Engineering Interpretation of Resolution and Accuracy in Industrial Rotary Encoders
In the technical specifications of rotary encoders, resolution and accuracy are two of the most frequently referenced parameters by engineers, yet they are also among the most commonly misunderstood. In many industrial projects, excessive emphasis is placed on high resolution while the overall system accuracy is overlooked, often resulting in increased cost without a corresponding improvement in performance. From an engineering perspective, a correct understanding of the relationship between resolution and accuracy is essential for proper encoder selection. 1. Definition of Resolution and Its Engineering Implications The resolution of a rotary encoder describes the smallest detectable angular increment within one mechanical revolution. For incremental encoders, resolution is typically expressed as pulses per revolution (PPR), while for absolute encoders it is...
