Custom Optical Encoders for OEMs
April 12, 2021
For many OEM equipment manufacturers who need encoders to provide feedback for the motion control section of their equipment, finding an incremental encoder manufacturer willing to partner with them and provide application-specific products can be a real challenge. Quantum Devices, a vertically-integrated incremental optical encoder manufacturer, thrives on OEM special product requests.
Producing an optical incremental encoder requires mastery of diode light sources and receptors, electronics, extremely high-precision discs, and polycarbonate enclosures to house the entire mechanism.
Coordinating the development and production of the different parts is complex, making OEM encoder solutions impractical for suppliers who have outsourced their production to Asia. Quantum Devices is unique in this respect. In 1989, Quantum Devices began as an R&D company researching and eventually producing light emitting diodes (LED) as its primary product. As the company was a supplier to the encoder industry, it decided to enter that product arena as a vertically integrated manufacturer in 1990.
Mastering Every Aspect of Optical Encoder Design
Most encoder manufacturers don’t want to do specials for the reasons given above. For Quantum Devices, vertical integration and mastery of each key technology that makes up optical incremental encoders has become a core capability and business strategy.
The key technologies Quantum Devices has mastered include:
- Diodes
- Discs
- Hubs
- Housings
Custom OEM Encoder Solutions for Manufacturers
As a result of their in-house design and production capabilities, Quantum Devices can offer special design requests in any of these categories:
- Electrical / Circuitry
- Output reconfigurations
- Line drives
- Single output
- Open collector
- Opto-isolator
- Combinations of above
- Input / output voltages
- Custom designs allow different input and output voltages
- Output reconfigurations
- Mechanical
- Custom bore / shaft sizes
- Unique shaft tolerance specifications
- Tighter tolerances than standard specifications, for example
- Lager shafts
- Special shaft shapes
- Motor Mounts
- If clients have unusual encoder mounting applications we will consider the request
Replacement Encoders for OEMs
For OEMs with existing designs that utilize obsoleted models from Heidenhain/Renco, Quantum Devices offers drop-in replacements:
Challenging Application Requirements Welcome
For OEMs with unique optical encoder requirements, Quantum Devices has a highly developed team of engineers dedicated to finding and delivering solutions to OEM volume application requirements.
Quantum Devices offers free encoder product samples for qualified projects on a case-by-case basis. Our prototype sample encoders are manufactured to the same standards as our production units.
