Mounting encoder

I would use Epoxy Resin. You can get it from most hardware stores. It bonds just about anything to anything.

"Brendan Gillatt"

You mean the one that comes in two parts you have to mix? how easy is to remove it later on if I need? I was going to ask you about thermal properties, since I suspect the motor will get warm eventually, but now I remenber that I've used JBWeld on my motorcycle's radiator, I think it's kind of the same right?

Cheers

Padu

Use a collar around the motor which can be taken off, moved, adjusted, is cheap, is light, will do the job. Come on down to my shop and we'll make one for you.

Wayne

There is virtually no torque on the encoder, so a thin double-sided tape works well. In fact, this is what US Digital sells for their smaller encoder.

If you can find it locally other than in bulk, 3M VBH double-sided tape is perhaps the best. After a day or so it cures and is generally as strong as many epoxies.

-- Gordon

Padu:

Double sided tape is actually good enough. Just make sure that you get the encoder properly centered. USDigital typically sells/provides a centering "tool" that slips over the shaft and then you put the encoder over the tool. Frankly, you should have received the tools and double sided tape from your vendor.

My robot building partner and I recently purchased a couple of US Digital encoders and they showed up without the centering tool or the spacer (or the electrical cable). A quick call to the vendor resovled the issue.

By the way, we're using the LS7366 to keep track of each encoder. The LS7366 may be a little hard to get, but it sure is easy to use.

My $.02,

-Wayne

"Wayne C. Gramlich"

Wayne(s) and Gordon,

Thanks for the replies. It seems that double sided is the way to go then. I called the motor manufacturer and they said if I wanted to drill the aluminum plate I could do it safely up to 1/4", but I don't have the tools to make a thread on the hole, and the adhesive tape wins in simplicity.

I got the centering tool, but they didn't provide the tape. It should be easy to get from home depot or similar. I won't need an encoder chip for now. I'm using the roboteq motor controller and they take care of the issue (that's what I'm hoping for).

Standard foam tape kinda sucks, but it will work in a pinch. It is not dimensionally stable. However, it's usually not a big issue, unless you notice the encoder rotating a smidge back and forth as the motor reverses. Obviously that's not good.

I may start to sell VHB tape, cut to length, as I do Dual Lock. Most places sell it by the roll, and at $100 a roll, it's expensive when all you need is just a little bit of it.

US Digital usually sells the tool as a separate item, as it's cheaper if you're buying in quantity. If all you get are two encoders, then it makes sense to buy one tool, and two mounting adhesive discs. USD's products are excellent, but their ordering options can be somewhat bewildering. Especially for these new low-cost encoders.

I'm with Wayne on seeing the value in the LS7366. An encoder and counter with a serial output. Finally! With your school connections you might be able to get samples from the manufacturer, which is LSI

-- Gordon

You can buy those motors with an encoder, you know.

I'd suggest finding or making a thick washer that fits the encoder end of the motor. Drill and tap the washer with the desired mounting holes. Glue, solder, or spot-weld the washer to the end of the motor. Then screw on the encoder.

John Nagle

I did something similar to John's suggestion to mount E2 encoders on my drive motors. The motors had some threaded holes at the end, so I made some plates that attached using them, and mounted the encoders as John describes above.

I actually made them out of the aluminum base plate from a 1/4" tape cartridge. I only needed a compass, hacksaw, file, drill, and tap. I have been very happy with the performance of US Digital products.

Jeff.

Yeah - one part's the glue, the other the fixer. This allows you to glue things without any air present making even thick layers of glue very hard.

You'll probably never separate the two but as Wayne mentioned a removable motor mount would probably be very handy.

Yeah - by the looks of it it's the same stuff.

"Padu"

Thank you all for the suggestions.

I've ended up using a double sided tape that is good for metal too. It seems pretty solid. I hope it stays like that with heat and time.

Cheers

Padu