Surviving the Toughest Conditions: Encoders Built for Harsh Environments

In the fast-moving world of material handling, uptime is everything. But when your equipment faces daily exposure to moisture, chemicals, vibration, washdowns, and extreme temperatures, traditional encoders often don’t make the cut. That’s where Encoder Products Company (EPC) steps in—with motion feedback solutions engineered specifically for harsh industrial environments.

“Just sealing an encoder in a box isn’t enough,” says Sarah Walter, Applications Engineer at EPC. “For facilities like food and beverage plants, chemical processing lines, and outdoor ag robotics, the solution has to be purpose-built for the environment.”

Take EPC’s A58SBS IP69K-rated absolute encoder, for example. With a stainless steel housing, this encoder is built to withstand high-pressure, high-temperature washdowns. It offers either EtherNet/IP or PROFINET communication, delivering absolute position feedback even after power loss—essential in packaging, bottling, and batching systems where accuracy and repeatability are non-negotiable.

In addition to product innovation, EPC helps engineers think beyond just the encoder. Their top survival tips include isolating encoders using flexible shafts, matching housing and connectors to the same IP rating, and using magnetic sensing technology in high-vibration zones. They also emphasize smart cable layout to avoid torsional stress and liquid migration, two major causes of encoder failure.

For conveyor systems, robotics, and mobile equipment, EPC’s line of rugged, compact encoders, like the TR1 Tru-Trac^®, delivers reliable performance even in challenging applications.

“Our goal is simple,” says Walters. “Protect your encoder, and you protect your uptime.”

Whether you're designing a new system or upgrading legacy equipment for washdown or extreme conditions, EPC's application engineers are ready to help with custom solutions and expert guidance.