Encoder Products Company Expands Motion Feedback Capabilities with the Launch of the 36RT/H Accu-CoderPro Field-Programmable Incremental Encoder
A new 36 mm compact solution offers unprecedented versatility, custom resolutions from 1 to 100,000 CPR, and extensive field programmability designed to streamline inventory management and optimize motion-control systems.
Main Facts
Encoder Products Company (EPC)—a recognized leader in the design and manufacture of motion feedback devices—has officially introduced the 36RT/H Accu-CoderPro, an advanced field-programmable incremental encoder housed within a compact 36 mm profile. Engineered to meet the demanding requirements of modern industrial automation, robotics, and motion-control systems, the 36RT/H is specifically tailored for applications that demand high-precision adjustable resolution, highly configurable output signals, and reliable feedback in space-constrained environments.
The newly released encoder is available in two distinct mechanical configurations: hollow-bore and thru-bore designs. This versatility ensures seamless integration into a wide variety of motor shafts, machinery, and motion assemblies. To further maximize its utility across diverse engineering environments, the 36RT/H accommodates bore sizes up to 10 mm.
At the core of the 36RT/H Accu-CoderPro is its exceptional programmability. The device supports a massive user- or factory-programmable resolution range, spanning from 1 to 100,000 Cycles Per Revolution (CPR). By pairing the hardware with EPC’s proprietary PR2 Programmer and accompanying free-to-use configuration software, engineers and technicians gain the ability to customize the encoder directly in the field. Users can choose from over 40 distinct waveform output options, enable complex motor commutation, and precisely set index locations.
This adaptability allows a single physical encoder unit to serve multiple roles throughout a machine’s lifecycle. Consequently, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), system integrators, component distributors, and end users can drastically reduce the number of discrete encoder configurations, spare parts, and stock-keeping units (SKUs) they must maintain in their inventory.
Chronology of Development and Release
The journey toward the release of the 36RT/H Accu-CoderPro reflects industry-wide shifts toward modularity, reduced inventory overhead, and rapid system commissioning.
Phase 1: Identifying Market Demands for Compact Flexibility
Over recent years, engineers designing compact servo motors, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), medical devices, and packaging machinery encountered a persistent dilemma. While high-resolution feedback was essential for accurate motion control, traditional optical and magnetic encoders were typically hard-coded at the factory for a single resolution and output type. If an application requirement changed late in the design cycle—or if an end user needed a replacement part—engineers were forced to wait for custom factory builds or maintain extensive stocks of different part numbers. EPC’s engineering and product development teams identified this bottleneck as a primary target for innovation.
Phase 2: Integrating Programmability into a 36 mm Form Factor
While programmable encoders were not entirely new to the broader market, scaling advanced programmability down into a robust, high-performance 36 mm housing presented significant engineering challenges. Component miniaturization required careful thermal management, vibration resistance, and electronic optimization. By leveraging advanced surface-mount device (SMD) technology and robust firmware architecture, EPC successfully integrated a wide-range programmable core into the compact Accu-CoderPro mechanical envelope without sacrificing durability or signal integrity.
Phase 3: Developing the Ecosystem (PR2 Programmer and Software)
To ensure the hardware reached its full potential, EPC concurrently refined its software and hardware programming ecosystem. The integration with the PR2 Programmer was tested extensively to ensure intuitive plug-and-play capability. The accompanying software interface was engineered to give users rapid access to critical parameters—such as CPR scaling, waveform output selection, index adjustment, and commutation settings—within seconds rather than hours.
Phase 4: Official Product Launch and Global Availability
The official rollout of the 36RT/H Accu-CoderPro marks a significant milestone for EPC’s product roadmap. Announced via the company’s primary channels and industry platforms, the encoder is now fully available to global markets, supported by comprehensive technical documentation, digital configuration tools, and direct customer engineering support through encoder.com.
Supporting Data and Technical Specifications
To fully understand the engineering footprint of the 36RT/H Accu-CoderPro, it is essential to examine its core technical parameters, mechanical options, and operational metrics.
Technical Specifications Matrix
| Feature Category | Specification Details |
|---|---|
| Product Name | 36RT/H Accu-CoderPro |
| Manufacturer | Encoder Products Company (EPC) |
| Housing Diameter | 36 mm compact profile |
| Encoder Type | Field-programmable incremental encoder |
| Mechanical Formats | Hollow-bore and thru-bore configurations |
| Maximum Bore Size | Up to 10 mm |
| Resolution Range | 1 to 100,000 CPR (factory- or user-programmable) |
| Programming Hardware | EPC PR2 Programmer |
| Software Support | Free companion configuration software |
| Output Options | Over 40 waveform output options |
| Advanced Functions | Motor commutation enabled, customizable index location |
Operational Flexibility and Inventory Impact Data
In a typical industrial supply chain, maintaining a robust inventory of rotary encoders can tie up significant capital. A standard motion-control distributor might stock dozens of unique part numbers to cover various resolutions (e.g., 1024 CPR, 2048 CPR, 4096 CPR, 10000 CPR), diverse bore sizes, and specialized electrical outputs (such as Push-Pull, Line Driver, or Open Collector).
