Position sensing has become a critical challenge in robot design. Manufacturers must balance positioning accuracy, compactness and reliability within increasingly constrained system architectures. To address these evolving requirements, Hutchinson is developing magnetic solutions capable of pushing the limits of angular measurement.
The quality of the magnetic target plays a decisive role in the final accuracy, repeatability and robustness of a sensing solution. With this in mind, Hutchinson developed its dual-track Nonius magnetic ring technology. By combining one magnetic target dedicated to position measurement and a second one used for speed measurement, this technology delivers absolute angular accuracy of up to ±0.02°, compared with approximately ±0.1° for conventional magnetic targets. Available in radial and axial versions, with thicknesses down to 1.1 mm, and benefiting from 100% automated magnetization inspection, Nonius rings meet the precision and compactness requirements of next-generation actuators.
This innovation was recently highlighted at Electronica China 2026, where German encoder specialist iC-Haus showcased its new iC-MUE absolute magnetic encoder solution alongside Hutchinson's Nonius rings. The trade show reflected a long-standing partnership aimed at offering customers the best measurement performance from the magnetic target to the sensor IC. Today, Nonius rings remain a key component in high-performance encoder architectures used across robotics, industrial automation, medical equipment and precision motion-control applications.
Hutchinson therefore offers systems based on two complementary Nonius magnetic rings. The first provides absolute angular position measurement, while the second measures the rotational speed required for motor control. This combination makes it possible to integrate advanced measurement functions into a compact form factor while ensuring excellent repeatability and reliability. Beyond performance, this technology also helps simplify industrialization. Automated magnetization inspection, optimized manufacturing processes, and compatibility with existing electronic architectures facilitate integration, reduce calibration requirements, and minimize assembly defect rates. This approach improves accuracy without adding system complexity, directly addressing the needs of robot and intelligent actuator manufacturers.
In next-generation robotic applications, accuracy no longer depends solely on the encoder itself. The combined optimization of electronics, algorithms and magnetic targets is becoming a key differentiating factor. By combining its Nonius rings with iC-Haus solutions, Hutchinson provides a practical answer to growing demands for precision, compactness and ease of integration.
