When it comes to saving money on inventory while assuring that customers get exactly what they need for motor feedback, off-axis magnetic encoders can help both the motor OEM and their customers win. This type of magnetic encoder is capable of handling up to 80 – 90% of servomotor and closed loop stepper motor applications while providing the durability and reliability that they are well known for.
How do they work?
There are several good reasons to choose off-axis magnetic encoders for standardization.
First, whether the application is in a challenging environment or not, off-axis magnetic encoders can handle both environments, without expensive packaging options that limit encoder choices in most applications. Magnetic encoder technology is resistant to contamination, including dirt and moisture. This allows for an economical choice across a broad range of applications that may not even be known by the motor manufacturer.
Second, some magnetic encoders can offer on-site programmability at the motor manufacturer. There is no need to purchase numerous encoder configurations to satisfy a multitude of customer needs. This technology features multiple resolution programming in combination with just a few magnetic target disk configurations to achieve nearly all common resolutions. Modular components can be purchased, avoiding the headache of stocking expensive, prepackaged fully assembled encoders.
Third, many motor OEM’s choose to customize their encoder solutions by building the encoder chip and target directly into the motor itself. This type of chip and target solution is great for reducing the overall motor size, saving material cost and allowing compact motor envelopes to fit in applications restrained by size.
Finally, many of these OEM’s don’t like to tie money up in costly inventory, particularly for expensive, environmentally protective encoder packaging. While this does save money, it can create prohibitively long lead times in getting finished motor product to the customer. Standard off-axis modular encoders and components that work in tough environments can reduce lead times and provide the reliability customers expect from more expensive, fully packaged encoders.
For more information on how to cover more applications, reduce your production costs, inventory expense and lead time with Timken off-axis magnetic encoders, reach me at 603.355.4502 or send me an email at [email protected].
The next generation of farm equipment is already in fields across the heartland. The crucial difference? They’re driverless and satellite-guided.
GPS-piloted tractors save farmers thousands of dollars with the operational efficiencies they create. Unaffected by fatigue and poor visibility, they reduce distances traveled by each vehicle, are accurate within inches, and save on fuel costs while improving crop yields.
They also create new challenges. For example: with no human around, how do you tell when a machine is approaching a breakdown so you can shut it down before significant damage occurs? The answer is Timken off-axis magnetic encoders.
They are highly resistant to the dirt, condensation and vibration found in agricultural applications. An optical encoder could succumb to these environmental issues. Magnetic encoders are unaffected and continue to operate through it all.
To discuss Timken off-axis magnetic encoders and other applications where they could be your solution, reach me at 603.355.4502 or send me at email at [email protected].
Photo Credit: Shutterstock © Denton Rumsey
At Timken, we think it’s important to keep the conversation going. Stay on top of the encoder industry and up-to-date on Timken® sensors and encoders with our new LinkedIn Group. It’s a place to build community, share ideas and hear the latest news.
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Myself and two of our top engineers in this field will post new topics biweekly. We hope these posts answer some of your questions and generate discussion.
Meet the Timken panel:
Robert Stiffler – Business Development Manager – The Timken Company (2010 – Present)
I manage the day-to-day business of Timken sensors and encoders. I also create and implement business strategy to drive profits and growth in industrial motion control electronics.
John Santos – Chief Engineer – Sensors – The Timken Company (2007 – Present)
John leads all aspects of engineering for Timken’s multimillion-dollar sensor business, from product design to applications and manufacturing engineering, and IP management.
Mark LaCroix – Principal Application Engineer – The Timken Company (1987-Present)
As the lead sensors applications engineer at Timken, Mark has designed and developed magnetic sensors for 28 years including sensor ASIC chips, complex magnets and magnetic patterns and magnetic encoders.
Please join us on our LinkedIn Group discussions and add your comments and questions. Or as always, call us at 603.358.4760 or send us an email.