[mactec54]

With all this being said can someone tell me if the way I plan on setting this up genuinely wont work.

The encoder is driven by the motor at the same rate as the spindle. (see the photo)

Should work fine as long as your wiring and Encoder is setup in the software is correct, you will be good to go

[WayneHill]

I use AMT102 encoders instead of US Digital.

https://www.digikey.com/product-deta...1307-ND/827015

The PPR can be set on the chip. They have been trouble free since installing them over 10 years ago.

[__Britt]

I've heard that there is a little bit of delay in those AMT102 encoders... supposedly it works OK for spindle because that just results in a little bit of rotational skew of where the thread ends up; but supposedly it can cause some issues when you try to use it as the shaft encoder on a servo motor???

[WayneHill]

The AMT102 are used on the shaft of a DC motor. I do not see any delays. It runs five start acme threads reduced down 1:2 at the motor. Anti-backlash nuts. It's fast.

[__Britt]

Hmm... well, I've actually got one here - I picked it up for testing - I guess I could rig up a stepper to it as well as a conventional optical encoder that I have here also; and see what it's actual delay is between firing the step pulse and the encoder registering it & outputting it... hmmm...

[WayneHill]

Sounds like an interesting project. Be sure to secure the cogs on the AMT102. There is a hint of backlash between the plastic cogs that could give false readings.