What is a multiturn rotary encoder?

A multiturn rotary encoder is a sensor that measures the angle of rotation of a shaft, as well as the number of complete revolutions that the shaft has made. This is in contrast to a single-turn encoder, which only measures the angle of rotation, 0 – 360°. Multiturn encoders are used in a variety of applications where it is important to track the position of a moving object, such as in machine tools, robotics, and automation systems.

Inductosyn: End of an Era, New Opportunities or Both?

Recently, obtaining the Inductosyn and components for maintenance has become more difficult. For decades the Inductosyn from Farrand Controls / Ruhle Companies sat near the top of the rotary sensor hierarchy. Providing sub 2 arcsec (0.5 mdeg) accuracies, it combined the robustness of a resolver with the performance of the best optical encoders. Despite its shortcomings, it found plenty of customers, from airborne infrared and radar systems, to telescopes, satellite communication antennae (SATCOM), machine tooling and low-pressure vacuum chambers.

Wiegand Effect Energy Harvesting

The “Wiegand effect” was discovered almost fifty years ago and has been used successfully in several specialized applications. However, its full potential for energy harvesting and signal generation has received only limited recognition. With recent enhancements to the energy output from Wiegand devices and the emergence of a new generation of ultra-efficient electronic chips for wireless communications, the technology is showing significant promise, especially in the exciting new area of the Internet of Things (IoT). UBITO, a member of the FRABA Group of technology companies, is leading research and development projects aimed at fulfilling this promise.

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.