This section provides an overview for magnetic encoders as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 17 magnetic encoder manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked magnetic encoder companies as of November, 2024: 1.Dynapar Corporation, 2.Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation, 3.Phoenix America LLC..
Table of Contents
Categories Related to Magnetic Encoders
A magnetic encoder is a position sensor that utilizes magnetic sensors to detect the position and movement of an object. It operates by converting changes in magnetic field distribution into electrical signals, representing physical quantities like linear displacement or rotational angle.
Encoders come in two main types: linear, for measuring straight-line motion, and rotary, for detecting rotational movement, with rotary encoders being more prevalent in applications involving motors.
Magnetic encoders excel in industrial settings, offering robust resistance to contaminants such as oil, water, and dust, as well as to harsh conditions like high temperatures and mechanical vibrations. They're ideal for machine tools, industrial machinery, and environments prone to dust or liquid exposure.
These encoders are preferred over optical types for their compact size, lower part count, and reduced power consumption, making them suitable for applications where space efficiency and energy savings are priorities.
Magnetic encoders can provide both incremental and absolute output. Incremental output relays position relative to a start point, while absolute output indicates the exact position at any time. The unique capability of magnetic encoders to easily output absolute angles stems from the direct correspondence of voltage waveforms to absolute angles.
Key components of a magnetic encoder include a magnetic sensor and a permanent magnet mounted on the moving part.
These sensors, typically Hall or magnetoresistive (MR) elements, detect changes in magnetic fields. Hall elements use the Hall effect to generate a voltage proportional to magnetic flux density, while MR elements change resistance in response to magnetic field strength.
Attached to the moving object, the permanent magnet's position changes with motion, altering the magnetic field's distribution. This change in flux density is converted by the magnetic sensor into electrical signals, providing position information.
While magnetic encoders are effective in many applications, they can be sensitive to magnetic interference, especially near electric motors, and generally offer a narrower operating temperature range. Their accuracy and resolution may not match that of optical or capacitive encoders, but they are less affected by environmental contaminants.
The magnetic sensor, often a Hall element, is typically fabricated from semiconductor materials like indium arsenide, gallium arsenide, or silicon, each offering distinct advantages in terms of sensitivity and temperature stability.
Permanent magnets in magnetic encoders are usually disk-shaped, with material choices including ferrite, neodymium, and samarium-cobalt, selected based on cost, size, weight, and temperature performance requirements.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
Sort by Area
The Timken Company is a manufacturer and supplier of power transmission products and industrial bearings established in 1899 and based in North Canton, Ohio, United States. The company primarily produces power transmission products such as lubrication systems, gear drives, and transmission belts. It also offers various bearings for industrial applications, including spherical, cylindrical, and housed unit bearings. The company is ISO 9001-certified, and mainly serves clients in the automotive, energy, and aerospace industries.
Phoenix America, founded in 2000 and based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, is a manufacturer and supplier of sensors, encoders, and technology. The company manufactures magnetic sensors, gear tooth sensors, hall commutators, anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) sensor chips, and elevator encoders, among other products. It also produces encoders and sensors for textile and paper processing machines. Its flow sensing sensors provide very clear visibility through non-ferrous objects and, when interfaced with a custom developed magnetic propeller, can sense through a plastic tube.
Renishaw is a British manufacturer and supplier of engineering technology products and solutions established in 1973 and based in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom. The company primarily produces equipment for metrology, spectroscopy, and healthcare, including coordinate measuring machines (CMMs), dental scanners, and Raman spectrometers. They also offer long-term support services, such as calibration, refurbishment, repair, and upgrades. Renishaw has more than 5,000 employees across its network of subsidiaries and sales offices in over 36 countries.
Motion Control Products Ltd., established in 1994 and based in the United Kingdom, is a manufacturer of advanced motion control and automation products. The company produces products such as actuators, drives, motors, multi-axis controllers, and mechanical components and supplies them to the original equipment manufacturers' applications. With the ISO 9001: 2015 accreditation, the company maintains quality in every product manufactured at its manufacturing facility. The company operates in different locations in the USA, Hong Kong, and Mainland China.
Suzhou SDK Electronics Technology Co., Ltd., founded in 2007 in China, is a manufacturer and trading company. The company specializes in offering dependable, reasonably priced, durable, and quality-tested speed sensors, dual Hall effect latch, Hall effect latches, BLDC motor position sensors, and magnetic digital position sensor ICS. The company is known for its expertise in Hall Ics, Hall Switch, and Magnetic Digital Position Sensors. These components are widely respected worldwide for its quality and reliability.
Innovative Automation Products, founded in 1995 in the United States, is a manufacturer of automation equipment. The company specializes in the design and production of remarkable automation products. Its products are used in a wide range of industries, including automotive, aerospace, and medical. The company aims to provide its customers with advanced solutions that improve efficiency and productivity. It offers a range of products, including robotic systems, conveyors, and assembly equipment.
Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation, founded in 1980, is a Japanese manufacturer headquartered in Chiyoda City, Tokyo, specializing in sensing devices and integrated circuit (IC) products. The company’s product offerings include magnetic sensors, current and gas sensors, audio devices, and specialty devices. These products have diverse applications, such as in personal electronics, where AKM provides compact and low-consumption features for sound and magnetic sensing. They offer CO2 sensors and transceiver IC for millimeter-wave radar with high spatial recognition for smart homes. Additionally, AKM provides rotation angle sensors in industrial equipment like robots and motors to achieve accuracy and off-axis alignment simultaneously.
