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Eltra encoders come in diverse types and are used in differentiated applications ranging from industrial machinery to robotics. The following section looks into the prominent types of Eltra encoders and their distinctive characteristics.
Eltra incremental rotary encoders are the most popular types found in the market, preferred for applications that require positional feedback. The encoders generate pulses as the shaft rotates, allowing the control system to calculate the distance traveled. Engineers use these encoders in applications like servo motors, CNC machines, and conveyor systems, where relative position tracking is necessary. They are also very precise, which makes them suitable in fields where any inaccuracy can result in a huge loss.
Unlike incremental encoders, absolute encoders provide a unique position value for each shaft rotation degree. This function allows the encoder to always read the exact position, even when the system experiences power loss. Companies settle for these encoders in robotics, elevators, and aerospace systems, where accurate and reliable position feedback is mandatory. There are two most popular absolute encoders, multi-turn and single-turn. Multi-turn absolute encoders track angular movement in several turns, while single-turn absolute encoders track the angular movement in only one mechanical turn of the shaft.
They operate like encoders but use electrical signals instead of optical methods to determine angular positions. Resolvers are preferred in harsh industrial environments due to their robustness and external noise resistance. They provide precise angular information and are often used in aerospace, military, and marine applications.
These are absolute and incremental encoders that rely on light beams to determine position. They are very precise and primarily fit applications that require high resolution and accuracy. Optical encoders employ shiny rotatory parts that have markings. A light beam cuts through the indexed part, and a sensor captures the light fluctuations as it passes through the marking. The pattern the sensor gets is used to calculate the encoder's position.
These encoders use a magnetic field to determine the rotatory position. They are less sensitive to environmental factors than optical encoders and are more suitable for applications where exposure to dust, oil, or vibrations is high. Although generally less precise than optical encoders, advancements in magnetic position encoders have significantly improved their accuracy and reliability.
Description of common industrial applications of Eltra encoders follows below.
Eltra encoders are extensively used in CNC machines to enhance precision and control. Incremental encoders provide positional feedback to the cutting tools, ensuring that the machine follows the exact program trajectory. This tight control enables complex parts to be machined with high precision, reducing human error and increasing production efficiency. The result is improved quality of the machined parts and reduced wastage of materials due to more accurate cuts.
Robots use absolute encoders to enhance their movement accuracy. Since these encoders give the exact positional information even after power loss, they enable robots to resume their position precisely after power interruptions. Their most common application is performing complex assembly tasks in manufacturing robots. Using absolute encoders increases efficiency, as the robots do not have to recalibrate their position after every power cycle. This benefit reduces downtime and speeds up production processes in industries.
Eltra encoders monitor and control variables in industrial automation systems. They measure parameters like speed, position, and direction of various machinery and equipment, improving system performance and efficiency. For instance, a rotary encoder in a motor application provides feedback on the motor's rotational position, allowing for precise control. In automated systems, accuracy directly translates into productivity and efficiency. Therefore, Eltra encoders can be a great boon, helping industries optimize processes, reduce errors, and achieve higher levels of output.
Eltra encoders help in speed measurement and correct belt usage. This function is vital because it helps industries that use conveyor systems, such as food and beverage or mining. The encoder adjusts the motor operations to ensure the belt runs smoothly depending on the load or condition. This adjustment prevents motor strains, enhances reliability, and increases the belt's lifespan and its components.
Eltra encoders are widely used to track and control the position of critical components like flaps, landing gears, and actuators in the aerospace sector. These encoders provide precise feedback, which helps ensure the correct and timely movement of these components during flight operations. They also possess high reliability and can easily withstand extreme environmental conditions, making them essential for flight safety and performance.
This section highlights some important features and specifications of Eltra encoders.
The resolution of an encoder denotes the number of pulses per revolution it generates. A higher resolution means more pulses, resulting in fine positional measurement. Precision critical applications typically require high resolution.
Accuracy is the degree of correctness of the measured position compared to the actual position. Repeatability is the ability to get the same result under unchanged conditions. High accuracy and repeatability are crucial for applications requiring precise positional control.
Eltra encoders can be incremental or absolute; the type of signal generated by the encoder is dependent on the type. While incremental encoders generate quadrature signals as the shaft rotates, absolute encoders generate a unique binary code for each position or rotational degree.
Industrial encoders must come equipped with rugged housings and seals against dust, water, and extreme temperatures to ensure they perform optimally in harsh environments. Users should check their environmental rating in the context of application demands.
The first step in installing Eltra encoders is to mount them to a given surface or mechanism. The mount must be stable, well aligned, and vibration resistant.
After mounting, the encoder is coupled to the machine element (like a motor or gear) whose motion it has to measure. The coupling ensures that the encoder receives rotatory motion. During coupling, care must be taken to maintain the alignment and reduce the chance of misalignment or wobbling.
Next, the encoder has to be connected to the power supply and control system through proper wiring. This step needs proper connections to be made while observing the instrinsic electric insulation of the components to prevent shorts or malfunction owing to electrical interference.
After mounting and wiring, an initial test gets performed to ascertain that everything is working as it should. The test involves powering the system and checking the encoder output. The output must be measured and compared to the expected performance so that any discrepancies or errors can be identified and rectified immediately.
Eltra encoders are manufactured to get compliance with several international safety and quality standards. Below are these standards.
ISO 9001 is a general international standard set for quality management systems. It specifies how organizations should demonstrate their ability to consistently provide products that meet customer and regulatory requirements. ISO 9001 certification implies that the organizations have effective quality management systems in place.
These are the two standards generally applied in safety-related control systems for machines and electrical and electronic systems in safety-critical applications, such as industrial automation. ISO 13849 offers guidance on designing these systems using components that fulfill defined safety requirements. Meanwhile, IEC 62061 provides a method based on functional safety for evaluating these systems' performance. Eltra encoders may be found compliant with the requirements of these two rules to ensure machinery safety.
These standards cover electromagnetic compatibility for industrial environments and general homely environments, respectively. They specify the EMS requirements and immunity levels to ensure devices do not cause or are affected by electromagnetic interference excessively. Eltra encoders compliant with these standards help reduce the risk of EMI disrupting machine control or operations.
Various countries have their safety standards for electrical devices. Seven's Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standard in the US usually addresses electrical and mechanical safety issues. In contrast, CE marking in Europe indicates that the product complies with European Union safety, health, and environmental protection requirements. Eltra encoders can be found bearing these markings, thereby certifying their international safety standards.
A1. Various factors contribute to the selection of an Eltra encoder, including its type, resolution, and environmental conditions where it will be used. Application requirements will define whether one needs an absolute or incremental encoder. The operating environment and the machine the encoder will be connected to also have to be considered at length for compatibility. Lastly, one should also consider the power and output type to ensure easy integration with the existing control system.
A2. Yes, Eltra encoders are designed to work under harsh industrial conditions. In fact, Eltra has special series of encoders for such environments, and they come with solid casings, seals against dust and moisture, and resistance to extreme temperatures and vibrations.
A3. Eltra encoders require very little maintenance due to their construction for harsh working environments. However, in applications with heavy contamination or exposure to extreme conditions, periodic checks to ensure proper functioning may be neccessary. Additionally, the lubricated model Encoder Grease should be replaced or replenished whenever necessary to prevent internal parts wear and tear, further enhancing the encoder's life.
