We Songwei side, every year to help hundreds of customers to deal with
Siemens encoder failure and replacement problems, experience, but also seen too many cases of "change the wrong”. This article will help you to avoid pitfalls, change before you get clear and then do it.
What Are the Signs That the Encoder Should Be Replaced?
Not all errors mean that the encoder is bad. Sometimes the problem lies in the cable, the driver, or even the grounding. The following are the real signs to watch out for:
* The machine reports "position lost” or "axis drift”.
* The motor is shaking abnormally, or the axis is moving erratically.
* Alarms that refer to the encoder, such as "Encoder Fault”, "No Signal”, "Feedback Error” and so on.
* The encoder shell has obvious damage, such as cracking, water ingress
* System to be upgraded, older encoder models do not support the new driver or controller
Not sure if it's an encoder problem? Songwei can provide Siemens encoder
testing service, don't rush to buy a new one before confirming that it is bad.
Encoder Is Not a Universal Part, First Figure out Which Kind You Are Using
Siemens encoder is quite a variety of different motors, different occasions with different. Make sure you know before you change them:
* Is it "incremental” or "absolute”?
* Which signal type is it, TTL, HTL, EnDat, SSI or Siemens' own interface?
* What is the resolution? What is the pulse rate (PPR)?
* Is it a Siemens encoder made by Heidenhain? Many Siemens motors are actually Heidenhain products.
Tip: The model number and parameters on the encoder label are the most direct clue. If the label is worn out or hard to read, tell us the model number of your motor and we can help match you to the right encoder as well.
Confirm These Before Replacing
Replacing an encoder is more than just disassembling, it's more important that the parameters are right, the interface is right, and the drive can recognize it. Confirm before you do it:
* The encoder model is the same as the original, or a compatible model that can be replaced.
* The interface is the same, the shape of the plug, pin, wire sequence match
* Voltage and signal specifications are the same
* The mounting method is correct: whether hollow shaft, solid shaft or flange fixed
* Whether the driver supports the communication protocol of the encoder.
* After installation can be zero direction
Many customers find that "the encoder rotates, but the machine doesn't recognize it”, most of them don't confirm these clearly.
How to Change Siemens Encoder?
In fact, the steps are not complicated, but must be careful:
1. First power off, to ensure that the machine is in a safe state of shutdown, do not work with electricity.
2. Remove the old encoder, be careful not to drag the bad wire, also do not fall screws into the motor
3. Check the interface and motor tail shaft, to see if there is no damage or foreign objects
4. Install the new encoder, the position of the right and then screw, do not force pressure
5. Re-insert the encoder cable, don't bend the cable, insert the connector to the end.
6. Parameters in the driver should be checked/modified, some drivers support auto-recognition, some need to be entered manually
7. Power on the test run, check whether there is an alarm, whether the axis has normal operation, whether the positioning is accurate.
Avoid Making These Common Mistakes
* Encoder selection of the wrong type (resolution, signal type is not the same)
* The driver does not support the encoder, installed can not be recognized
* Shield grounding is not done, resulting in signal jumping or interference alarms
* Encoder installed biased, mechanical zero point is not aligned
* Run after installation, forget to re-do the zero / calibration action
A lot of systems change the encoder can not run, not "motor bad”, but these small details are not done.
Why Do People Come to Songwei for Encoders?
We don't just sell encoders, we know how to use them so that they don't cause problems.
* Conventional Siemens / Heidenhain encoder models always in stock, fast delivery
* Recognize compatible models, we will tell you what we can replace.
* Test before shipment, to avoid customers get bad parts or incompatible models
* Troubleshooting service, we can help you to decide whether the encoder is the problem or not before replacing it.
* Encoder repair/refurbishment service, some old models can be saved.
* Can be shipped globally, and support foreign customers all year round.
You only need to tell us: motor model + alarm code + site conditions, we come to help you accessories, testing, program in one step.
Lastly
Replacing Siemens encoder is not a matter of "just find a similar-looking one”. It involves drive identification, signal matching, installation accuracy, and even software parameters. If you are not sure of the model, do not know how to change, do not be hard, the cost of damage to the wrong equipment is much more expensive than an encoder.
If you need to come to us anytime,
Songwei can help you do testing, repair or recommend alternative models. We understand the equipment, but also understand the worksite.
