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| Digital Readout Question |
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| Bogstandard:
Jonny, I have two Z axis on my mill. I class the knee as Z1 and is a glass scale, and the quill, Z2, which is a digivern type scale. I only ever use the quill for drilling to depth, never to put a cut on, as the more you extend the quill, the less rigid it becomes. I know it might be nitpicking, but every little bit helps in the search for good surface finishes, and lack of rigidity is one of the main causes of machining marks. Quill scale. Ignore the missing battery cover, this shot was taken to show the capacitor across the battery terminal which should be done if powering the scale externally, as you are liable to get readout fluctuations if you don't. Knee scale Display, showing readouts from both. Bogs |
| Brass_Machine:
While there is no replacement for quality scales, the el cheapo digital scale version is decent enough to get by on. I have an X2 as well. I can't see pay more for my DRO than my mill. When the day comes and I get a larger mill, then yes, a decent glass scale DRO will go on it. But for now, my digital scales does the job. I have had this setup for several years. I have never had a problem with them either. The big thing to remember, they are what they are. Keep them clean and well protected and you won't have many (if any) problems. Would I put them on Bog's knee mill? Nope. X2? Sure. 3 axes for under $100?? why not. Eric |
| picclock:
I've got three dro readouts on my mill. So far so good. I mounted them in such a way that the readouts can be seen without a remote box. Its not brilliant as some bits can obscure the readings but for hobby work a good and low cost solution. As I was fitting them I noticed that some of the flexible rubber guards which sit at the ends of the read head were missing. These prevent cr*p from geting between the read head and the ruler. I fitted these with cut pieces of old heat shrink tubeing which seems to work well, scraping the smallest pieces of swarf from the rule. http://s917.photobucket.com/albums/ad19/picclock/DRO%20calipers/ (I did post about this before but I think was lost in the site outage) If you are going to use these with a remote readout I would think it essential to seal the cable connection with hot melt or similar, silicon rubbers contain acids so probably best to avoid them. Battery life on mine has been OK, but I notice that as it gets colder they seem to need replacing more often. In the summer I did not replace any but I've noticed that even with my handheld ones they flash if its been very cold. It may be that the battery voltage drops with temperature, or the voltage sensor in the scales is temperature sensitive. Having said that I wouldn't be without them. You can make everything more accurately and much more quickly with instant unit conversion and backlash accounted for. Best Regards picclock |
| BillTodd:
I had two cheap digital verniers on my old SB9 lathe for quite a while and have since fitted them, and a third, on to my drill-mill. I'd have to agree with John about the importance of keeping swarf and coolant out (and way-oil as well) some kind of cover is essential. I have hard-wired the reader heads to 2m long leads that plug into to a home-made an PC interface so I've also removed the display parts from the scales and covered the reader heads in screening foil. The scales are powered from the interface. I have a dedicated PC running as a DRO display, running a Visual Basic application giving Metric/Inch and fractional inch read outs simultaneously (which I find really useful) I've published details on various forums, but if any one is interested I can always post them here. Bill |
| Jonny:
See now Dale but do they not have a fine feed. Both of these have http://www.chesteruk.net/store/cobra_mill.htm http://www.chesteruk.net/store/conquest_mill.htm I will be installing a 3 axis DRO on the M300 in two to three weeks, one conventional glass for X and a magentic for the Y and tailstock supposed to be more coolant proof. As said before i did 3 axis with scales with more protection than the glass scales and C type covers offer, everyone packed up. Metals bounce and get every where. They had the wipers as well. I have seen many fitments to Z axis where owners have used the depth stop and wonder why they get different and inaccurate readings, need to come off the quill :coffee: |
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