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Step 4 - Gluing the Sensors

[Next: Step 5 - Making the Encoder Disk >>]

Glue Strips to Sensors

For each of the seven sensors, glue one of the plastic strips onto the "E" part of the emitter/receiver, which should be placed close to the edge of the perf board. I used an epoxy cement, but a plastic cement would probably work better.

The edge of the plastic should touch the edge of the perf board, as shown in this picture. The sides of the plastic strip should run parallel to the sides of the sensor.

Wait for the sensors to dry before continuing.


Glue Sensors to Board

Pick a marked area on the board to work with.

Double-sided tape is your friend! This is a great material for prototyping, if you want to try your sensor placement before committing more permanently with glue.

Here, a strip of double-sided tape has been placed along the length of the marked area. Glue can also be used.

The sensor should be placed so that it is exactly inside the smallish rectangle in the marked area. The plastic strip should extend forward and overlap with the larger rectangle, as shown in this photo.

If the plastic strip is a little too long or too short, don't worry. The key thing is that the sensor is placed over the small rectangle as accurately as possible. The remainder of the plastic strip is simple for angular alignment.

Do this for each of the seven sensors.


[Next: Step 5 - Making the Encoder Disk >>]

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