Connecting Encoder to Motor

[bprzybyl]

Hello,
I recently purchased 3 Pittman DC Servo Motors. My problem is, I don't know how/where to connect an encoder. There is only one shaft coming out of the motor, aside from .05" of it sticking out of the rear end of the motor. How am I supposed to connect an encoder to that?

Thanks,
Brooks

[Al_The_Man]

You either make up an extension by threading the shaft if large enough or if the motors operate a ballscrew direct, the encoder can go on the other end, or on other driven member.
Al.

[bprzybyl]

What about this-
In a drill press (all I've got which holds the work), I take a block of aluminum, plastic, whatever, and drill a hole matching the diameter of the drive shaft. After, I will take and put the motor into it, making the shaft perfectly lined up with the drill. Then drill it out to the right size, and tap it. Then I can use whatever shaft size I want, just put a threaded end on whatever size shaft I want.

Sound good?
Thanks,
Brooks

[skip20]

Buy pittman motors with encoder, they are cheaper then buying encoder & lest work.

[Bubba]

I have a couple of servos that I added encoders to on the back by making a small extension to the back of the shaft. It has a 1/8 dia spigot on the end that is inserted into a 1/8 hole in the back shaft of the servo (snug fit) and then locktited it in. There are no real forces on the encoder wheel so it works very well. Or as refrenced, you can mount the encoder on the end of the ball screw. I have one that is done that way and works very well.

Bubba

[bprzybyl]

I'm gonna do it your way, bubba. Only difference is I will thread it incase the encoders end up needing bigger diameter shafts (eBay).

Thanks all.

[Bubba]

The first one I made and extender for was threaded (both parts female thread and then used a socket head setscrew to screw everything together (locktited), but the last couple have been only locktited in and it has worked fine. By the way, the encoder disks that I used are 1/4" ID so that is not a problem. I just turned the adapters up in the lathe real quick.

Bubba