Service

Our readers support a wide range of RFID cards. They can read the MIFARE family (ISO 14443A) and also support ISO 14443B with the Calypso protocol. In addition, they support ISO 18092, which includes Sony FeliCa, NFC Forum standards, NFC Peer-to-Peer, and NFC active and passive modes.

Yes, we support MIFARE Classic, MIFARE DESFire, MIFARE Mini, MIFARE DESFire Light, and MIFARE Ultralight. The MIFARE standard is based on ISO 14443A.

Most of our readers are Calypso-compatible. Calypso is an internationally recognized standard based on ISO 14443B.

Contact-based readers are rated for at least 500,000 cycles, and often last longer in practice. For contactless RFID/NFC readers, service life is measured in hours: models 881, 883, and 890 are rated for 500,000 hours.

Typically –30 °C to +65 °C. Exact operating and storage temperature ranges are listed in each product’s technical specifications.

Yes. Our card readers are designed to be durable and repairable. To initiate a repair, please contact us at service [at] hopt-schuler.com (service[at]hopt-schuler[dot]com) 

We do not offer replacement devices, as our products are manufactured exclusively to order. Thanks to the 15-digit order code, our devices are highly customizable, which allows for an enormous variety of products. Stocking replacement devices would therefore not be practical. However, we can of course repair your devices professionally to ensure the longest possible service life.

For initial integration, we usually provide a software development kit (SDK). This includes the reader, connection cables, software specifications, and our in-house test tool.

It depends on the physical interface (TTL, RS232, USB, RS485, PoE, MDB, etc.). Supply voltage can be 3.3 V, 5 V, 12 V, or 24 V. Detailed values are listed in the datasheet.

Pin assignment depends on the specific reader model. Please contact us at sales [at] hopt-schuler.com (sales[at]hopt-schuler[dot]com) 

Our readers can read ISO 7811 magnetic stripe cards with up to three tracks.

In general, our readers support ISO 7816 smart cards, with emphasis on the security features defined in ISO/IEC 7816-8.

Our readers support a variety of protocols, including the MIFARE family (ISO 14443A), ISO 14443B with Calypso, and ISO 18092 (Sony FeliCa, NFC Forum, NFC Peer-to-Peer, NFC active and passive modes).

Depending on the model, our readers support RS232, RS485, USB, LAN, and PoE. WLAN and Bluetooth are also available. Not every model supports every interface—please check product specifications.

Yes. Magnetic reader lifetime can be improved by using specific material choices. For chip card readers, there are two designs:

• Sliding contacts: more resistant to dirt and corrosion.
• Landing contacts: lower wear and longer lifetime.

Yes, our card reader contacts are gold-coated, which protects against corrosion and ensures reliable performance.

Depending on market requirements, our readers support interfaces such as SPI, 8080, or MIPI DSI. Standard products can display static images and small animations, but video playback is not supported.

Yes, most of our readers support the use of external antennas. Details are available in the product datasheets.

Yes — our ticket dispensers are built for durability and easy servicing. For repairs, please fill out the repair form or contact us at service [at] hopt-schuler.com (service[at]hopt-schuler[dot]com)

We do not offer replacement devices, as our products are manufactured exclusively to order. Thanks to the 15-digit order code, our devices are highly customizable, which allows for an enormous variety of products. Stocking replacement devices would therefore not be practical. However, we can of course repair your devices professionally to ensure the longest possible service life.

• Operating range: +5°C to 50°C
• Storage range: -20°C to 70°C

Some models may differ. Check the product handouts on our website for specifics.

Our products are designed according to the following reference values:

• MTBF* > 20,000 hours
• MCBF* > 200,000 tickets
• MTTR* < 0.5 hours in workshop

However, the lifetime of wear parts, such as rollers, strongly depends on the operating conditions of the respective unit.

Our lifetime specifications are based on tests with clean tickets in a clean office environment.

Under more extreme climatic conditions (within the permitted temperature and humidity range), in dusty or dirty environments, or in cases where tickets themselves introduce contamination, the specified lifetime values may be significantly reduced. Increased wear may result in parts such as rollers needing to be replaced even within the warranty period.

Since wear parts are excluded from the warranty, their replacement is the responsibility of the user.

For the initial integration, we usually provide a Software Development Kit (SDK). This includes the dispenser, the corresponding connection cables, a software and hardware specification, as well as our in-house test software tool.

The supply voltage of our ticket systems is 24V. The power consumption varies depending on the model, ranging between 2.4A and 5A.

We support:

• Plastic tickets and paper cards
• ISO 7810 cards
• Fan-fold tickets (ISO 15457-1)
• Ticket rolls

Paper ticket thickness: 0.2–0.4 mm (custom adaptations available).

