Why does this rotary encoder have both PCB pins and mounting screw?

I am expanding my phi-panel keypad options and purchased a bunch of rotary encoders. They look like this:

My question is: since it has pcb pins on the bottom, why does it also have screw too? I can't think of a clear advantage of using them both? Will that be a small PCB the encoder is soldered to and then the encoder is mounted behind a panel with the screw. Then the wires from the small PCB can go to a main PCB?

My question is: since it has pcb pins on the bottom, why does it also have screw too? I can't think of a clear advantage of using them both? Will that be a small PCB the encoder is soldered to and then the encoder is mounted behind a panel with the screw nut. Then the wires from the small PCB can go to a main PCB?

Yes, just allows the designer more choices for where to mount the encoder Vs where the main logic board is placed.

Lefty

Lefty,

Thanks for the quick answer. I think I might just pursue that route. My drilling skill with a dremel is pretty basic without a Dremel drill press stand. So if I drill a hole on the top cover of a project box, then do the panel mounting with a small PCB, I could then wire wrap the small PCB to my main logic board. Easy enough. If I did 3 buttons layout (up/down/enter) instead, I bet I'll mess up the last hole LOL

liudr:
Lefty,

Thanks for the quick answer. I think I might just pursue that route. My drilling skill with a dremel is pretty basic without a Dremel drill press stand. So if I drill a hole on the top cover of a project box, then do the panel mounting with a small PCB, I could then wire wrap the small PCB to my main logic board. Easy enough. If I did 3 buttons layout (up/down/enter) instead, I bet I'll mess up the last hole LOL

Heck if working with plastic project boxes I just plunge my hot soldering iron into it to make a small hole and then use a small hand reamer tool to make the hole the required size. If it's a metal case I of course first drill a small hole and then use the reamer tool. My projects lean towards the functional side rather then the nice cosmetic side. :smiley:

One of my favourite hand tools:


Lefty

Thanks Lefty! I'll get myself one of those. The dremel is a really dangerous piece of rotary tool. I might have to get a drill press stand for it. Drill small holes with it and open them up with a reamer.

Don't forget the hole for the little metal tab on the front. That's to stop it from turning when the user twists the knob.

fungus:
Don't forget the hole for the little metal tab on the front. That's to stop it from turning when the user twists the knob.

That's right. I forgot to mention that. So easy to just draw it on a computer for laser cutting. I'll have to tape a 1:1 printout of the layout before I drill :slight_smile:

liudr:
I might have to get a drill press stand for it.

I got one of those last Xmas* ... the problem is you can't really get any decent size drill bits for it. The biggest bit I could find that fits in a Dremel chuck was 6mm. I might have to get one of those reamers...

  • My girlfriend bought it for me, this year she's getting a bandsaw in return (but don't tell her!)

fungus:

liudr:
I might have to get a drill press stand for it.

I got one of those last Xmas* ... the problem is you can't really get any decent size drill bits for it. The biggest bit I could find that fits in a Dremel chuck was 6mm. I might have to get one of those reamers...

  1. My girlfriend bought it for me, this year she's getting a bandsaw in return (but don't tell her!)

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Are you using the keyless chuck for Dremel? I didn't test but the keyless chuck can adapt to some slightly largish drill bits. Maybe 6mm is its maximum. I'll get a reamer too. Glad to know both you and your girlfriend like machine tools. :slight_smile: