Encoder for linear travel control

[Codepuncher]

Hi everyone
my cnc setup consists of feeding 0.1mm thick strips of stainless steel into a weld stage where 2 x 2mm dia balls are attached, The strip is then advanced to a laser head which cuts out the part profile.
I am currently feeding the strip with two rubberized rollers driven by a nema 23 stepper.
Occasionally the electrodes of the welder stick to the strip and this causes a pitch error between the parts.

I am looking to add an optical encoder wheel that is driven by the strip movement and sends feedback to the program to stop the stepper when the required pitch (12mm) is achieved. Is this possible with either UCCNC or MAch3 ?

The encoder I have is
https://www.usdigital.com/products/encoders/incremental/kit/E2

Many thanks for any help

[Codepuncher]

I think I have figured out a solution using a closed looped stepper.
I reckon I could remove the encoder off of the motor and make a spindle that will engage the strip metal and effectively drive the motor position based on the encoder position of that spindle. I will be using incremental moves to feed the strip, 12mm is nominal but it won`t matter if it moves 12.2 as long as the move is always the exactly same.
I have bought the system shown below. I have never rigged up a close looped system, please offer any advice. Thanks.

[1JUMPER10]

A little late to the party here but you could do this easily with a Clearpath Servo. They can be programmed to do set moves based on inputs and close the feedback loop internally.