By adopting the 36RT/H Accu-CoderPro ecosystem, the data suggests a dramatic consolidation of stock:
- SKU Reduction: Facilities can potentially consolidate dozens of discrete part numbers down to a single core hardware model paired with the PR2 programming kit.
- Lead-Time Elimination: Custom factory lead times for specific resolutions are eliminated because technicians can configure the unit on demand at a workbench or directly on the factory floor.
- Error Mitigation: Reduces the risk of incorrect parts being installed during emergency maintenance or system upgrades, as the unit can be adapted to match legacy specifications instantly.
Official Responses and Industry Perspectives
The introduction of the 36RT/H Accu-CoderPro has drawn considerable attention from automation specialists, design engineers, and industry analysts who monitor motion feedback trends.
Industry Response to Compact Programmability
Industrial automation experts have long emphasized that downtime is one of the costliest factors in modern manufacturing. When an encoder fails on a high-speed packaging line or an automated sorting system, every minute spent waiting for a replacement part translates into lost revenue.
Feedback from early industry evaluations highlights the value of the 36RT/H’s field-reprogrammability during system commissioning. Engineers note that being able to alter resolutions and output waveforms in situ—without tearing down mechanical assemblies or replacing internal hardware—fundamentally alters how rapid prototyping and troubleshooting are conducted.
Manufacturer Vision
While specific executive commentary accompanying the release emphasizes EPC’s ongoing commitment to user-centric engineering, the underlying philosophy of the Accu-CoderPro line is clear: provide industrial-grade durability alongside modern digital flexibility. By putting powerful configuration tools directly into the hands of end users, EPC bridges the gap between rigid, high-performance industrial hardware and the agile demands of modern smart manufacturing.
Implications for OEMs, Integrators, and End Users
The commercial and technical implications of the 36RT/H Accu-CoderPro ripple across multiple tiers of the industrial automation ecosystem.
1. For Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs)
OEMs continually strive to streamline their bill of materials (BOM) and simplify machine designs. By standardizing on the 36RT/H Accu-CoderPro across multiple machine models, an OEM can use the exact same mechanical encoder across diverse product lines—ranging from basic conveyor drives to high-precision robotic joints. The desired resolution and output type are simply programmed at the end of the assembly line. This standardization reduces engineering design time, simplifies procurement, and lowers overall manufacturing costs.
2. For System Integrators and Distributors
For motion-control distributors and automation integrators, inventory carrying costs represent a major operational expense. Stocking a vast array of specialized encoders guarantees that some units will sit on shelves indefinitely, while others may run out unexpectedly. A field-programmable device like the 36RT/H transforms inventory management. Distributors can stock a lean inventory of versatile base units and program them to exact customer specifications upon order, ensuring zero dead stock and lightning-fast fulfillment times.
3. For Plant Maintenance and End Users
In factory environments, maintenance technicians frequently face unexpected equipment failures. If an obsolete or hard-to-find encoder breaks, finding an exact match can take days. With the 36RT/H and a PR2 Programmer on hand, maintenance staff can quickly configure a replacement unit to match the exact electrical and resolution parameters of the failed component. This capability drastically reduces Mean Time to Repair (MTTR) and minimizes costly unscheduled facility downtime.
4. Future Outlook for Motion Feedback Technology
The release of the 36RT/H Accu-CoderPro underscores a broader industry trajectory: the convergence of rugged mechanical durability with software-defined adaptability. As smart factories and Industrie 4.0 paradigms demand greater flexibility, hardware devices that can be dynamically reconfigured via software will increasingly become the baseline standard across industrial automation.
Conclusion
Encoder Products Company has successfully raised the bar for compact motion feedback devices with the launch of the 36RT/H Accu-CoderPro. By combining a robust 36 mm housing, versatile hollow-bore and thru-bore options, an expansive 1 to 100,000 CPR resolution range, and intuitive field-programmability via the PR2 Programmer, EPC has delivered a powerful tool for the modern automation landscape.
Whether deployed in tight robotic joints, complex material handling systems, or delicate medical equipment, the 36RT/H offers a future-proof solution that minimizes inventory headaches, accelerates commissioning, and maximizes operational uptime.
For further technical specifications, software downloads, or to explore the full range of motion feedback solutions offered by Encoder Products Company, visit encoder.com.
