Types of Optical Encoders

Depending on the type of motion sensing and output requirements, there are different types of optical encoders:

Incremental Encoders: These provide a serial train of digital pulses corresponding to incremental angular or linear movements. They indicate motion direction but do not provide absolute position information.

Absolute Encoders: Unlike incremental Optical Encoders  these can sense and output the absolute position information of a shaft at any time instantly, without the need for homing or reference point.

Linear Encoders: Used to sense linear motion along a line, they have a coded strip instead of a disk and photodetector arrays aligned along the length.

Rotary Encoders: As the name suggests, these are used for sensing rotational motion of a shaft. The encoded disk is attached to the rotating shaft.

Multi-turn Encoders: Can sense several complete revolutions of a shaft in addition to incremental position changes within each revolution.

Non-contact Encoders: Do not require physical contact between the encoder and detected components, using infra-red light barriers instead of direct coupling.

Applications

Due to their high precision, reliability and non-contact operation, optical encoders are widely used in automation, robotics, motion control and industrial equipment. Here are some common applications:

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