Our modular design allows flexible, fast modifications.

For our dispensers, spare parts lists are available that include a description of the maintenance activities as well as the lifetime of the individual components. However, since wear strongly depends on environmental influences, we cannot provide universally valid figures. The respective spare parts list nevertheless enables a quick and straightforward assessment of the expected maintenance costs.

Half-step detent means the encoder has a tactile click (detent) halfway between the electrical switching points.

Quarter-step detent means the tactile clicks occur at quarter intervals of the switching phase, allowing for finer feedback.

Full-step detent means the tactile click lines up exactly with the electrical switching positions.

Break-Before-Make (BBM) means one contact opens fully before the next one closes, which prevents short circuits.

A rotation cycle means turning the shaft 360° clockwise and then 360° counterclockwise.

An incremental encoder measures relative position changes by outputting pulses, which must be counted to determine position. After a restart or power failure, the position is lost. An absolute encoder assigns a unique code to each position, so the exact position is always known even after restart.

Which is better depends on the application. Optical systems can be affected by dust or aging and may become less effective over time. Hall-effect (magnetic) systems aren’t affected by this, but they are usually more expensive.

Service life is measured in either revolutions or cycles. One revolution = a full 360° clockwise turn. One cycle = 360° clockwise + 360° counterclockwise.

Operating temperature depends on the design: Rotary coding switch 528: –50 °C to +125 °C; 2-bit encoder 427: –40 °C to +85 °C; Display encoder 582: –20 °C to +70 °C.

Encoders offer several advantages over potentiometers:

• Wear-free (in optical or magnetic designs)
• Unlimited rotation without mechanical stops
• Higher accuracy and resolution
• Direct digital output (no need for analog-to-digital conversion)

Potentiometers can wear out and lose precision over time, making encoders more suitable for industrial and high-precision applications.

Haptic encoders provide clear tactile feedback, making precise control easier. They’re also reliable and durable, as they’re less sensitive to moisture or dust. They don’t require constant power and generally offer better positioning accuracy.

On the other hand, they can be bulkier, wear over time, and generate noise in some applications. Capacitive solutions are more compact and quieter but lack the same tactile feedback.

No – we calculate the costs based on the actual effort required. This ensures fair and transparent pricing that reflects the specific requirements and condition of your device. This way, you only pay for the services that are truly necessary.

In case of technical problems, we are happy to assist you. In general, you can reach us at the following phone number: +49 741 26 07-0. You will then be directed to the appropriate contact person for further assistance. You can also reach us via email at service [at] hopt-schuler.com (service[at]hopt-schuler[dot]com)

For our entire product range, you can find the mechanical specifications on our website. Simply search for the product you are interested in. On the respective product page, scroll down to the bottom, where you will find a PDF available for download.

By default, we ship via UPS or freight forwarder depending on product size. Other carriers such as GLS or FedEx can be used upon request.

Unfortunately, we cannot provide a general answer to this question for all our products. In the switch segment, certain products are subject to minimum order quantities, while in the reader and ticket segments no minimum order quantities apply.

In addition to direct sales, some products are available through DigiKey.

Yes, our terms of delivery are available here.

Mechanical and software development happens at our headquarters in Rottweil, Germany. Most products are also manufactured there, with additional production in Romania since 2020.

Our embedded products require explanation, and we understand how helpful it can be during the development process to have a physical sample available. We are therefore happy to provide samples for integration into your system. Simply contact us at sales [at] hopt-schuler.com (sales[at]hopt-schuler[dot]com) 

The headquarters of ddm hopt+schuler is located in Rottweil, Baden-Württemberg, in the southwest of Germany. In addition, we have sales offices in Italy, France, Spain, and the USA. Furthermore, we cooperate with sales representatives worldwide to make our products available to you.

Since we combine hardware development, software development, and production at our main site, our strength lies in customizing products to our customers’ requirements. For this reason, we do not provide publicly accessible 3D data on our website. However, we are happy to provide 3D data upon request. Simply contact us at sales [at] hopt-schuler.com (sales[at]hopt-schuler[dot]com) 

We provide 3D data in STEP format (ISO 10303).

Information on MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) and/or MCBF (Mean Cycles Between Failures) can be found in our product handouts. Simply download the PDF available on the respective product page.

At the end of our product handouts, you will always find the order key for the respective product. The first three digits indicate the product, while the remaining digits specify the exact configuration of the product, such as the interfaces used.

