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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is the typical lead time for custom encoder discs?
Standard lead times for custom glass discs range from 2 to 4 weeks depending on complexity and substrate requirements.
What dimensional tolerances can you achieve?
We typically achieve pitch accuracies better than 0.2μm and feature size tolerances within ±5% of the design specification.
Which material is best for high-temperature environments?
Quartz substrates are recommended for high-temperature or extreme thermal cycling applications due to their low coefficient of expansion.
Do you provide traceability for metrology components?
Yes, all our precision calibration plates and scales can be provided with certificates traceable to international standards (METAS/NIST).
Can you manufacture small prototyping batches?
We specialize in both high-volume production and small-batch prototyping to support R&D phases of product development.
What is an optical encoder disc?
An optical encoder disc is the core optical element of a rotary encoder system, responsible for converting mechanical rotation into a high-resolution electrical signal.
How does an optical rotary encoder work?
An optical rotary encoder works by reading a precision graduation pattern on a rotating disc to produce a continuous electrical signal proportional to angular position or velocity.
What industries use optical rotary encoders?
Optical rotary encoders are used across virtually every industry where controlled or measured rotational motion is involved: industrial automation, robotics, aerospace, medical devices, and so on.
What materials are used for rotary encoder discs?
Sodalime glass is the standard substrate for the majority of industrial and instrumentation encoder discs, offering a well-controlled thermal expansion coefficient of approximately 9 ppm/°C.
What level of precision can be achieved with optical rotary encoder discs?
Selba’s rotary encoder discs are produced using high-resolution laser photoplotting at up to 50,800 dpi, enabling fine-pitch graduation patterns with consistent line widths, sharp edge definition, and micron-level positional accuracy across the full disc circumference.