A Quad B refers to the set of output quadrature signals from an incremental quadrature encoder to indicate speed and direction, including complements: A, A NOT, B, B NOT (, , , ). Most Avtron encoders offer A Quad B output at no extra cost.  For more information on quadrature- Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadrature_phase

AN-DG was a digital encoder sold by General Electric, 8.5" NEMA FC face mount. It is now obsolete. It may be directly replaced by an Avtron AV850 encoder.

Also known as DC tachogenerators, Analog Tachogenerators are small DC generators that output a voltage in proportion to speed. They cannot indicate position, only speed and direction of rotation. A common mounting style of analog tachogenerator was the General Electric BC42 and BC46 Series with NEMA 56C Foot or Face Mount, and the smaller 5PY flange mount unit. Analog tachogenerators can be replaced with modern digital encoders. Avtron offers a complete retrofit package using the existing flange adapter and coupling already on the motor and a Frequency to Voltage Converter like the Avtron K661, which resides in the drive cabinet.

Motor shaft movement in or out, relative to the ends of the motor. Often motors that use roller or sleeve bearing construction have more axial shaft movement. Most Avtron modular encoders tolerate +/- 0.050" of axial movement maximum. Use hollow shaft encoders for high axial movement motor styles, such as MD motors. Most competitors’ modular encoders tolerate much less axial movement than Avtron products.

An analog tachogenerator manufactured by General Electric, part number 5BC42xxxxx, NEMA 56C face or foot mount, coupled. It is now obsolete. It may be replaced by an Avtron encoder combined with a K661 converter solution.

An analog tachogenerator manufactured by General Electric, part number 5BC46xxxxx, NEMA 56C face or foot mount, coupled. It is now obsolete. It may be replaced by an Avtron encoder combined with a K661 converter solution.

A machined flange or elevated/recessed face provided on motors for mounting accessories. Typically provided on the drive end for gearbox/load mounting, C-faces may also be provided on the non-drive end for mounting encoders, brakes, and other accessories.

A Cam Screw Rotor eliminates the problems associated with slipping rotors of other types; it uses two cam (eccentric) head screws. The screws are preloaded into the rotor; simply rotate them (approximately 90°-180°) to fully engage the shaft (4-6 ft-lbs) using a standard hex (Allen) wrench. Cam screw rotors are available on AV850, AV56, AV67, AV85, and AV115 THIN-LINE II™ encoders. Cam Screw Rotor Patent # 7,485,997. Cam Screw Rotor™ is a trademark of Avtron.

A device which indicates position and speed via a set of digital outputs. Incremental encoders output quadrature (A Quad B) signals, and may add a marker pulse once per revolution.  Absolute encoders typically indicate position via a digital message, a set of parallel outputs, or analog values.

A machined surface (NEMA 56C, NEMA FC) on the non-drive end of the motor is used to mount bearingless or pancake encoders such as Avtron AV56 THIN-LINE II™ encoders. Solid shaft, coupled tachometers also flange mounted using flange adapters, also called flowerpots.

A Flange Adapter provides the NEMA 56C motor mounting face and properly locates the encoder shaft. The encoder shaft and motor shaft are then connected using a flexible coupling. (Drawing "A") Often flange adapters can be eliminated by directly mounting a modular encoder such as an Avtron AV125, AV850, AV56, AV67, AV85, AV115 unit on the motor flange. (Drawing "B")

Heavy Mill Duty encoders are designed to withstand temperature cycling, extreme temperatures, contaminants, bearing loads, and physical force.

The preferred encoder connector of most users in North America. It contains a full size terminal strip and, unlike the MS connector, requires no soldering for quick field connections. Avtron offers pin-for-pin exact replacements for competitors’ models using industrial EPIC® style connectors. EPIC® is a registered trademark of the Lapp Group.

Magnetic and magnetoresistive encoders typically use a magnetized rotor with north and south poles lined up around the perimeter of the disk. A magnetoresistive sensor detects the transitions, and these are the counts or pulses generated by the encoder. Magnetic encoders withstand dirt, dust, water, and temperature changes far better than optical encoders.

A magnetized disk with multiple north and south poles lined up around the perimeter of the disk. A magnetoresistive sensor detects the transitions and generates the pulses generated by the magnetic encoder.

A sensor that detects the magnetic poles on an encoder's magnetic rotor and transforms them into pulses. Avtron magnetoresistive (MR) sensors use advanced technology to reject external magnetic signals such as brake solenoids and motor magnetic fields. MR sensors enable Avtron magnetic encoders to ignore dirt, oil, water, and other contaminants.

The Marker Pulse occurs once per revolution. The purpose of the marker pulse is to provide a repeatable home position location for positioning applications. The marker pulse is often abbreviated as "ØZ" or "Z" in the USA and "C" or "N" in Europe.

Modular Encoders mount to a machined C-face or flange adapter on the motor (drive or non-drive end). Modular encoders consist of a rotor that mounts on the shaft, and a stator that bolts to the motor frame. Modular encoders are very rugged, and Avtron encoders feature Wide-Gap sensors to avoid complex shimming or fitting to the motor. Modular C-face encoders are typically used on DC motors; but some AC motors, such as Rockwell’s RPM III AC and Marathon’s Blue and Black Max motors, have C-faces standard on the non-drive end for mounting an encoder.

The most used encoder connector style in North America. Available in 6, 7, and 10 pin versions, with 10 pins being the most common. Avtron offers pin-for-pin exact replacements for competitors’ models using MS connectors. MS connectors are extremely reliable but require soldering. Many users prefer industrial EPIC ® style connectors instead. EPIC® is a registered trademark of the Lapp Group.

A NEMA FC face mount is a 8.5" flange with (4) bolts located in a 7.25" circle. Originally used for mounting solid shaft, coupled tachometers using flange adapters, the NEMA FC 8.5" face is a standard for mounting modular encoders. (Drawing "A") Avtron AV85 and AV850 encoders mount directly on NEMA FC 8.5" faces. (Drawing "B")

Pulses Per Revolution. Most Avtron encoders output quadrature pulses, with four times as many lines as pulses. Often lines can be counted in the drive/speed controller for higher resolution applications.

The disk-shaped portion of the modular encoder that is mounted on the motor shaft. Avtron modular encoders use magnetic rotors.

The portion of the shaft (often on the non-drive end of the motor) used to mount an encoder. To add an encoder to a motor or other shaft that lacks enough extra shaft length to install the encoder, an additional shaft length is added. The stub shaft is threaded into the center of the motor shaft, or the existing motor shaft is enclosed in a sleeve that grips the shaft. Avtron offers many standard and custom stub shafts.

Avtron encoders use special optical sensors and magnetoresistive sensors, combined with proprietary circuit designs to allow the sensor to be located much farther from the magnetic rotor or optical disk. This eliminates sensor crashes and makes mounting easy and forgiving of mechanical variation.