Splitting Encoders

So, in the last several months I have had several jobs or quotes that require splitting the feedback from a motor to several devices, such as the drive as well as a separate DAQ unit. I'm wondering how other people handle this while keeping the signals clean and without generating a lot of noise.

I'm particularly interested in doing it on AB MPL series motors since I use a lot of them. Rockwell doesn't really seem to like to talk about splitting encoder signals, so I'm wondering what other people have done.

Has anyone used something like this? http://www.amscontrols.com/products/Accessories/encoder-signal-splitter-(6390)

You can use ready made splitters or for fewer outputs you can use a number of Optocouplers:

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/optocouplers/5330019/

AB/Rockwell had an "Encoder Buffer" available as 4 or 8 way output. Don't know if they're still in production.

4100-EF04 and 4100-EF08

BryanG said:

You can use ready made splitters or for fewer outputs you can use a number of Optocouplers:

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/optocouplers/5330019/

Click to expand...

Thanks Bryan, I'll check into those.

JordanCClark said:

AB/Rockwell had an "Encoder Buffer" available as 4 or 8 way output. Don't know if they're still in production.

4100-EF04 and 4100-EF08

Click to expand...

I'd seen references to these before, but I can't find them on the AB website anymore. Up until this morning they also had a 845-BB encoder buffer up there, but now the page seems to have been taken down.

I've found these to be reliable for splitting quad encoder.

http://www.dynapar.com/content.aspx?id=732&terms=splitter

jac said:

I've found these to be reliable for splitting quad encoder.

http://www.dynapar.com/content.aspx?id=732&terms=splitter

Click to expand...

I use those all the time. They are extremely reliable, and enable you to use isolated power supplies for each output. Handy since I often have a need for a 5VDC and some other level for the encoder outputs.

We solve this problem in a different way. Some of our encoder interfaces can be put in high impedance mode so an encoder with a differential output can drive or be the master for multiple motion controllers. The last motion controller on the encoder line must be left in the default state with the termination enabled.

What do these cost approximately? I use a custom built splitter that cost about $300. If this cost less it may be the way to go.

optocouplers are about £20.00 / about $30 / about 30Euro.