From Optical Lenses To Precision Encoders – A Manufacturer's Evolution

Shanghai Hengxiang Optical Electronics Co., Ltd. was founded in 2001, but its story began earlier. In 1985, an optical instrument factory started with a focus on precision lens manufacturing. Seventeen years of technical accumulation laid the foundation for the transition to come.

In 2002, Hengxiang partnered with the Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics to overcome key challenges in infrared optics and encoder technology. That year, the S25 series encoder was launched, and the company obtained ISO9001 and CE certifications – marking its shift from optical components to optoelectronic sensing.

From 2008 onward, R&D accelerated. The company secured multiple patents and introduced nearly one hundred new products within six years. In 2022, Hengxiang was recognized as a Shanghai High-Tech Enterprise; in 2024, it received AAAA-level credit certification.

Today, Hengxiang's product portfolio covers incremental encoders, absolute encoders, sine-cosine encoders, and modular designs, with over 100 specifications across more than ten series.

The Logic Behind the Transition

Encoders rely on light – converting mechanical rotation into electrical signals through optoelectronic sensing. Optical lenses are the foundation of controlling light. Hengxiang's heritage in precision optical cold-working and optical material properties gave it a natural advantage when moving into encoder manufacturing. The code disc – the core of any encoder – is itself a precision optical component.

Product Portfolio Overview

Hengxiang offers encoders ranging from miniature to large, incremental to absolute, and standard to extreme-duty designs.

For space-constrained applications, miniature series like the S18-J and K22 deliver high resolution in ultra-compact packages. For precision motion control, absolute encoders such as the ZM35 series provide power-off memory and high accuracy. For heavy-duty industrial applications, larger models support through-hole designs and high torque transmission. Servo-specific models and linear encoders round out the product range.

Balancing Precision and Reliability

The accuracy of an encoder depends on two things: the manufacturing precision of the code disc and the stability of the optoelectronic system. Hengxiang's long experience with optical lenses and grating code discs gives it complete control from materials to fabrication. Non-contact photoelectric reflection principles eliminate mechanical wear, ensuring longer service life and stable signal output.

Applications Across Industries

Hengxiang encoders are used in elevator traction systems, CNC machine tools, robotics, textile machinery, packaging equipment, motors, and general industrial automation. The company also provides OEM and ODM customization, allowing customers to tailor shaft diameter, resolution, output interface, and protection ratings to specific needs.

Looking Ahead

From an optical instrument factory in 1985 to a global encoder manufacturer today – the journey spans four decades. Technology has evolved, applications have multiplied, and customer demands have changed. But one thing remains constant: the pursuit of precision in motion control. And Hengxiang makes that precision more reliable and more accessible.