Automatic encoder resolution calibration and length measurement system and method

A method comprising:

• generating an encoder signal indicative of linear movement of a moving workpiece traveling along a path;
• generating a first position signal representative of an identifying characteristic of the workpiece reaching a first position along the path traveled by the moving workpiece;
• generating a second position signal representative of the identifying characteristic reaching a second position along the path traveled by the moving workpiece, said second position being a known distance from the first position;
• and
• determining encoder resolution as a function of the encoder signal, the first position signal, the second position signal, and the known distance between the first and second positions.

A system comprising:

• means for generating an encoder signal indicative of linear movement of a moving workpiece traveling along a path;
• sensing means for sensing an identifying characteristic of the moving workpiece;
• means for determining a first encoder count in response to the sensing of the identifying characteristic by the sensing means at a first location along the path;
• means for determining a second encoder count in response to the sensing of the identifying characteristic by the sensing means at a second location along the path;
• and
• means for determining encoder resolution as a function of the first encoder count, the second encoder count, and a known distance between the first and second sensing locations.