Rotary and Linear Motion Sensors (RLS) is a magnetic encoders and components manufacturer founded in 1989 and based in Komenda, Slovenia, partnering with British engineering company Renishaw PLC in 2000. The company primarily produces various incremental and absolute rotary and linear magnetic encoder models, magnetic sensor ICs, optomodules, and analogue interpolators. Other products include photodiode arrays used for spectroscopy, as well as optical scanning and barcode reading. These are used for applications in the manufacture of surgical and collaborative robots, submarine technology, heavy machinery, and the aerospace industry.
Bogen Magnetics GmbH is a DIN EN ISO 9001:2015-certified manufacturer of magnetic measurement tools established in 1951 and located in Berlin, Germany. The company offers linear magnetic scales for accurate positioning and speed control applications, and rotary magnetic scales for determining rotational positioning information. It also offers a range of magnetic sensors for standard industrial applications, and magnetic heads for read-write operations on magnetic media. The company’s products are commonly used in industrial manufacturing, automation, and robotics operations.
Hutchinson, established in 1853 and headquartered in Paris, France, is a global developer and manufacturer of belt dive systems, body sealing systems, fluid management systems, vibration control systems, and precision sealing systems. The company’s products include universal design seats, nacelle fire seals, magnet rings for engines, anti-vibration mount paulstradyn, and diesel engine cooling. The product's applications cut across various sectors such as automotive & trucks, oil & energy, defense, industry, and aerospace. It offers aerospace services that consolidate all services and spares around the cabin, airframe, and engine.
Dynapar Corporation is an American manufacturer of motion feedback control products that was established in Gurnee, Illinois, in 1955 before its acquisition by the Fortive Corporation in 2016. The company primarily produces specialized resolver and rotary encoder models. These specialized models include incremental encoders, frameless resolvers, and resolver transducers. It also offers related accessories such as encoder testers, mounting brackets, and encoder cables. The company chiefly serves its clients in North America’s oil and gas, power generation, and metalworking industries.
NIDEC COPAL ELECTRONICS was established in Japan in April, 1967 as a specialty manufacturer of electronic components. NIDEC’s offerings have increased to serve the automotive, construction, medical equipment, FA equipment, analytical measuring equipment, and residential security industries. Among the offerings are components for LiDAR, railway pressure sensors, CPAP, dialysis, MRI, and ultrasonography machines, wireless base stations, and power tools. These components include switches, sensors, mirrors, motors, and fans.
Sichuan Aikron, founded in 2002 in China, is a manufacturer and supplier of linear encoders and digital readout (DRO) systems. The company has strong technical innovation and a track record of producing outstanding products. One of the company's products is the AIKRON A30 LCD DRO, which is a 7-inch true color LCD display with a die-casting casing, preposition-displaying reminders and a built-in type operation manual. It is affiliated with the Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Panels Group based in Sichuan Province, China.
Renishaw plc., established in 1973 and based in Wotton-under-Edge, United Kingdom, is a manufacturer of analytical instruments, medical devices, and manufacturing technologies. Some of the products it stocks include additive manufacturing systems, open optical encoders, and neurological products, and it operates in the Americas, EMEA, and APAC regions, with 67 locations in 36 countries. Throughout its history, the company has spent 13% to 18% of its annual sales in R&D and engineering. In 1981, it set up its first international manufacturing facility in Ireland, and in 1984, it was listed in the London Stock Exchange unlisted securities market.
Sai Services, founded in 1985 in India, is a company that specializes in manufacturing and supplying digital readout systems (DROs) and linear scales. It offers a wide range of products, including linear glass scales, magnetic linear sensors, wire encoders, press brake scales, shaft and linear encoders, and digital readout systems (DROs). The company is known for providing products at affordable prices. It is also engaged in retail trading, multi-product, multi-location, and professionally managed services. The company is managed by experienced graduate engineers specializing in automobiles and is determined to provide quality products and services to its customers.
POSITAL is a leading supplier of advanced industrial position sensors used in motion control and safety systems. The company is known for innovation in product design and manufacturing, as well as being a pioneer of Industry 4.0/IIoT. As a member of the FRABA group, POSITAL has a history dating back to 1918 and has played a significant role in the development of rotary encoders and other sensor products. POSITAL has a global presence with subsidiaries in Europe, North America, and Asia and works with sales and distribution partners worldwide.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Dynapar Corporation |
12.4%
|
2 | Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation |
11.9%
|
3 | FRABA Inc. - POSITAL |
7.5%
|
4 | Phoenix America LLC. |
7.5%
|
5 | Suzhou SDK Electronics Technology Co., Ltd. |
6.5%
|
6 | Sai Services. |
6.0%
|
7 | Innovative Automation Product |
6.0%
|
8 | Sichuan Aikron Precision Tool Co., Ltd. |
6.0%
|
9 | HUTCHINSON |
5.5%
|
10 | Motion Control Products Ltd. |
5.5%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the magnetic encoder page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 2 | 16.7% |
United Kingdom | 2 | 16.7% |
China | 2 | 16.7% |
Japan | 2 | 16.7% |
India | 1 | 8.3% |
Slovenia | 1 | 8.3% |
Taiwan | 1 | 8.3% |
Germany | 1 | 8.3% |
9 products are listed.
Rocky Co., Ltd.
60+ people viewing
■ AET series The AET series is a new rotation/linear sensor encoder of off -axis using tunnel magnetic resistance (TMR). Please contact us as there...
Hans Turck GmbH & Co.
40+ people viewing
It surely monitors the rotation speed and detects the position, direction, and angle of the rotation. Encoda can be used for various industrial mea...