--- title: Encoders and Tachometers | Metals description: Metals | encoder and tachometer selection and troubleshooting guide --- [![Nidec-Avtron-Encoders-Logo](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Nidec-Avtron-Encoders-Logo.png?width=581&height=100&name=Nidec-Avtron-Encoders-Logo.png "Nidec-Avtron-Encoders-Logo")](https://www.nidec-avtronencoders.com/) - [Find An Encoder](https://www.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders) - [Cross Reference Engine](https://www.nidec-avtronencoders.com/cross-reference) - [Get a Quote](https://www.nidec-avtronencoders.com/configurator) - [Accessories](https://www.nidec-avtronencoders.com/accessories) - [Industries](https://www.nidec-avtronencoders.com/industry) - [Videos](https://www.nidec-avtronencoders.com/videos/) - [Contact Us](https://www.nidec-avtronencoders.com/contact) ## [Magnetic Encoder Advantages in Metals Industry Applications](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/magnetic-encoder-advantages-metals-industry) Posted by [Dave Woodward | View all of Dave's blogs](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/author/dave-woodward-view-all-of-daves-blogs) on Jun 7, 2017, 11:51:54 AM [![](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/hubfs/Magnetic_Encoder-1.jpg)](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/magnetic-encoder-advantages-metals-industry) This blog will discuss why magnetic encoders overcome limitations and provide superior reliability in metals applications. [Read More](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/magnetic-encoder-advantages-metals-industry) Topics: [Metals](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/topic/metals) - [mailto:?body=https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/magnetic-encoder-advantages-metals-industry](mailto:?body=https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/magnetic-encoder-advantages-metals-industry) - ## [Why Optical Encoders Fail in Metals Industry Applications](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/why-optical-encoders-fail-in-metals-industry) Posted by [Dave Woodward | View all of Dave's blogs](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/author/dave-woodward-view-all-of-daves-blogs) on Apr 3, 2017, 2:25:19 PM [![](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/hubfs/optical-encoder_HS_final.png)](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/why-optical-encoders-fail-in-metals-industry) This blog will introduce various metals industry encoder applications and discuss typical challenges.  These challenges can be grouped into Environmental Challenges and Mechanical Duty Challenges. [Read More](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/why-optical-encoders-fail-in-metals-industry) Topics: [Metals](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/topic/metals) - [mailto:?body=https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/why-optical-encoders-fail-in-metals-industry](mailto:?body=https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/why-optical-encoders-fail-in-metals-industry) - ## [Metals Encoder Application Challenges](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/understanding-metals-industry-speed-feedback-devices-0-0) Posted by [Dave Woodward | View all of Dave's blogs](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/author/dave-woodward-view-all-of-daves-blogs) on Mar 2, 2017, 11:39:55 AM [![](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/hubfs/Blog_Pictures/DW-Blog_1.png)](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/understanding-metals-industry-speed-feedback-devices-0-0) This blog will introduce various metals industry encoder applications and the environmental and mechanical challenges they present. [Read More](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/understanding-metals-industry-speed-feedback-devices-0-0) Topics: [Metals](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/topic/metals) - [mailto:?body=https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/understanding-metals-industry-speed-feedback-devices-0-0](mailto:?body=https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/understanding-metals-industry-speed-feedback-devices-0-0) - ## [Understanding Metals Industry Position Feedback Devices](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/understanding-metals-industry-speed-feedback-devices-0) Posted by [Dave Woodward | View all of Dave's blogs](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/author/dave-woodward-view-all-of-daves-blogs) on Feb 16, 2016, 10:46:52 AM [![](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/hubfs/Blog_Pictures/MetalsBlog_Fig-1.png)](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/understanding-metals-industry-speed-feedback-devices-0) **Understanding Metals Industry Position Feedback Devices** This blog will introduce the three main types of position feedback devices from a historical perspective and discuss their uses in metals processes. [Read More](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/understanding-metals-industry-speed-feedback-devices-0) Topics: [Metals](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/topic/metals) - [mailto:?body=https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/understanding-metals-industry-speed-feedback-devices-0](mailto:?body=https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/understanding-metals-industry-speed-feedback-devices-0) - ## [Understanding