is there such a thing?

[James Lehman]

is there such a thing as a slide or rotary switch that mechanically encodes
binary contacts for 6 or 8 bits?

Thanks!

James. )

 

[William P.N. Smith]

"James Lehman" <james[remove]@akrobiz.com> wrote:

is there such a thing as a slide or rotary switch that mechanically encodes
binary contacts for 6 or 8 bits?

Well, it wouldn't have detents, but you could use a rotary encoder
wheel and a micro...

I've only seen 4-bit (16 position) binary switches, but that doesn't
mean they couldn't exist. 64 or 256 detents might be hard to make
mechanically, though...

 

[Spehro Pefhany]

On Tue, 01 Nov 2005 22:22:03 -0500, the renowned William P.N. Smith
<news05@compusmiths.com> wrote:

@akrobiz.com> wrote:
is there such a thing as a slide or rotary switch that mechanically encodes
binary contacts for 6 or 8 bits?

Well, it wouldn't have detents, but you could use a rotary encoder
wheel and a micro...

I've only seen 4-bit (16 position) binary switches, but that doesn't
mean they couldn't exist. 64 or 256 detents might be hard to make
mechanically, though...

From memory, Burns makes (or made) a 7-bit mechanical absolute encoder
(128 positions). It used some kind of modified Gray code that could be
realized with a circuit board, IIRC. I have a sample of it somewhere.

There are optical absolute encoders with at least 10-bit resolution,
but you might not like the price.

Of course, incremental optical or mechanical encoders are inexpensive
and easily available.


Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany
--
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