Two or three axis DRO

From my limited experience with a Chester 626 definitely 3 axis with 4 scales - X,Y and quill and table combined through a summing interface for Z.

William.

I initially fitted 2 fairly cheap individual DROs from Arceurotrade to the x and y axes on my WM16. **LINK**

I found that the display on the quill DRO fitted as standard to the WM16 a bit small, so I bought another , made an interface box with an Arduino and Bluetooth module and use the TouchDRO app on a cheap Android tablet as the display. https://www.model-engineer.co.uk/albums/member_photo.asp?a=50081&p=859167

I would suggest you at least buy the 3 axis display even if you only start with 2 encoders. Then you can upgrade to the 3rd axis if you find the standard quill DRO difficult to read.

Stuart
 

Edited By Stuart Smith 5 on 26/02/2021 14:18:04

I have a Chester 16V and I was not really convinced about DROs. Anyway, in a moment of madness, I bought a M-DRO magnetic kit for X, Y & Z axes and it is impressive - I've seen the light, I'm converted.

I also have a cheap DRO available (not sure where I bought it) and I will be fitting it to the quill.

Phil H

Many thanks again for all your comments. After reading them I’ve just contacted Steve at Warco and changed the order for a 3 axis and scale.

I would be interested to see how Warco do the Z axis, mine is on the quill not on the column. I can’t see what use it would be on the column. If anyone is interested, I could take the cover off mine and post some photos.

Bert

Yes please Herbert.

I am considering a very cheap single axis DRO for my SX2. When I use it for drilling it is practically impossible to read the drill depth as the depth indicator is on the rear left side of the machine. If you drill in a normal position you cannot see it. Of course I could use the fine feed, but if you want a hole 10mm deep you get crazy doing it with the fine feed. So M-SURE MS-278-200 is on order.

Hi Guys,

I've just fitted a DRO to my Chinese copy of an Optimum mill. I put a glass scale on the column so that I can read the head height. My mill also has a readout on the quill for drilling depth.

I used a pair of aluminium brackets to mount the scale. I also used a spacer plate between the read head and mill head to match the thickness of the brackets.

I think the protective plastic dust cover is a nice touch ! Keeps greasy fingers off the membrane buttons.

Like all things, I should have got one years ago...

I'm putting one of these LCD DRO's on my Xmas list, Has anyone fitted one of these & are they better/worse than digital readout. Looking on youtube these have a graphical display for its functions so you can see where the cutter/drill is rather than setting to zero & inputting digital figures.

George

Edited By JasonB on 12/03/2021 20:01:53

George,

Can you post a url, please. My ‘puter will not access the link.

If you go to ebay and 'search' ************* you will find what George was trying to link to. I think.

I'll try and See C of C

Regards

Phil

Edited By JasonB on 12/03/2021 20:01:07

Phil, your link works fine. exactly what I was asking about.

George

A really cheap 25mm travel DRO can be created from a digital tyre guage.

This is one in use on my SX1. Screwed to the holes for the guard. Connection to the quill is a tiny neodymium magnet glued to the end of a plastic rod. Works well.

I have done the similar adaptation for my lathe tailstock & cross slide readings; work just fine for the cost of these, apart from buying Neodymininimuummmm magnets .

George.

I think they operate in a similar manner except one gets a pictorial indication of the ‘position number’ rather than a numerical value as on the older type. Dunno about any extras apart from that (I don’t anywhere-near use all the extras on my dro, as it is!).

Just be careful where you buy it from - I note they are available from the well-known junk merchants who sell sub-spec items.

Edited By not done it yet on 12/03/2021 19:47:46

Edited By JasonB on 12/03/2021 20:02:04

Back to my single axis z-axis problem on the SX2. This is what you see when you in front of the machine

The depth indicator is well hidden behind the motor control. Lets have a closer look.

I have to say I am not acrobatic enough to read that while lowering the drill (not such a problem when milling, as you normally use the fine feed)

Solution: A cheap, battery powered single axis DRO. Now already in position. Using the screws which held the millimeter scale I need only one extra hole to fix the sensor in position. The brass strip making the connection between sensor and milling head is using the hole where the old, mechanical indicator was fixed.

And finally the screen. There are several possibilities to fix it, I just used the magnets on the back to fix it to the column. In case it is in the way I can always move it to somewhere else.

This made my day, a quick fix for £30.

Edited By Gerhard Novak on 15/03/2021 20:38:16

Edited By Gerhard Novak on 15/03/2021 20:41:26

Gerhard,

Can I suggest that the display is not in an ideal place fixed to the front face at the base of the column. It's in a direct firing line for swarf/cutting oil etc, ti's up to you of course.

It is also sitting on the column stop. If drilling to a specific depth the stop is fixed with ref to the printed column scale to allow the desired quill movement with no risk of drilling too deep.

Ron, thanks for the hint, but I think this can be fixed with some transparent plastic sleeve