Metals Industry Speed Feedback Devices](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/understanding-metals-industry-speed-feedback-devices) Posted by [Dave Woodward | View all of Dave's blogs](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/author/dave-woodward-view-all-of-daves-blogs) on Nov 12, 2015, 10:54:36 AM [![](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/hubfs/Blog_Pictures/Analog-Tach-Generator-coupled-to-a-motor.png)](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/understanding-metals-industry-speed-feedback-devices) **Speed Sensors** The Dictionary.com definition for Tachometer: \[ta-kom-i-ter, tuh-\] any of various instruments for measuring or indicating velocity or speed So tachometers are speed measurement devices.  Their use in the metals industry goes back decades to the development of analog drive control systems.   This blog will introduce the three main types of speed feedback devices from a historical perspective and discuss their uses in metals processes. [Read More](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/understanding-metals-industry-speed-feedback-devices) Topics: [Metals](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/topic/metals) - [mailto:?body=https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/understanding-metals-industry-speed-feedback-devices](mailto:?body=https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/understanding-metals-industry-speed-feedback-devices) - ## [Understanding Metals Industry Rotary Sensors](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/understanding-metals-industry-rotary-sensors) Posted by [Dave Woodward | View all of Dave's blogs](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/author/dave-woodward-view-all-of-daves-blogs) on Aug 19, 2015, 8:46:00 AM [![](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/hubfs/Blog_Pictures/WP_Metals_2_6.png)](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/understanding-metals-industry-rotary-sensors) They are called many things: tachometers, tachos, tach-generators, pulse generators, resolvers, encoders, incremental encoders, absolute encoders, rotopulsers, selsyns, the list seemingly goes on and on. How does the metals industry electrical professional know what all these devices are and what kinds he has or needs? In the first of a three-part series, this blog will introduce the main metals industry rotary motion sensors, speed and position. [Read More](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/understanding-metals-industry-rotary-sensors) Topics: [Metals](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/topic/metals) - [mailto:?body=https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/understanding-metals-industry-rotary-sensors](mailto:?body=https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/understanding-metals-industry-rotary-sensors) - [1](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/topic/metals/page/1) ### 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 ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Recent Posts ### Post by Topics - [Oil and Gas Encoders (9)](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/topic/oil-and-gas-encoders) - [Top Drive Encoders (9)](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/topic/top-drive-encoders) - [Absolute Encoders (6)](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/topic/absolute-encoders) - [Metals (6)](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/topic/metals) - [Encoders (2)](https://blog.nidec-avtronencoders.com/encoders/topic/encoders) [![Share on facebook](https://7528309.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528309/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/facebook-color.png?width=24&name=facebook-color.png)](https://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.nidec-avtronencoders.com%2Fencoders%2Ftopic%2Fmetals%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on linkedin](https://7528302.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528302/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/linkedin-color.png?width=24&name=linkedin-color.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.nidec-avtronencoders.com%2Fencoders%2Ftopic%2Fmetals%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on twitter](https://7528304.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528304/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/twitter-color.png?width=24&name=twitter-color.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.nidec-avtronencoders.com%2Fencoders%2Ftopic%2Fmetals%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.nidec-avtronencoders.com%2Fencoders%2Ftopic%2Fmetals%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) [![Share on email](https://7528311.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528311/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/email-color.png?width=24&name=email-color.png)](mailto:?subject=Check+out+https%3A%2F%2Fblog.nidec-avtronencoders.com%2Fencoders%2Ftopic%2Fmetals%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail&body=Check+out+https%3A%2F%2Fblog.nidec-avtronencoders.com%2Fencoders%2Ftopic%2Fmetals%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ### Recent Posts