Yuriy's Toys DRO Scales

Thinking of equipping my Sieg SX2P mill with the Yuri's Toys DRO system - has anyone used this system and if you have, what scales have you used?

Gordon,

I used the scales from Arc, the ones with the remote display....

http://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/Catalogue/Measurement/Digital-Readouts-with-Dedicated-Remote-Display/Digital-Readout-Bars-with-Dedicated-Remote-Display

Thanks for that John. I'd seen those and dismissed them previously, as I felt it would be a terrible shame to buy them and not use the displays. They also appear to be a bit vulnerable to swarf etc. - how have you found them? Currently considering buying the system from Little Machine Shop.

I bought one of Yuri's quadrature boards and have been using it with both glass and magnetic scales for about 18 months now. It works really well, got it hooked up to an old 8.9" kindle with a proper android OS flashed on. Scales were bought from machine-dro, usual disclaimer applies.

I played with DRO's, the magnetic scales had a terrible jitter even when I buffered them as close as possible. I had to take a series of readings and average them out. Maybe they have improved, but if I ever wanted them I would probably go for the glass.

Gordon the X axis is mounted via a piece of aluminium angle, bolted to the front of the table so is protected from swarf.

The Y axis is mounted such that the scale is vertical, potentially vulnerable to swarf, but so far is working fine...

I'll try and get some photos if you want?

Graeme - thanks, good to know that you're happy with the system.

Robin - I have no idea why you found the magnetic scales to be jittery, but I'd have thought that was more a function of the interface than the scales themselves.

John - Some photos would be very useful thanks.

John

I considered the same choice of scale as yourself for when I get around to it but was put off when reading the spec. On Arc's website, the spec of the readout bars with dedicated remote display shows them as considerably less accurate than the 'standard' readout bars. For example, the 300mm scales are quoted as having accuracy of +/-0.003mm for the standard and +/-0.2mm for the remote version. Is that a mistake on the Arc site?

I would be interested in hearing of your experience of them. An accuracy of +/-0.2 mm doesn't sound very good. Perhaps Ketan could comment?

Alan

It is very easy to check, assuming you have an oscilloscope.

I have got the Yuriys Toys Touch-DRO software in use on several machines. I have fitted 1 and 5 micron magnetic scales from Machine-DRO (Allendale) - (no connection just a satisfied customer) on both a Cowells ME90 lathe and a Cowells milling machine. I made all the brackets myself and built two of Yuriys quadrature controller (one per machine). I have several Android tablets to run the Touch-DRO app.

I also have the same scales on a Myford 7, Super 7 and Colchester Student but using a standard type display again from Machine-DRO. I have been very happy with both the magnetic scales and Yuriys software and hardware.

Colin

Colin - thanks, good to know that you're happy with the system. I'm still investigating scales, but at the moment, I'm preferring the look and price of those from Little Machine Shop.

Robin - I do have a scope, though it's a few years since I used it. Assuming you were seeing jittering on the output of the scale read head, perhaps it is filtered out in the display software?

Gordon,

ARC introduced SIEG to Yuri about two years ago. They worked together to bring out the result you see on LMS website. Still early days to make a decision for if and when ARC will get involved.

Ketan at ARC.

Small point but for what it's worth it's actually "Yuriy" in case anyone's searching.

I have 2 mills and a lathe with Blu-DRO Bluetooth unit reading out to my Android tablet. I use I-Gaging scales with the Blu-DRO box. I bought the scales & the Blu-Do in the USA and had them delivered to my sister in law who lives in Houston. They were then brought over by other family members in their luggage. The price in the USA is less than half the price in the UK. They all work very well and have had no problems with them. If I recall the largest 24" I-gaging scales and readouts were £35-50 each from Taylortoolworksllc.

Ketan - thanks. IMHO, it'd be good if ARC did get involved, but that's entirely your decision.

Oldiron - thanks for that. I'm tempted to buy all the bits from the US, but bothered by delivery and customs charges, so I've ordered the interface from Blu-dro and my son will bring it back with him on his next business trip. As far as the scales go, I think I'll just buy them from ARC, as I feel I should be supporting British businesses where I can. Can anyone confirm that the ARC scales will work with the Yuriy's interface?

Hi Gordon,

The story is that both the GM of SIEG and I stumbled across one of the makers of the stand alone (non-bluetooth) system, which was being presented by a Chinese Scientific Institute. To save on a car journey, we went and saw these guys together. After the meeting, to get the cost down, GM of SIEG wanted a cheaper suggestion, hence I discussed the bluetooth idea with Yuriy, and after initial introductions were made, left them to get on with it.

As these are electrical based products, we 'ARC' have to look at, and see how to deal with certain compliance issues if we decide to offer this system in the U.K., which in turn involves certain investment. As the original idea was experimental, I preferred to keep my distance, until the system is proved properly by others who are prepared to hold the can. When I last checked, most of the issues were ironed out, but there was some uncertainty - issue with 'interference', under certain installation criteria, which I am unable to get into. I will get a clearer idea may be early next year, at which time I will also get a clearer picture with reference to compliance issues and viability.

With regards to viability, some things have become so cheap that I have to question if it is something that ARC wishes to pursue. This is one of those type of products.

Thank you for your kind comments on supporting British businesses. Although we do not sell this system, have you considered looking at buying the magnetic scale system (tape and encoders) - components from Machine-DRO who advertise on here, and making the rest of the system by downloading the information from Yuriy's site? Although I don't have the details, I am aware of others going down this creative route. I think a chap called Richard along with his mate Julian are two of the people who have gone down this route (using our i-Gaging type scales), and written something in one of the MEW magazines, as well as on MadModder forum. Sorry i can't be more specific.

Ketan at ARC.

Ketan - Yes, all understood regarding getting electrical items approved for use in the UK - it can be a long and expensive road.

While I'm sure that there are advantages in using something like Machine DRO's magnetic scales, I feel they are rather expensive compared to the amount of use they're going to get. I'll give ARC's I-gaging type scales a try to start with and take it from there. While I'm perfectly capable of going down what you call 'the creative route', I'd rather devote my leisure time to the pursuit of my main hobby and simply purchase the gizmos that I need for the workshop if possible.

Gordon

Gordon,

You have a message from me....