothly or helping ensure automation equipment stays on target, rotary encoders play a pivotal role in the measurement of angular position and motion. Without this information, motion control technologies and...
Component Highlight: What You Need to Know About the Optical Encoder Disc
Optical encoders are a crucial piece of equipment for engineers creating robotics or motion-control technology. This small but mighty piece of equipment ensures proper motion, alignment, and speed are achieved while using the equipment. Precision measurements are not...
Opt for a Reflective Encoder Scale for Your Next Precision Project
Ever since the industrial revolution, automation has played an essential role in our everyday lives. But new challenges like the miniaturization of motion-control technology (portable printers, handheld medical devices, and more) have pushed engineers to invest in...
Here’s Why You Should Choose Our Optical Components for Your Next Project
You have a lot of options when it comes to choosing a provider for your optical component needs. Whether you opt for a large-scale producer or a local retailer, the products tend to be a “one size fits all’ solution. But, your modern designs require custom solutions....
All About Photo Solutions’ Mylar Encoder Discs
Our interconnected global economy relies heavily on automation and precision motion technology like mylar encoder discs to continue thriving. From the production warehouses to the shipping facilities, motion control technology keeps the flow of goods steady. It also...
A Breakdown of the Photonic Materials We Use and Why
Technological advancements in photonics over the years have helped drive innovation across a variety of fields, including motion control, automation, robotics, and more. One major contributing factor to more efficient and precise photonics technology comes from the...
Types of Rotary Encoder Technologies and 3 Applications That Inspire Us
A rotary encoder monitors angular differences in motion or position, aiding machines as they move and helping ensure movements match required specifications. A technologic journey that started with the first optical encoders built in the 1850s has quickly grown to...
An Optical Linear Encoder Keeps Machining Tools on Target: Here’s How
Automated machinery relies heavily on feedback information to ensure operations run smoothly. Encoder discs play a key role in that endeavor—ensuring accuracy and efficiency in today’s warehouses, robotics, assembly lines, and more. Let’s take a look at one of the...
What is a Reticle and How is it Applied in Aerospace and Metrology?
Reticle technology has been a staple in optical designs since the 17th century. Nowadays, whether your goal is to improve microscopic measurements or the accuracy of a weapon scope, reticles play a crucial role in aiding and customizing modern optical sighting...
Photo Solutions’ Custom Encoder Disc for Mission Critical Designs
For over 30 years, our team of experts has been crafting custom encoder disc solutions for clients worldwide. Our devices have enabled our clients to create ground-breaking technology that improves robotic performance, increases the accuracy and efficiency of...
Reflective Disk Types and Their Applications
At Photo Solutions, we offer a variety of custom reflective disk types for your latest project. These high-quality disks come in various material and size options, perfect for any of your engineering needs. While a typical transmissive encoder disk adequately supports...
The Robotic Arm and Encoder Disk: A Precision Pairing
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...
The Role an Optical Encoder Plays in Motor Speed and Position
When it comes to motion control, motor control is vitally important. An optical encoder makes precise motion control possible by impacting motor speed and position for increased efficiency. In this article, we’ll explore the role these photonic components play in...
How a Tiny Reflective Scale Could Solve Big Engineering Problems
It’s a component so small that you might miss it in the grand scheme of things: the reflective scale. However, this small photonic component can have a big impact on engineering problems. Photo Solutions has crafted reflective scale options for the last 30 years and...
Photonic Sensors in Aerospace: Engineering for the Future of Flight
We’re living in an unprecedented age for space exploration, and Photo Solutions is proud to help power that discovery. Since the beginning of 2021, there have been over 50 successful orbit launches. These forays beyond Earth’s atmosphere require components...
The Evolution and Advantages of Micromachining
The demand for more intricate nano parts like chips and scales is increasing throughout the world. Micromachining and nanotechnology play an increasingly decisive role in miniaturizing components ranging from biomedical applications to chemical microreactors and...
All About Photo Solutions’ Transmissive Mode Glass Discs
In the fast-paced world of technology and consumer electronics, it is paramount to have solution-based hardware. Here at Photo Solutions, we engineer the world’s most cutting-edge and innovative glass discs for various applications and industries. Here are the two...
Case Study: Applying Low Cost Sensors in Electronics and Smart Tech
It seems incredible to think that, until 2007, most of us didn’t have access to the internet of things from our pocket or purse. Smartphones, other smart tech, and electronics have been rapidly evolving and changing in the last few decades. And this evolution shows no...
How We Work With Broadcom Inc. For Reflective Encoders and Beyond
Our industry is constantly evolving. Since starting in 1989, we’ve seen incredible advances in motion control, automation, robotics, and medical products. As each of these industries has advanced, so have our reflective encoders and other photonic products. And...
Can Photonics Encoder Products Improve or Save Lives? Applications in the Medical Industry
When it comes to the medical industry, precision can save lives. As the world becomes more automated, we’re seeing leaps and bounds in innovative automation that’s helping to improve people’s lives and, in some cases, save them. Photonics encoder products and optical...
Ingenious Motion Control Products That We’re Excited About
What do sanitizing robots, transit train motors, and escalators have in common? They’re all products that utilize motion control and its related components. Motion control is something that impacts our daily lives, maybe without realizing it. And photonic components...
Custom Optoelectronics Products For Your Engineering Solutions
At the convergence of electronics and optics, optoelectronics are often complex components. With our three decades of experience crafting custom components, we work with big and small clients across industries. Whatever your engineering problem, we have custom...
How Photo Solutions Is Keeping Up With Reflective Encoder Technology
Reflective encoder technology has been around for decades. Now, the technology migrates to integrated emitter and detector chips. And these optical components are more useful and in-demand than ever. Our work at Photo Solutions is always evolving with the industries...
Why Photo Solutions Offers a Laser Cutting Service and How You Can Apply It To Your Next Project
In our field, every detail counts. And when you rely on an optoelectronic component to accurately make your product work, you need precision cutting. Our laser cutting service at Photo Solutions gives customers advantages like precision, repeatability, and quality to...
Can You Benefit from a Custom Encoder Wheel? Photo Solutions Weighs In
The encoder wheel is not one of those one-size-fits-all elements. Which is something you might know all too well if you have an engineering problem that goes beyond standard measurements. In this blog, we break down different types of encoder wheels, their...
Photo Solutions: Leaders in Microlithography For 30 Years
Photonic engineering requires precision products––which we’ve specialized in for the last 30 years. Microlithography is just one service we offer to our customers around the globe. And with cutting-edge technology, attention to detail, and our commitment to customers,...
