Automated and electronically controlled systems abound in modern mobile equipment used in industries such as construction, material handling, mining, rail maintenance, agriculture, and firefighting. It’s critical that sensor technology be robust enough to handle the shock, vibration, dust, moisture, and other hazards common to mobile equipment operating environments. For accurate control, often a rotary encoder is the preferred sensor for motion feedback, provide the temperature, ingress protection and other environmental ratings are suitable.
The Mobile Equipment industry typically uses encoders for the following functions:
Motor Feedback - Automated guided vehicles, mobile lifts, hoists
Registration Mark Timing - Hoist turrets, firefighting spray turrets, harvesters
Backstop Gauging - Railway inspection systems, extendable booms
Spooling - Crane/hoist reel monitoring, pipe inspection equipment