Encoder disc manufacturer · Since 2007
Precision encoder discs & code wheels, made in our own photolithography factory
ENC7 supplies glass, reflective metal and PC encoder discs — incremental, absolute and sine/cosine — to encoder, servo motor and robot makers. Built to your drawing, inspected disc by disc.
- 2007Founded
- ~30,000Discs per day
- 100%AOI inspection
- ISO 9001Certified since 2012
Products
Encoder disc product range
Transmissive · Chrome on glassGlass Encoder Disc
Chrome-on-glass, photolithographic graduations. The first choice for high resolution and thermal stability.
Specifications →
Reflective · Stainless steelReflective Metal Encoder Disc
Stainless steel, high/low-reflectance pattern. Thin, robust encoders for robot joints and slim servo motors.
Specifications →
Transmissive · PolycarbonatePC Encoder Disc
Polycarbonate, transmissive. Lightweight, tough and the lowest cost for high-volume encoders.
Specifications →
Built to drawingCustom Encoder Disc
Your drawing, your tracks, your substrate. Incremental, absolute and sin/cos patterns made to order.
Specifications →What is an encoder disc?
The part that decides your encoder's resolution and accuracy
An encoder disc — also called an encoder disk, code disc, code wheel or codewheel — is the rotating element of an optical rotary encoder. It carries a precise radial pattern of transparent and opaque (or high- and low-reflectance) areas. A readhead's light source and photodetector read that pattern and convert rotation into position and speed signals.
Line count sets the base resolution; line edge quality, pitch uniformity, optical contrast and pattern-to-bore concentricity set how accurately the encoder can measure angle. That is why we make every disc by photolithography and check every disc with machine vision.
| Criterion | Glass (chrome on glass) | Reflective metal | PC (polycarbonate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical optical path | Transmissive | Reflective (source and detector on the same side) | Transmissive |
| High line counts / absolute multi-track | Easiest | Possible, limited by etching and coating | Moderate resolution |
| Thermal expansion (approx.) | Low — about 3.3 (borosilicate) to 9 (soda-lime) ×10⁻⁶/K | Higher — stainless steel about 16–17 ×10⁻⁶/K | Highest — about 65–70 ×10⁻⁶/K |
| Shock and vibration | Sensitive to drops and impact | Very good — does not shatter | Good — tough, not brittle |
| Encoder height | Needs space on both sides | Can be very thin | Needs space on both sides |
| Relative cost | Higher | Lower than glass | Lowest |
| Best for | CNC, rotary tables, metrology, high-resolution servo | Robot joints, slim servo motors, hollow-shaft encoders | High-volume, cost- and weight-sensitive encoders |
Manufacturing
Full in-house process, from substrate to inspection
- 01
Lapping & polishing
Substrate flatness and surface quality.
- 02
Optical coating
Cr, reflective or anti-reflective stacks to suit your optical path.
- 03
Photolithography
Resist coating, exposure, development and etching for sharp, uniform lines.
- 04
Laser cutting
Laser OD cutting and bore machining with controlled edge chipping.
- 05
100% AOI
Machine vision checks graduations and surface defects on every disc.
Applications
Where our code wheels work
Servo & stepper motors
Glass for high-resolution servo feedback, reflective metal for slim motors, PC for cost-driven steppers.
Robot joints
Thin reflective metal and absolute discs for collaborative and industrial robot joints.
CNC machine tools
Chrome-on-glass discs for spindle, rotary table and position feedback on CNC machines.
Metrology & surveying
High-accuracy glass discs for optical instruments, measuring equipment and surveying.
Automation & motion control
Position and speed feedback for production lines, conveyors and motion systems.
Office & consumer equipment
Low-cost PC code wheels for printers, office machines and consumer devices.
Why ENC7
A focused disc maker, not a trading company
- Specialists since 2007. Encoder discs are our core business, operated by Langfang Jingzheng Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd..
- Three substrates under one roof. Glass, stainless steel and polycarbonate — pick the right material, not the only one a supplier has.
- Volume capacity. About 30,000 discs per day across all product lines.
- Own IP in reflective discs. Patent CN217210914U covers our layered reflective/absorbing film structure.
- Engineers who read drawings. Manufacturability review before quotation; samples before volume.
Engineering guides
Learn before you specify
- Encoder Disc vs Code Wheel vs Codewheel: What They Are and How They Work
- How Chrome-on-Glass Encoder Discs Are Made: From Substrate to AOI Inspection
- Encoder Disc Glossary: 30 Key Terms Explained
- Reflective Metal or Glass Encoder Disc? How to Choose
- Reflective Encoder Disc Contrast: Why Low Reflectance Matters More
- Encoder Disc Eccentricity: How Much Error Does 5 µm Cause?