US Digital E4P encoders and CIMple gear box

FIRST General Forum
1

Your kit includes two E4P-360-250-D-H-D-B. These are miniature optical encoders with two-channel quadrature outputs. They are 360 codes per revolution and fit on a 0.25" shaft. See the E4P web page.

That is fromhttp://www.usdigital.com/first
It says maximum shaft size is 1/4". But they are suppose to fit on CIMple gear box. now the output shaft of CIMple gear box, where encodere is attached is 3/8"
http://www.andymark.com/product-p/am-0740.htm

Diameter of small end: 0.374 inch

So how are they suppose to fit?
And if they do fit then they should fit directly on CIM’s output shaft since the diameter of that shaft is 5/16" right? And are E4P able to keep up with 1:1 CIM full power?
Thanks

2

I’m pretty sure the small end diameter referred to on that AM page is the small bearing seat before the further step down to the encoder shaft. I haven’t run across any AM shafts that don’t have the proper 1/4" shaft for an encoder, if they have one.

And yes, if properly installed, the E4P is easily capable of keeping up with the output of the CIMple box.

3

Yeah I checked cad file and it is just like you said. Is there any way to attach those encoders on 5/16" shaft? Thanks

4

No. The E4P is not designed for shafts greater than .250".

There are three options to read the RPM on a 5/16" shaft:

  • link it to an idler wheel with a .250" output, and have the encoder read that
  • turn down the encoder end of the shaft to .250"
  • buy another encoder designed for 5/16" shaft
5

Thanks!
I think we will turn down the end of the shaft to 0.250". since they have tolerance of 0.020" we just need to turn it down by 1 mm. Filing the ends should do it.