Method for the evaluation of optical encoders performance under vibration

Optical encoders are the preferred choice for position measurement, both linear and angular, when high accuracy is required. Their performance is widely affected by deformation, temperature and vibration. This last aspect is analysed, showing the limitations found in conventional methods of performance evaluation. The determining parameters, such as sweep type, sampling rate, trigger etc. are examined and a final diagram of measuring accuracy versus frequency is presented, where aspects as resonance effects and measuring uncertainty are identified and discussed. Experimental analyses have been made in a commercial linear optical encoder and show that its measuring error is three times its precision, and wide areas of large measuring uncertainty are present in the frequency span. The information obtained through this method can be used to improve encoder design and mounting conditions in the machine, reducing the total error.