Tiny Tech, Big Impact: Rotary Encoders Are a Critical Link the Agrobot Revolution

A recent GlobalData report highlights the impressive growth of the robotics industry in agriculture (reaching $218 billion by 2030), a key component behind this revolution often goes unnoticed: the rotary encoder. These unsung heroes convert rotational motion into precise electrical signals, playing a vital role in ensuring the smooth, accurate movements of agricultural robots.

Intrinsically Safe Absolute Rotary Encoders

In the most hazardous environments, where an explosive atmosphere consisting of flammable gas or vapor is regularly present and a sensor fault cannot be risked, Intrinsically Safe (IS) sensors may be the best sensing option. Generally, these sensors are paired with a barrier which limits the amount of electrical and thermal energy that can enter the Hazardous Area to an amount that is so small that even in the situation of a sensor fault, there is not enough energy to cause an ignition.

Why Holistic Encoders are More Accurate

All absolute rotary encoders have a rotor which is attached to the rotating shaft and a stator which is attached to the housing holding the shaft. The interaction of these two components produces a measure of the shafts rotational angle. The most important parameters of absolute rotary sensors are resolution, accuracy and tolerance to misalignment of the rotational axes.

Improved Encoder Accuracy Brings Hidden Benefits

Capacitive rotary encoders such as those from Netzer Precision are known for their low profile, high noise immunity and excellent accuracy. As a result, they are an excellent choice for applications such as camera systems, radar, slip-rings and robotic joints. Often times in these tasks the encoder is used for velocity feedback, ensuring a smooth […]