A. PET film type (Transmissive/Reflective)
Manufacturing Method: Die-cutting film sheet
This type of product is manufactured by forming fine patterns on PET film sheet material and die-cut processing.
Mass production at low cost is available.
B. Metal type (Transmissive)
Manufacturing method: Etching SUS or other metals
This type of product is manufactured by Photo-etching on stainless steel (SUS) material.
This product is not the best choice for high resolution applications, but it can be produced at a relatively low cost.
C. Hybrid type – high precision metal (Transmissive/Reflective)
Manufacturing method: Precise etching on nickel clad material
This type of product is manufactured by etching a nickel clad material (Ni-Cu-Ni patented material) developed for industrial encoders.
Our etching technology used to make this product has succeeded in achieving dimensions and accuracy that were not possible with conventional etching processes.
Etching Dimension accuracy list (Transmissive style)
| Thickness (t), mm | Minimum diameter (D), mm | Tolerance, mm |
|---|---|---|
| 0.04 | 0.040 | ±0.008 |
| 0.06 | 0.050 | ±0.008 |
| 0.08 | 0.060 | ±0.008 |
| 0.10 | 0.075 | ±0.008 |
| 0.15 | 0.150 | ±0.01 |
| 0.20 | 0.200 | ±0.015 |
- The standard for the minimum slit size D is 75% of the plate thickness. (Transmissive style)
- In the case of t=0.15 mm and 0.20 mm, plate thickness is 120% of t. (Transmissive style)
Etching Dimension accuracy table (Reflective style)
| Thickness (t), mm | Minimum diameter (D), mm | Tolerance, mm |
|---|---|---|
| 0.07 | 0.04 | ±0.008 |
| 0.10 |
See Technical Specifications for encoder wheel (disk).
Other features
- Our unique hybrid material enables high precision and high accuracy etching process.
- The bar shape is sharper and the pattern reproducibility is higher, making it suitable for absolute types compared to the conventional etching method,.
- Reflective types have a high contrast between reflective and non-reflective area.
- Reflective types are less susceptible to humidity than film products.
D. <Patented> Mirror black type (Reflective)
Manufacturing method: Etching metal + Low reflection black treatment
The patented and trademarked “Mirror Black®” is a reflective encoder scale made of SUS material with high-precision etching and low reflection black treatment.
This type of product has high resolution and excellent light/dark ratio (SN ratio), and provides the same performance as glass scale at a lower cost.
See Technical Specifications for encoder wheel (disk).
Other features
- We realize high SN ratio, combining high reflectivity by SUS mirror finishing and low reflectivity by our unique matte black treatment.
- Flat structure achieves minimized unevenness of the bar pattern, leading to minimal signal noise.
Assemblies with hubs
Encoder Disk Unit
