The vital role of encoders in robotics
Wafer handling in semiconductor industry
Encoders are embedded in robotic arms to provide real-time position feedback, ensuring precise alignment and preventing damage during wafer manipulation.
➤ Encoders for robotic precision and reliability
Microelectronics assembly
➤ Encoders for high-accuracy robotic component placement
Pick-and-place robotics
➤ Encoders for fast and precise motion control
High-speed robotic packaging
➤ Encoders for fast and reliable robotic automation
Surgical robotics
➤ Miniature encoders for safe and precise robotic-assisted procedures
Encoders for modern robotics – enabling design flexibility and energy efficiency
➤ Scalable encoder technology for diverse robotic applications
These encoders support flexible mechanical designs, enabling seamless integration into a wide variety of robot types—from collaborative arms and autonomous mobile robots to surgical and pick-and-place systems.
Whether your application demands high-speed motion control, multi-axis synchronisation, or micron-level accuracy, Renishaw offers a high-quality encoder solution tailored to your robotic performance requirements.
Not sure which encoder suits you?
What to consider when selecting encoder systems for robotics?
Performance
✔ Resolution
✔ Rotary range
✔ Sub-divisional error
✔ Controller input frequency
✔ Speed
✔ Readhead mass
✔ Cable flex radius
✔ Cable flex life
Environment
✔ Temperature
✔ Humidity
✔ Vibration
✔ Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)
✔ Cleanliness (particle, fluid)
✔ IP rating
✔ Vacuum / exposure to X-ray radiation / lighting
Installation
✔ Size
✔ Ride height tolerance
✔ Yaw / pitch / roll
✔ Connectors
✔ Cable extension
✔ Mounting method
Others
✔ Analogue / digital
✔ Interpolation clock frequency
✔ Reference limit
✔ Protocol
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To keep balance is a difficult task as we use reduction gears that introduce some elasticity or non-linearity; so for us, it's really important to get both the position of the motor and position of the joint.
PAL Robotics (Spain) 
High-quality encoder feedback is required for the servo-control of each joint in terms of applied torque, velocity and position. Non-contact magnetic encoders, including the AksIM™ and Orbis™ non-contact magnetic encoders, were integrated into knee, wrist and elbow joints of the robot.
Renishaw and RLS did not try to sell us something we did not need. They thought about what it is that we needed and how they could help us with that.
Project MARCH (The Netherlands)
Self-balancing robotic vehicle
Engineering students from Tokyo Denki University were tasked with solving the classic 'inverted pendulum' control theory problem. The challenge is to create a two-wheeled, self-balancing robotic vehicle.
To achieve the required level of motion control performance, a high-resolution position encoder was a crucial part to enable monitoring and regulation of the motor output.
It also had to be small and light enough to be accommodated within the vehicle's slim vertical structure.
Exoskeletons - reliable feedback even after a power failure
Exoskeletons can give those with physical disabilities the potential to stand, move and interact with their environment. These complex robotic systems must have a lightweight and compact structure and they must be easy - even for physically weakened patients - to use, and all while implementing a physiologically complete biomechanical model.
We needed encoders that met our performance criteria without adding excess weight and volume, as any excess in the structure could be detrimental to the user's mobility and might hamper the walking movement.
Marsi Bionics (Spain)
For electric vehicles (EVs)
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A non-contact high-performance off-axis absolute rotary encoder designed for applications with limited installation space. The compact, low-profile readhead detects and evaluates the magnetic field of a thin, axially magnetised ring.
✔ True absolute
✔ Improved repeatability
✔ Built-in self-monitoring
✔ Immunity to external magnetic fields
An through-hole rotary encoder suitable for applications where a typical encoder cannot be mounted at the end of the rotating shaft due to space constraints. The through-hole measuring principle allows customization, with various board and magnet sizes to suit your application.
✔ True absolute encoder
✔ Fixable mounting along the shaft
✔ Optional self-calibration
✔ Wide installation tolerances
A compact, super small high-speed rotary magnetic encoder designed for use in harsh environments. The noncontact two part design removes the need for seals or bearings ensuring longterm reliability and simple installation.
✔ Miniature
✔ Non-contact, frictionless design
✔ Industry standard analogue sinusoidal, incremental, SSI and linear voltage output formats
✔ RoHS compliant
The true-absolute encoder with a high-speed fine-resolution position measurement system. Position is acquired immediately on start-up without requiring any motion, offering smooth velocity control and dependable positional stability. Available with linear and rotary scales with a variety of serial interfaces.
✔ High speed
✔ Excellent dirt immunity
✔ Low SDE
✔ Low jitter
An extremely robust absolute linear cylindrical encoder system designed to be integrated into the servomechanism as a transducer, providing accurate measurements with excellent resolution and repeatability.
✔ Built-in self-monitoring
✔ Integral bearings
✔ Small footprint
✔ Suitable for highly dynamic control loops
Speak to out manufacturing consultants
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Case Studies
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