If you encounter any difficulties or uncertainties, you can always contact us through the usual communication channels (+49 741 02607-0 or sales [at] hopt-schuler.com (sales[at]hopt-schuler[dot]com))

Yes, thanks to our expertise in software development, hardware development, and product manufacturing, we are ideally positioned to develop customer-specific solutions. This applies both to the customization of our existing product portfolio as well as the development of entirely new products that are not directly related to our product areas of readers, switches, or tickets. We would be happy to discuss your individual requirements with you.

You can order wear and spare parts directly from our website. Simply fill out a contact form or contact sales [at] hopt-schuler.com (sales[at]hopt-schuler[dot]com) directly.

Yes, we provide APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) to best prepare our devices for integration. In addition, we offer our in-house device portal, which further simplifies the integration process.

Yes — we provide APIs and an in-house device portal to simplify integration.

To optimally support the integration of our products, we provide a test application. With this tool, you can test the basic functions of our products and receive effective support when developing your own software.

The latest test software and corresponding software specification are included with your SDK (Software Development Kit).

A comprehensive user manual is included, providing step-by-step instructions for commissioning and operating the software.

For most of our products, we already provide a wide selection of source code to make software integration as easy as possible.

Our products can be used with Windows, Linux, and in some cases Android. For detailed information, please refer to the specification of your product.

Yes – depending on the product, different drivers are available for our test applications. These are provided together with our SDK (Software Development Kit).

Yes — every product includes a detailed manual explaining connection, test software usage, and required software commands.

Yes, our specifications include descriptions of the physical interfaces as well as the software interfaces and protocols used by our products.

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is a technology that uses electromagnetic waves to transfer data wirelessly between a reader and a transponder. Common applications include access control, logistics, and goods tracking.

A transponder is an electronic component that responds to a received signal by sending back its own information. In RFID systems, it contains stored data that can be read by a reader.

Active transponders have their own power source, such as a battery, which allows them to achieve greater ranges and stronger signals. They are often used in applications where a larger distance to the reader is required

Passive transponders draw their energy from the electromagnetic field of the reader and do not require their own battery. They have a shorter range but are more cost-effective and compact.

Range describes the maximum distance within which an RFID tag can be detected by a reader. It depends on factors such as the power of the reader, the type of tag, and the environment. Our RFID readers can be used at distances of up to 10 centimeters. The range can be adjusted by the user.

The frequency range defines the electromagnetic frequency at which an RFID system operates (e.g., Low Frequency, High Frequency, or Ultra High Frequency). Different frequencies affect range, reading speed, and application areas. A distinction is made between:

• Low Frequency (LF, 125–134 kHz): Long wave, short to medium range (e.g., animal identification)
• High Frequency (HF, 13.56 MHz): Short wave, short to medium range (e.g., access control)
• Ultra High Frequency (UHF, 860–960 MHz): Decimeter wave, long range (e.g., warehouse/logistics, such as pallets)

A tag is an RFID transponder that stores a unique identifier or data for identification purposes. Tags can be either active (with their own power source) or passive (without a power source) and vary in size and shape.

ISO is an international organization that develops standards for technologies, processes, and products. In RFID and contactless systems, ISO standards regulate interoperability and security between devices. Relevant standards in this context include ISO 14443 A, ISO 14443 B, ISO 18092, and ISO 15693.

MIFARE is one of the most widely used contactless smart card technologies, developed by NXP, and is commonly applied in access control systems, public transportation, and payment solutions. It is based on an RFID standard in the high-frequency range (13.56 MHz).

There are different protocols within the MIFARE family, such as MIFARE Classic, MIFARE DESFire, MIFARE DESFire Light, MIFARE Ultralight, and MIFARE Mini — all of which we support.

NFC (Near Field Communication) is an RFID-based technology operating at 13.56 MHz that enables short-distance data exchange. Common uses include contactless payments and device pairing, based on ISO 14443 and ISO 15693 standards.

A SAM (Secure Access Module) is a security module that performs cryptographic functions, often used in contactless payment or secure RFID systems.

An interface is the point where systems or devices exchange data. This can be:

• Physical interfaces: e.g., USB connection
• Software interfaces: enable communication between programs

Contactless interfaces enable communication between devices without physical contact, for example via RFID, NFC, Bluetooth, or WLAN. They are often used in payment systems, access control, logistics, or wireless data transfer.

Bluetooth enables wireless connections over short distances, ideal for devices such as smartphones, speakers, or headphones.

WLAN provides a greater range and is commonly used to connect devices to networks, for example for internet access or data exchange in offices and households.

EMV is a global standard for secure payment transactions, originally developed by Europay, Mastercard, and Visa. It ensures interoperability and security for both card-based and contactless payments.

PCI refers to security standards developed by major credit card companies to protect payment data. PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) sets requirements for encryption, access control, and network security.