WCP DS Encoders

[jijiglobe]

My team is working on a versachassis drivetrain using the WCP DS gearboxes. We bought all the parts and are assembling them, however, we are not sure exactly how to mount encoders. Our team does have a lathe so it would be possible to tap out one of our axles and add a 1/4" shaft with a custom encoder mount... but we would rather not create a custom mount. Has anyone here ever used WCP DS with encoders?

[thatprogrammer]

The standard practice with a WCD is to simply cut a 1/4in hole into one of your drive axles and press an encoder into it.
Here is a picture: http://media.team254.com/2013/02/280705b8-DSC_0257.jpg

[notmattlythgoe]

You could check out this post here (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1502113&postcount=12). I would also check out the thread itself.

[pilleya]

The WCP DS is not designed to mount an encoder, as for shifting gearboxes this will cause complications when writing code to calculate distance travelled etc. However, there is a very nice 3D printed part which should allow you to do this. It utilises the CUI encoders that were available in FIRST choice this year.

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1502113#post1502113

For a WCD the most common thing, is either drilling a hole in an axle shaft and using a grayhill encoder. But it can have alignment related issues. The other method, is turning the shaft down on the lathe to a rod, the same diameter as the encoder shaft, and joining them with a flexible shaft coupling or just a piece of KOP surgical tube( backlash is not a major problem).

You could also try to use the new CTR mag encoders.
http://www.ctr-electronics.com/sensors/srx-magnetic-encoder.html