Hollow shaft encoders Manufacturers online

Hollow shaft encoders are special encoders that have a hollow center through which the machine shaft to be measured is guided.

This design offers a number of advantages and is particularly popular in automation and mechanical engineering.

Below you will find the functionality of hollow shaft encoders, an overview of types, their areas of application, their advantages and important aspects of their use:

How it works:

The shaft is guided directly through the hollow space of the encoder so that no couplings or additional mechanical connections are required.
By being mounted on the machine shaft as it passes through, hollow shaft encoders measure the speed, angle of rotation and position of this shaft.

Types of hollow shaft encoders:

• Incremental: Detects relative movement and emits pulses per revolution to measure speed and direction of movement.
• Absolute: Measures the exact position of the shaft, even after a restart, and outputs unique position information.

Applications:

1. Mechanical engineering:
Position detection in rotating machines or axes, such as in machine tools or conveyor systems.

2. Robotics:
Measurement of joint positions and rotations on robot arms.

3. Drive technology:
monitoring of motors and gearboxes, e.g. in servo drives and synchronous motors.

4. Wind turbines:
Speed measurement in large rotors where robust and reliable sensor technology is required.

Advantages of hollow shaft encoders:

• Simple installation: as the shaft is guided directly through the encoder, installation is simpler and requires no additional coupling or special mechanical connection.
• Compact design: Hollow shaft encoders save space and reduce installation effort as no additional bracket is required.
• High flexibility: They can be used on a wide variety of machine shafts with different diameters, which increases adaptability in industrial applications.
• Less wear: By eliminating mechanical couplings, wear is minimized, which increases the service life of the encoder.
• Precise measurements: Hollow shaft encoders offer high measurement accuracy, making them ideal for applications with high position sensing requirements.

Aspects of their use:

• The hollow shaft encoder must fit the shaft (correct shaft diameter), and mounting should be smooth.
• Pay attention to protection against environmental influences such as dust or moisture (e.g. IP protection classes), especially in industrial or harsh environments.
• Temperature and vibration resistance should match the environment in which the encoder is used.
• It can be used in confined or difficult to access areas as it does not require additional mounting points.
• Thanks to the direct connection to the shaft and without an intermediate coupling, the measuring accuracy is increased as play or tolerances are minimized.

Hollow shaft encoders offer space-saving, easy installation and are particularly useful in industrial applications where direct mounting on the shaft is desired. They combine precise measurement with robust construction, making them ideal for a wide range of applications in automation, drive technology and robotics.

Here are the most important aspects to look out for when buying hollow shaft encoders:

When purchasing a hollow shaft encoder, several factors should be considered to ensure that the device meets the requirements of your application:

• The hollow shaft encoder must match the diameter of the shaft. Make sure that the encoder is suitable for the shaft or supports different adapters for different shaft sizes.
• The encoder should be easy and secure to mount on the shaft, e.g. using clamps or screws. Stable mounting is important to avoid measurement errors.
• Incremental or absolute:
• The incremental hollow shaft encoder measures relative movements and outputs pulses per revolution, ideal for applications where only the speed or direction of movement is important.
• The absolute hollow shaft encoder provides the exact position of the shaft, even after a power failure or restart, and is ideal for positioning tasks.
• Depending on the application, a high number of pulses per revolution or a high resolution is required for absolute encoders to measure precise movements and positions.
• Pay attention to accuracy, especially for precise applications in automation or robotics.
• Depending on the place of use, the hollow shaft encoder should be protected against dust, moisture or other environmental influences. A protection class of IP65 or higher is often required in harsh industrial environments.
• Make sure that the encoder is suitable for the operating temperatures of your application. Some models offer extended temperature ranges that are required for extreme environments.
• Vibration and shock resistance is particularly important for applications in highly vibrating environments or machines.
• The encoder should support interfaces that are compatible with your control system, such as SSI, CANopen, Profibus, Ethernet or Analog/TTL.
• Make sure that the type of signal output (e.g. HTL, TTL) matches the requirements of your system.
• Pay attention to the size of the hollow shaft encoder. The installation space should be sufficient, especially in compact machines or confined installation areas.
• In applications where lightness is important, the weight of the encoder should be taken into account.
• The encoder should have an integrated or external torque support to avoid mechanical stresses and ensure a long service life.
• The encoder must be designed for the maximum speed of your application. overloading can lead to malfunctions or premature wear.
• The encoder should be able to withstand loads caused by the movement of the shaft without being damaged.
• Choose a device that meets your specific requirements without unnecessarily expensive additional functions. It is important to weigh up the cost of additional features and protection classes.
• Pay attention to the manufacturer's warranty and technical support. Reliable service is important in the event of breakdowns or technical issues.

When purchasing a hollow shaft encoder, you should pay attention to shaft compatibility, environmental conditions, resolution, interfaces and robustness in terms of mechanical and thermal loads. These factors influence the long-term reliability and accuracy of the encoder in your application.

Hollow shaft encoders can be purchased from various suppliers. Comprehensive information about manufacturers and suppliers of Hollow shaft encoders from all over the world can be found on Exportpages.