Wheel Encoder Generator

Announcing the latest version of my Wheel Encoder Generator for MacOS, Linux, and Windows, updated for 2021.

Screenshot, binary encoder disc

Wheel Encoder Generator is application you use to print your own robot encoder discs, just like I did for my AVC-winning autonomous rover, Data Bus. I rewrote the application from the ground up in 2021 using JavaFX.

Download

GitHub Source Repository

Flexibility. The application will create incremental encoder discs (below) of any diameter with or without quadrature and index tracks; it'll also make absolute encoder discs (above) of any size using either binary or gray code.

Speed. It instantly displays a preview of your encoder disc as you make changes. The interface is streamlined to put all the configuration a few clicks and keystrokes away. Toolbar buttons and accelerator keys speed operation.

Convenience. The window and preview image are resizable so you can get a giant preview image if you want. The interface is simple and (I hope) intuitive.

Save Your Work. You can save, load and print encoder patterns. You can export them as images.

High Resolution. Encoder resolution is theoretically limited only by the dpi resolution of your printer but the code enforces some (arbitrary) limits: 4096-positions, 12 tracks, 0.088° resolution for absolute encoders and incremental encoders with 0.1° resolution.

Cross Platform. The app runs on Windows, MacOS, and Linux.