Thread: Which shaft encoder to use?
View Single Post
  #1   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 13-06-2005, 13:24
Jeff Waegelin's Avatar
Jeff Waegelin Jeff Waegelin is offline
El Jefe de 148
AKA: Midwest Refugee
FRC #0148 (Robowranglers)
Team Role: Engineer
  
Join Date: Aug 2001
Rookie Year: 2001
Location: Greenville, TX
Posts: 3,132
Jeff Waegelin has a reputation beyond reputeJeff Waegelin has a reputation beyond reputeJeff Waegelin has a reputation beyond reputeJeff Waegelin has a reputation beyond reputeJeff Waegelin has a reputation beyond reputeJeff Waegelin has a reputation beyond reputeJeff Waegelin has a reputation beyond reputeJeff Waegelin has a reputation beyond reputeJeff Waegelin has a reputation beyond reputeJeff Waegelin has a reputation beyond reputeJeff Waegelin has a reputation beyond repute
Which shaft encoder to use?
I'm currently designing a holonomic drive system, and I want to use shaft encoders to measure wheel speeds. What kind of encoders should I use for this purpose? I tried looking in the DigiKey catalog, but I don't know much of anything about sensors (I'm an ME student), so I couldn't decide which type of encoder I should use.

Also, how does one mount an encoder on a shaft? I know some people use gearing for potentiometers, to increase resolution, but would you do the same thing to an encoder (if it were running at too many RPMs, perhaps)? The shaft I'd be measuring is 1/2", and spinning at 150-470 RPMs, depending on which gear the transmission is in.

Anyways, I'd appreciate any help I can get on either question (which to buy, and how to mount). Thanks!
__________________
Jeff Waegelin
Mechanical Engineer, Innovation First Labs
Lead Engineer, Team 148 - The Robowranglers