Linear incremental transducer development and production

Linear incremental transducers are devices that detect the position and displacement of a mechanical movement in a straight line. Their operative principle is thus similar to the one of incremental rotary encoders but where those read a circular scale of reference, these operate on a straight-line graduated scale. Incremental linear transducers based on various technologies are available: magnetic, digital and optical scales.

Operation

All linear transducers mentioned here are incremental, that is they measure a series of displacements and not an absolute position.

Magnetic transducers operate on a magnetic principle basis. In these models, the slider contains a magnet and reacts with a polarised magnetic band. The advantage of this system is that it has no electrical contact on the slider, which limits fretting wear whilst offering greater precision and speed. Furthermore, magnetic systems are less sensitive to dirt than optical systems, hence they are more suitable for applications in industrial environments in which processing results in the presence of dust or oils.

Linear transducers with optical scales use optical sensors or photodiodes that read the high-precision graduated notches on a rectilinear guide, measuring the length of the movement performed on this basis. The optical encoder strips are typically used on machine tools.

The incremental linear transducers in the PD-PE series operate on the basis of the optical principle of reading a graduated scale, similar to optical encoder strips. In PD/PE transducers, rather, the reading head and measurement scale are contained in a sturdy aluminium casing that protects against environmental agents and makes assembly especially practical—the transducer structure is actually fixed to the machinery via bracket fasteners or ball joints placed at the ends. The precision of the reading, the simplicity of assembly and the wide choice of measurement (from 60 to 990 mm) make this type of transducer suitable for all applications in which it is necessary to measure a linear shift.

Applications

In the industrial sector, linear incremental transducers are used on a whole range of automatic machines, wherever it is necessary to carry out programmed positioning, advancements in predetermined steps or even simply to display length or thickness measurements. They are usually combined with counting, visualisation and control systems.

Custom models

In addition to a series of widely-used standard models, ELAP develops and produces tailored linear incremental transducers, made to measure displacements in the customer’s specific industrial processes. Thanks to the extremely vast possibility of configuration and calibration of our instruments and to our internal design studio, ELAP products can be tailored to any specific need you may have.

Contact us today for more information, clarifications, or quotes regarding ELAP digital, magnetic and optical line incremental linear transducers!