Codewheel · glass · metal · PC
Code Wheel
A code wheel (or codewheel) is the patterned disc an optical rotary encoder reads to measure angle and speed — the same part as an encoder disc or code disc. Catalogs often say “code wheel” for small plastic or film discs, but ENC7 makes code wheels in all three substrates: chrome-on-glass, reflective stainless steel and PC.
Also searched as: codewheel · optical code wheel · encoder code wheel · encoder wheel · encoder disc
- Glass, reflective stainless steel and PC code wheels
- Incremental, absolute and sin/cos patterns
- Transmissive or reflective optical path
- Outer diameter, bore, line count and tracks to drawing
- 100% AOI on every code wheel
Specifications
| Parameter | Code Wheel |
|---|---|
| Substrates | Optical glass (chrome on glass) · stainless steel · polycarbonate (PC) |
| Optical path | Transmissive · reflective |
| Encoding | Incremental (A/B, Z) · absolute · sine/cosine |
| Dimensions, line count | To your drawing |
| Pattern process | Photolithography + etching |
| Contour machining | Laser OD cutting · laser bore machining |
| Inspection | 100% AOI machine vision; vision measuring machine; optical density / reflectance testing |
| Capacity | About 30,000 discs per day (all product lines combined) |
What we can customize
- Substrate and optical path
- Line count / bit count and track layout
- Outer diameter, bore and thickness
- Coatings matched to the readhead wavelength
- Centering reference ring and alignment marks
Ordering information
| Quotation | Engineer reviews your drawing for manufacturability, then quotes with sample and production lead times |
|---|---|
| Minimum order quantity (MOQ) | 100 pcs |
| Standard lead time | 5–7 days (confirmed in the quotation) |
| Certifications | ISO 9001 (since 2012) · ISO 14001 |
| Manufacturer | ENC7 — Langfang Jingzheng Optoelectronic Technology Co., Ltd., factory-direct since 2007 |
Typical applications
Code wheel types we make
| Code wheel | Optical path | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Chrome-on-glass | Transmissive | High line counts, absolute codes, thermal stability |
| Metal / stainless steel | Reflective | Thin encoders, shock and vibration, hollow shafts |
| PC (polycarbonate) | Transmissive | High volume, moderate resolution, low cost |
| Custom | Either | Special sizes, sin/cos, unusual coatings |
Send your drawing or sample details to sales@enc7.com or request a quote.
Glass vs. reflective metal vs. PC encoder discs
| 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 |
Full comparison: Reflective metal or glass encoder disc? How to choose
Quality control on every disc
- 100% AOI — automated optical inspection of graduation integrity, pitch and surface defects (scratches, spots, chips).
- Vision measuring machine — critical dimensions such as outer diameter, bore and pattern-to-bore concentricity are verified.
- Optical density testing — transparent and opaque areas are measured on transmissive discs.
- ISO 9001 quality management system, certified since 2012; ISO 14001 environmental management system.
- MOQ 100 pcs, standard lead time 5–7 days.
Frequently asked questions
Is a code wheel the same as an encoder disc?
Yes. Encoder disc, encoder disk, code disc, code wheel and codewheel all describe the same part. See encoder disc vs code wheel vs codewheel.
Which code wheel material should I choose?
Glass (chrome on glass) for the highest resolution and thermal stability, reflective metal for shock resistance and thin encoders, PC for low cost in high volumes. See PC code wheels and metal code wheels.
Can you copy an existing code wheel from a sample?
We produce to customer drawings or samples; an engineer reviews the drawing or sample for manufacturability before quoting.
What are the MOQ and lead time for code wheels?
MOQ is 100 pcs; standard lead time is 5–7 days, confirmed in the quotation.
Downloads
- Code Wheel datasheet (PDF) · available on request: sales@enc7.com
- RFQ checklist: 20 parameters to send with your drawing
Last updated 21 October 2026 · ENC7 Engineering Team