Linear encoders are often used in industry for measuring the displacement of moving parts in autonomous systems. There is a lot of interest for cheaper and easier to make encoders. Fabricating linear encoders in a single process with fused deposition modelling is therefore proposed. In this work we present a working principle and fabricate a prototype of such linear encoder. Linear movement is detected by a conductive tip, sliding across a path of conductive and non-conductive stripes. Using an iterative development approach, three final concepts are proposed. A prototype of each concept is created. They are tested by measuring the voltage drop across a resistor connected in series. It is deduced that the presented prototypes would reliably measure displacement across their whole range of motion.
|
