Hi!
My team needs to do a project which consists on using a DC encoder in Tinkercard, using the gray encoder motor. We have the pulse counter,it moves, etc. But the teachers asks us to use a sensor to know the initial position of the motor. We can’t use libraries from other people, and we need to use the Tinkercard sensors. Any idea of what sensor and how can we use it?
Thanks for your time.
Hello @KaiserKrantz and welcome to the forum!
I haven’t used Tinkercad so I’m not sure what type of encoder is the “gray” one but in general terms, there are two types of rotary encoders: incremental and absolute.
The output signal of an incremental encoder is generated every time the shaft rotates at a certain angle while an absolute encoder has a unique combination for each position of the shaft which represents the absolute position of the motor.
What this means is that if you have an absolute encoder you can use that information to know the initial position of the motor but if you have an incremental encoder you can’t because the encoder can only tell you the rotation angle relative to the index position.
To be able to know the absolute position with an incremental encoder you could use a limit switch. Upon power-up, the controller drives the motor toward the end of the rail with the limit switch until the switch detects arrival at the end. This is then the “0” position and any movement/rotation of the motor is measured via the encoder relative to that fixed position.
You can find more information about encoders in these tutorials:
Thanks for guide for newbie
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