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Absolute Encoder
Reports a unique absolute shaft position value to the controller without requiring a homing move.
An absolute encoder outputs a unique position value for every shaft angle, so the controller knows the exact position immediately at power-up without needing to move the axis to find a reference mark, unlike an incremental encoder.
This category includes FANUC's pulsecoder as well as similar absolute feedback devices used by other robot brands, typically using an optical disc or magnetic element read by a sensor and encoded into a serial data stream.
Battery backup is what makes the absolute reading persist through a power cycle, so the encoder and its battery are effectively a linked system from a reliability standpoint.
Related components
Common questions
- What does the Absolute Encoder do?
- Reports a unique absolute shaft position value to the controller without requiring a homing move.
- How does the Absolute Encoder fail?
- Common failure modes: Battery depletion causing loss of absolute position reference, Optical or magnetic sensing element contamination, Data transmission error from cable or connector damage, Mechanical coupling wear introducing position offset.
- What fault codes relate to the Absolute Encoder?
- Related codes include SRVO-038, SRVO-062.