Sensors
High resolution and precision.
maxon develops and manufactures magnetic, optical, and inductive encoders as well as DC tachometers and resolvers to provide optimal solutions for a variety of applications and different industries.
maxon sensors: Key information at a glance.
maxon encoders, DC tachometers, and resolvers offer precision and a high signal resolution. Sensors can only be acquired as a component of a combination. For resonance reasons, the sensors are mainly mounted on motors with a continuous shaft. The mounting procedure matches the selected motor type and is performed at the supplying factory.
We have structured our series in accordance with key parameters to help you find the appropriate sensor faster.
| ENX MAG4 ... 10 mm | ENX GAMA10 / 13 mm | ENX QUAD10 mm | ENX EASY10 / 16 mm | ENX EASY INT13 ... 22 mm | ENX EMT22 mm | TSX MAG40 mm | TSX RIO40 mm | Encoder EASY16 mm | Encoder MR8 ... 25 mm | ENX RIO16 mm | Encoder OPT8 mm | Encoder Rio16 mm | Encoder Enc, AEDL, HED, 22 ... 70 mm | Encoder MILE45 ... 90 mm | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Action type | Magnetic | Magnetic | Magnetic | Magnetic | Magnetic | Magnetic | Magnetic | Optical | Magnetic | Magnetic | Optical | Optical | Optical | Optical | Inductive |
| Configurable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Signal type | Incremental | Incremental | Incremental | Incremental / absolute | Incremental / absolute | Absolute | Incremental | Absolute & Incremental | Incremental / absolute | Incremental | Incremental | Incremental | Incremental | Incremental | Incremental |
| Resolution | 1 ... 256 cpt | 12 ... 16 cpt | 1 cpt | 1 ... 1024 cpt / 4096 steps | 1 ... 1024 cpt / 4096 steps | 17 bits & 65 536 turns | 1792...2560 cpt | 524 288 cpt / 21 bit | 128 ... 1024 cpt / 4096 steps | 16 ... 1014 cpt | 512 ... 65 536 cpt | 50 cpt | 1024 ... 32 768 cpt | 100 ... 5000 cpt | 256 ... 6400 cpt |
| For motor type | DC / EC | DC | DC | DC | EC | DC / EC | EC-i or frameless DT | EC-i | EC | DC | DC | DC | EC | DC / EC | EC (flat) |
| Integrated in the motor | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Size | 4 ... 10 mm | 10 / 13 mm | 10 mm | 10 / 16 mm | 13 ... 22 mm | 22 mm | 40 mm | 40 mm | 16 mm | 8 ... 25 mm | 16 mm | 8 mm | 16 mm | 22 ... 70 mm | 45 ... 90 mm |
| Additional property | No | Radiation-resistant | No | No | Sterilizable | Multiturn and battery-free | Hollow shaft, closed and open versions | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Go to shop | Go to shop | Go to shop | Go to shop | Go to shop | Go to shop | Go to shop | Go to shop | Go to shop | Go to shop | Go to shop | Go to shop | Go to shop | Go to shop | Go to shop |
Encoder
Magnetic encoders.
In magnetic encoders, a small permanent magnet is mounted on the rotating motor shaft. Sensors in the stator capture the changes in the magnetic flux. The signals are evaluated in the encoder and transmitted to the controller as pulses.
- Compact design
- 2- or 3-channel encoder
- Good price-performance ratio
- Resistant to dirt
- Also available as absolute encoders
- Also available, for example, as radiation-resistant, sterilizable or magnetoresistive versions
- Easily configured online
Encoder
Optical encoders.
In optical encoders, an LED emits light through a finely structured pulse disk or onto a structured reflector (maxon RIO encoders). The receiver, mounted on the motor shaft, converts the light/dark signals into electrical currents that are amplified and turned into electrical pulses by the corresponding electronics.
- Digital incremental encoders
- 2- or 3-channel encoder
- Optimum resolution
- Resistant to magnetic interference
- AEDL encoder attachment: Up to 5000 pulses
- HEDL and HEDS encoder attachments with RS422 line driver
- Easily configured online
Encoder
Inductive encoders.
With inductive maxon MILE encoders, a high-frequency alternating field is transmitted via a transformer and at the same time modulated in an angle-dependent way, using a structured copper disk. They optimally complement maxon EC flat motors.
- Integrated in the motor
- Digital incremental encoders
- 2-channel encoders
- Resistant to dirt
- Resistant to magnetic and electrical interference
- High speeds possible
Resolver
Resolvers.
The resolver is perfectly aligned with the rotor’s magnetic field. A high-frequency alternating voltage (10 kHz) is transmitted to the rotor via a transformer. During retransformation on two stator coils, the signal is modulated with the sine/cosine of the rotation angle. Using this method, the rotor position of DC motors can be determined precisely.
- Robust, for industrial use
- Long service life
- No mechanical wear and tear
- Interference-free signal transmission over long distances
- No sensitive electronics
- Special signal evaluation required
DC Tacho
DC tachometers.
For motor-tachometer combinations, maxon offers a shaft-mounted DC tachometer. Suitable for direction detection with analog speed signal.
- Precious metal brushes: DC voltage output proportional to speed
- AlNiCo magnet for high signal stability in the event of temperature fluctuations
- Without additional tachometer bearing; no added friction torque
- No couplings, high mechanical resonant frequency
Easy to configure. Large selection.
Quick availability, support during purchasing, and customized configuration for your application upon request. And there are many more reasons to use our online shop:
Product programs
Selection
Find the right drive system by entering a few parameters.
Selection
6000
Products with more than one million possible combinations.
Information
Downloads
CAD and product data, manuals, and software can be downloaded via the shop.
Shipping
Fast delivery
Fast prototyping and automated processes ensure that configured drives are produced and ready for delivery within a short period of time.
Global network
Customer service
The maxon sales support is available for all customer-specific queries. Worldwide.
Configuration
Your ideal drive
The online configurator guides you through all options step by step.