High Precision Stainless Steel Etched Encoder Disk for Rotary Encoder Sensor

1. Product Introduction
Etched Encoder Disk is a core precision optoelectronic component specially developed for rotary encoders, speed sensors and position detection systems. Manufactured by advanced stress-free photochemical etching technology, our etched encoder disk abandons the defects of traditional stamping, laser cutting and mechanical processing, featuring ultra-uniform grating slots, smooth edge finish and zero burrs.
This precision encoder disk achieves micron-level dimensional accuracy and consistent slot pitch, ensuring stable optical signal transmission and high-resolution pulse output. It effectively avoids signal jitter, pulse loss and detection deviation caused by uneven grating and rough edges, greatly improving the detection accuracy, response speed and operational stability of rotary encoder equipment. Different from traditional processing parts, photochemical etched encoder disks have no mechanical stress deformation, maintaining long-term flatness and structural stability during high-speed rotation.
We adopt high-quality SUS304, SUS316L stainless steel and phosphor bronze materials for production, featuring excellent oxidation resistance, corrosion resistance and fatigue resistance. Widely applicable to industrial automation encoders, servo motor encoders, medical equipment sensors, intelligent instrument position detection and high-precision motion control systems, our etched encoder disks support full OEM/ODM customization and comply with global industrial precision component standards.
2. Product Specification Table

3. Etching Process Flow
Step 1. High-Purity Substrate Selection & Cleaning
Select high-flatness stainless steel and phosphor bronze substrates, remove surface oil stains, oxide layers and impurities through multi-stage precision cleaning to ensure a flawless base for ultra-precision grating etching.
Step 2. Double-Sided Photoresist Lamination & Curing
Uniformly coat high-sensitivity ultra-thin photosensitive resist on both sides of the metal sheet, and perform constant-temperature low-speed curing to form a dense and uniform protective film, avoiding grating pattern deviation and edge defects.
Step 3. High-Precision UV Pattern Exposure
Adopt imported micron-level exposure equipment to transfer customized encoder grating patterns, realizing accurate positioning of inner holes, outer circles and grating slots to ensure consistent pitch of each grating.
Step 4. Precision Developing & Pattern Molding
Remove unexposed photoresist evenly to expose the target etching area, forming neat, smooth and vertical grating slot outlines without burrs, gaps or serrations.
Step 5. Intelligent Constant-Pressure Etching
Precisely control etching solution concentration, temperature and spray pressure through automated system, achieve synchronous and uniform etching on both sides, ensuring consistent depth and verticality of all grating slots of the etched encoder disk.
Step 6. Surface Passivation & Anti-Oxidation Treatment
Completely strip residual photoresist, followed by precision polishing and anti-corrosion passivation treatment to enhance surface hardness and oxidation resistance, adapting to long-term high-speed rotation working conditions.
Step 7. Ultrasonic Cleaning & Full Precision Inspection
Multi-frequency ultrasonic deep cleaning removes chemical residues. Each encoder disk undergoes full inspection of flatness, grating pitch, dimensional tolerance and surface finish before delivery.
4. Packaging Method
As ultra-precision industrial components, our etched encoder disk adopts professional anti-deformation, anti-scratch and dust-free export packaging to avoid precision damage during international long-distance transportation:
• Inner packaging: Independent dust-free anti-static bag + soft plastic tray for single encoder disk, effectively preventing surface scratches and grating damage
• Buffer protection: Custom shockproof EVA foam interval isolation for batch products, completely avoiding extrusion deformation and dislocation
• Outer packaging: Reinforced thickened waterproof and pressure-resistant carton, suitable for sea freight, air freight and international LCL transportation
• Custom service: Support exclusive brand labeling, batch number marking and customized dust-free packaging for high-end industrial clients
5. Our Services
• Full Precision Customization: Customize encoder disk outer diameter, inner hole size, grating resolution, slot shape and thickness according to customer drawings and encoder parameters
• Fast Prototype Sampling: Support small-batch rapid proofing for new product R&D and equipment testing, shorten customer project cycle
• Stable Mass Production: Automated precision etching production lines ensure zero difference batch consistency of etched encoder disk
• Professional Technical Optimization: Provide grating structure optimization solutions to improve encoder signal stability and detection accuracy
• Global One-Stop Export Service: Support small trial orders and large bulk orders, provide complete export certification documents
• 24/7 Global After-Sales Support: Professional industrial component technical team responds quickly to customer consultation and after-sales problems


6. FAQ
Q1: What is the advantage of etched encoder disk over laser cut encoder disk?
A1: Laser cut encoder disk has thermal deformation, rough grating edges and burrs, which easily cause optical signal jitter and pulse loss. Our etched encoder disk adopts stress-free photochemical etching process, with vertical and smooth grating walls, zero thermal deformation and ultra-uniform pitch. It ensures stable optical signal induction, effectively improving encoder detection precision and reducing failure rate, which is the best choice for high-precision motion control equipment.
Q2: Which material is suitable for industrial encoder disk?
A2: SUS304 stainless steel is cost-effective with good rigidity and anti-oxidation performance, suitable for conventional indoor industrial encoders. SUS316L has stronger corrosion and moisture resistance for humid and corrosive working environments. Phosphor bronze features better ductility and conductivity, ideal for high-frequency high-precision encoder equipment.
Q3: Can you customize high-resolution ultra-fine grating encoder disk?
A3: Yes. We support full customization of 100PPR-5000PPR high-resolution grating etched encoder disk, ultra-fine narrow slot and special-shaped grating structures, meeting the R&D and production needs of high-end precision encoders.
Q4: What is your production lead time?
A4: Custom sample order: 4-6 working days; Mass production order: 8-15 working days. Expedited production service is available for urgent industrial projects.
Q5: Will the etched encoder disk deform during high-speed rotation?
A5: Our products adopt stress-free etching process without internal mechanical stress. After professional flatness calibration and passivation treatment, the encoder disk maintains excellent structural stability and flatness under long-term high-speed rotation, no deformation or vibration, ensuring long-term stable operation of encoders.

For over 13 years Xinhaisen has pioneered developments in photochemical etching, achieving standards admired by the industry and appreciated by a global customer base from a wide range of high-tech engineering markets.

Since found in 2012, in affiliating with our customers we have pioneered many new production techniques and methodologies in order to better serve their needs. It is these techniques that have advanced our capabilities further, enabling us to take what was once considered art and turn it into a science.

Now, we became China's leading photochemical etching specialist, with also the capacity of offering stamping and laser-cutting service. Our products include etching bipolar plates for fuel cell, speaker grills,  micro meshes&filters, tea&coffee infusers, shims&gaskets, Optical encoderdisk&strip, EMI/RFI shielding, Leadframes, connectors&contacts, printingstencils&foils and metal crafts.

Quality and service is our mission, Xinhaisen is committed to pursuing the highest standards of environmental performance. Responsibility for sustainability resides with all employees. The company has achieved ISO 14001 and IS0 9001 and IATF 16949 and is committed to maintaining that standard. With a fast response, high quality, best service and fair price, we have gained high reputation from our customers all over the world.