Miniature Rotary Encoders with Built-In Commutation
February 13, 2020
Automated equipment designers in many medical, industrial and military sectors are constantly working to reduce the working envelope of the equipment they produce. Whether it is for robotic or cartesian systems, motors and motion control systems are shrinking, while motor torque and accuracy requirements are increasing. Compact and miniature rotary encoders are critical feedback sensing devices in these types of equipment. Reducing all dimensions while increasing functionality of these compact and miniature encoders is a challenge not all manufacturers can meet.
In miniature encoders, both diameter and length through bore are the primary dimensions that affect overall motion control packages. An encoder is typically mounted on a DC motor shaft, and is used to measure acceleration, speed and rotational position of the motor shaft. Quantum Devices produces a compact Q35 encoder series (QM35 & QML35) with a 1.44” diameter, and a 0.43″ H. Quantum also produces a unique QM22 miniature rotary encoder with a 0.96” diameter, and a 0.486″ H.
What sets these two miniature encoders apart though is their integrated BLDC motor commutation capability. In traditional BLDC configurations, it is necessary to have both an encoder and a commutation device (Hall effect sensors/magnets) attached to the motor shaft – a requirement that can add a half an inch or more to the motor/control package. Integrated commutation in the encoder is essential to reducing space requirements and making assembly easier.
In addition to the built-in 4, 6, 8 or 10 pole commutation options available in both the Q35 series and the QM22 models, these encoders offer resolutions from 200 to 8192 pulses per revolution. Furthermore, because they have a bearingless design, they also feature a very low-no-noise operating profile, a great benefit in products that are used in scanning, moving or positioning humans.
Quantum Devices’ products have been essential to OEMs in a wide variety of industries
- Lab test equipment
- Centrifuges
- Spectrometers
- CT and other scan bed systems
Industrial or commercial
High torque in very restricted space requirements
- Robotics
- AGVs
- Programmable inspection equipment
- Chemical dosing equipment semiconductor
