Minneapolis, Minn., – June 30, 2006. SICK, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of sensors, safety systems and automatic identification products for industrial applications, today announced it has launched the DRS21, 26, 61 Programmable Incremental Encoders. The DRS series offers an ideal solution for collision avoidance, speed monitoring and product tracking in the packaging industry and other manufacturing environments.

This new series of programmable incremental encoders combines user-defined resolutions and simple setup with a programming tool via USB connection to a computer. These characteristics make the DRS21/26/61 Encoders ideal for inventory reduction and enable the user to create custom resolutions at the click of a button.

These encoders offer the ability to provide user-defined PPR (Pulses Per Revolution), which enhances existing customization and greatly reduces inventory stock. Access to the programming port is obtained through the same cap as the teachable marker (Z) pulse push button. The DRS21/26/61 Encoders can have resolutions from 1-8192 PPR. In addition, there are multiple mounting options for shaft and hollow shaft applications.

With their high degree of accuracy and repeatability, quick response time, IP 65/66 protection rating, and ease of programmability, the DRS21/26/61 Encoders are ideal for use even in the most complex positioning applications.