Optical Encoder Strip

About our products

We specialize in the manufacture and sale of Optical Linear Encoder Strips.

We can customize specifications such as the bar width, pitch width, tolerance, and accuracy when manufacturing a linear encoder strip to suit your needs.

Optical Linear Encoder Strip

Product Description

Here are the descriptions of our products.

What we handle

Material Metal, PET film, Resin
Applicable encoder types Incremental type, Absolute type
Types Transmissive, Reflective
Resolution 150, 180, 300, 360 LPI
Combined processing Assembly with a hub, Reinforcement plate, Double-sided tape, Water-repellent processing(only for film)

Click here for an explanation of the terms.

Customizable specifications

Reflectivity Negotiable
Accuracy Resolution of the bar (LPI or CPR) and Tolerance
Bar pattern Depending on Incremental or Absolute
Cost Depending on Material and Processing methods
Size Length and Width

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The processing materials range from PET film, metal, and high-precision metal, and we can propose the most suitable material according to the application, accuracy, and price.

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Our product lineup

  Type Style
A PET film Transmissive/Reflective
B PET film for long linear scales Transmissive/Reflective
C Metal Transmissive
D Hybrid – high precision metal Transmissive/Reflective
E Mirror black Reflective
F Long linear scales Transmissive/Reflective

Click on each link above for more details.

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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 press processing.

Mass production at low cost is available.

 PET film type Optical Linear Encoder Strip

See Technical Specifications for encoder strip

B. PET film type for long linear scales (Transmissive/Reflective)

Manufacturing Method: Die-cutting film sheet

We manufacture long linear scales with a total length of 3m class (minimum slit width is 0.04mm).

Even if you need the product with a slit width of less than 0.04mm, don’t hesitate to contact us.

PET film type Linear Encoder Strip

C. 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.

Metal type Optical Linear Encoder Strip

See Technical Specifications for encoder strip

D. 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.

Hybrid type Optical Linear Encoder Strip

 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 0.18 ±0.01
0.20 0.24 ±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 strip

Other features

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  • 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.
  • Linear encoder strips with the length of up to 600 mm are available.

E. <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.

Mirror black type Optical Linear Encoder Strip

See Technical Specifications for encoder strip

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.

Click here for an explanation of the terms.

Examples of Assembled Products

Assemblies with hubs

example products 1

Encoder Disk Unit

example products 2

Advantages of using custom linear encoder strip

Accuracy Our product can be incorporated into off-the-shelf encoders to increase accuracy.
Size It can be installed in places where off-the-shelf encoders would not fit.
Production You can choose from a single prototype to mass production.
Cost Since the material and precision can be determined, the cost can be kept to a minimum.

Usage of our products

  • Industrial robots and positioning servos
  • Automation of production plants
  • Automotive industry
  • OA equipment
  • Machine tools
  • Measuring instruments

Technical Specifications for Encoder strip

Click here for an explanation of the terms.

Type\Specification Material Minimal Bar width, mm Bar width tolerance, mm Pitch tolerance, mm
Film
(Transmissive style)
PET 0.025 ±0.003 ±0.002※
Film
(Reflective style)
PET 0.025 ±0.005 ±0.003※
Metal
(Transmissive style)
SUS 0.08 (in the case of t=0.05) ±0.015 ±0.003
Hybrid
(Transmissive style)
Ni-Cu-Ni 0.04 (in the case of t=0.04) ±0.008 ±0.005
Hybrid
(Reflective style)
Ni-Cu-Ni 0.04 ±0.008 ±0.003
Mirror black
(Reflective style)
SUS 0.035 ±0.003 ±0.001

Type Function
Film (Transmissive/Reflective styles)

Size change coefficient to temperature: 18µm/m°C(1.8×10-3%°C)

Size change coefficient to relative humidity: 10μm/m(1.0×10-3%RH)

Aluminum vapor deposition type with 60% or more of high reflection, 10% or less of low reflection (Reflective type)

Metal (Transmissive style) Good corrosion resistance and durability
Hybrid (Transmissive style)

High accuracy and high resolution

60% or more of high reflection, 10% or less of low reflection (Reflective type)

Mirror black (Reflective style)

High accuracy, high resolution, good dark/light ratio, good SN ratio

60% or more of high reflection, 10% or less of low reflection (Reflective type)

Need more information?

Contact us to request pricing, availability and customization options

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