Exploring The Pros And Cons Of Solid Shaft Encoders

Solid shaft encoders are a form of rotary encoders that offer plenty of benefits, such as high durability, excellent resolution, and compatibility with different types of equipment. However, it also has its fair share of disadvantages, such as complexity during installation and limited load-bearing capacity. In this blog, Walker Machinery, a major distributor of digital encoders and DRO units in Milton, Ontario, explores these pros and cons in detail.

What Are The Major Pros Of Solid Shaft Encoders?

Robust Design

Solid shaft encoders are known for being quite robust. This is mainly due to the inherent design of the rotary encoder, which allows it to handle some load and challenging conditions. So if the encoders are exposed to dust, moisture, or other contaminants, it won’t compromise the performance of these digital encoders.

High Resolution And Accuracy

Apart from being durable, shaft encoders are also known for their high resolution and accuracy. This means that they provide superb feedback in terms of both position and speed, and have the ability to repeat this accuracy with a high degree of precision. 

Excellent Compatability

Lastly, solid shaft encoders are highly versatile in nature. They can be paired with a wide range of machinery and equipment, such as gearboxes, motors, and drive systems.

What Are Some Cons Of Solid Shaft Encoders?

Complex Coupling

Perhaps the biggest drawback of solid shaft encoders lies in the complexity it produces while coupling. Since it does require additional coupling apparatus to mount and function properly, it can increase the overall size of the operation, drive up the costs, and make its upkeep a little more detailed.

Possible Limit To Load-Bearing Capacity

While the solid shaft allows for some good load-bearing capacity, the same setup also acts as a detriment in some cases. So users must know the load capacity of the solid shaft encoder before considering it for any application.

Conclusion

To sum it up, solid shaft encoders offer robustness, versatility, and high accuracy as their major advantages. However, the design can make mounting and coupling a little more complex. If you want to know which type of rotary encoder is best-suited for your application, contact us at Walker Machinery today. As one of the leading distributors of digital encoders in Milton, Ontario, we offer myriad types of CNC control systems, such as digital readouts and digital encoders. To learn more, give us a call at 905-876-0890 today to obtain a free quote.

FAQs:

What are hollow shaft encoders?

Hollow shaft encoders are a form of rotary encoder that don’t feature a solid shaft in the center, allowing for easier coupling.

What are the applications of solid shaft encoders?

Primary applications of solid shaft encoders include CNC machining, robotics, servo motor systems and more.