I have always used the conveyor tracking application manual (3HAC 16587-1) recommendations for encoder selection of 10,000 counts/meter (after quadrature) and a maximum pulse frequency of 20,000 counts per second. I recently discovered that the Pickmaster product specification (3HAC 5842-7) recommends 20,000-40,000 counts per meter and sets a limit of 50,000 counts per second.
I can understand that the counts per meter recommendation could be higher due to flexpicker performance relative to typical ABB robots, but I don’t understand how the DSQC 377 board can now reliably read 50kHz instead of 20kHz. Has there been a hardware change within the conveyor tracking board to allow these higher pulse rates? Which recommendation (conveyor tracking or Pickmaster) should I use for encoder selection?
Hi Craig
Nothing has changed regarding the hardware.
It’s right that we recommend 20000 cpm and a limit of 50kHz.
Note that the frequency is pending on the speed of the conveyor. With an encoder of 20000 cpm, you may run up to 2500 mm/s before hitting the limit of the encoder.