What Kills Encoders in Pulp & Paper Mill Environments

Posted by Jay Goree | View all of Jay's blogs on Jun 10, 2015 1:36:24 PM

Bearings and seals are the main failure items for any encoder in a mill environment today. Lip seals, shaft seals and bearings all have static surfaces in contact with rotating surfaces. Gradually these seal points will wear or break down and allow material to pass into the encoder housing and contaminate optics and short electronics. As bearing surfaces wear, radial movement increases at both seal surfaces, accelerating failure and causing optical path misalignment. Eliminating the bearings and seals from your encoder applications will drastically lengthen the life of your feedback devices.

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Topics: Pulp and Paper

Wind Systems Magazine's Q&A with Brian Winter

Posted by Gabrielle Gillota | View all of Gabrielle's blogs on Mar 12, 2015 3:46:21 PM



Wind Systems Magazine interviewed Nidec Avtron Encoders’ Product Manager Brian Winter about encoder trends in the wind industry.

Check out the article at www.windsystemsmag.com/article/detail/877/conversation-brian-winter
or read it here:



Conversation: Brian Winter

Brian Winter
Encoder Product Manager
Nidec Avtron Automation
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Topics: Wind Power

How Stacker Cranes Benefit From Absolute Encoders

Posted by Brian Winter | View all of Brian's blogs on Feb 17, 2015 8:07:50 AM

Overview

Stacker_Crane

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Topics: Absolute Encoders

How Truck Mounted Cranes Benefit From Absolute Encoders

Posted by Brian Winter | View all of Brian's blogs on Jan 6, 2015 8:38:53 AM

Overview

Truck Mounted Cranes are an indispensable tool on many construction sites. The compact dimensions and mobility of the truck allow the crane to be driven to the work site and set into position. Although the crane may appear small on the truck, once the support system and telescopic mast are extended, it becomes an impressive piece of transport machinery. The operating range of the booms on these types of cranes was once much more restricted, but today, PLC controls and absolute encoder technology ensure that the boom can be pushed to its limits.

Absolute encoder technology is used on truck mounted cranes to increase the range and accuracy of positioning the boom, and to increase safety. Absolute encoders are used as part of the safety system that locks the crane automatically before the system reaches critical limits.

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Topics: Absolute Encoders

Container Cranes Benefit From Reliable Absolute Encoders

Posted by Brian Winter | View all of Brian's blogs on Dec 16, 2014 8:07:00 AM

Overview

Container Cranes are a common sight at ports.  What's new is their improved automation to ensure higher performance and operator safety.

To ensure higher performance, OEMs install absolute encoders, typically 4 units:

  • Each main hoist motor (x2)
  • Trolley
  • Boom (angle)

OEMs and end-users are depending on the absolute encoders--typically the main hoist encoder positions are compared in software--if there is any difference, the crane will shut down.  Likewise, accurate boom angle and trolley position is critical. Errors can result in crane malfunctions or shutdowns.

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Topics: Absolute Encoders

Crawler Cranes Benefit From Reliable Absolute Encoders

Posted by Brian Winter | View all of Brian's blogs on Dec 9, 2014 2:51:46 PM

Overview

crawler_crane

Crawler cranes are a common site on construction sites.  What's new is their improved automation to ensure higher performance and operator safety.

To ensure higher performance, OEMs install absolute encoders, often on the winches for boom control and/or hook position.

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Topics: Absolute Encoders

UL Class and Division Encoders

Posted by Brian Winter | View all of Brian's blogs on Jun 11, 2014 4:00:00 PM

In this blog, we'll take a look at encoders that are tested to meet UL Class and Division standards, that is, NEC500 requirements for oil and gas drilling.

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Topics: Top Drive Encoders, Oil and Gas Encoders

Get Rid of the Claptrap!

Posted by Brian Winter | View all of Brian's blogs on May 28, 2014 9:00:00 AM

Rotary encoders can have their own reliability problems.  So how can you eliminate items around the encoder that decrease reliability on your drilling equipment?

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Topics: Top Drive Encoders, Oil and Gas Encoders

Understanding New Safety Certifications for Encoders: IECEx, ATEX, UL, CSA, CE

Posted by Brian Winter | View all of Brian's blogs on May 21, 2014 9:57:00 AM

So you are wondering about safety certifications for rotary incremental encoders?  This is a complex issue, and in this post, we'll do our best to explain the certifications, and how they apply to encoders.

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Topics: Top Drive Encoders, Oil and Gas Encoders

4 Steps to End Encoder Failures

Posted by Brian Winter | View all of Brian's blogs on May 7, 2014 1:58:00 PM

Recently, I was invited by Design World to provide some insight into encoder failures.

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Topics: Top Drive Encoders, Oil and Gas Encoders

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Reduce Encoder Failures

This blog is dedicated to finding and eliminating encoder failures on heavy duty industrial equipment.


Industries
   - Oil & Gas
   - Wind Power
   - Cranes
   - Mining
   - Metals
   - Marine
   - Pulp & Paper

Topics
   - Root Causes
   - Design Selection
   - Troubleshooting
   - Cabling & Associated Equipment

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