Seiko NPC Corporation moved into mass production stage for the SMD-01: High-precision optical encoder using the diffraction image projection method.

In recent years, many of mounting machines and actuators required "Small and High Precision" due to miniaturization of both mechanical and electrical parts, thus they need high precision positioning system in small spaces.

The SMD-01 is the world’s smallest encoder head IC in its class, incorporating a LED light source and a light receiver sensor IC in a single surface-mounted-device package. It employs an optical sensor array that greatly reduces signal degradation problems due to variations in mounting position. It delivers high-accuracy position detection even when mounted using reflow methods. It is ideal for various applications that require the following characteristics.