DRO scale Modification

Finally i'm getting around to fitting my new DRO to my mill. The smallest scale I could buy for my Y axis was 300mm - It really needs to be 250mm and if it was it would fit on the table much easier without sticking out which could potentially get damaged.

Is it possible to cut the scale shorter - and if so can any of the knowledgable out there describe the method.

What scale are you using is it a glass scale or magnetic. Make may help

David

Brought them from Chronos - there the Glass type - If I could reduce the length by 50mm it would fit so much easier.

See this thread

Cutting down a glass DRO encoder..

I have shortened a glass scale, but not a chronos one so you may need to adapt the method.

On the end that you are going to chop off, remove the end piece. Slide the read head to the other end. Fill the scale with cotton wool or tissue to try and stop grinding dust into the read head. Slide this packing upto the read head making sure that it's past the cut point. Mark the cut point on the outside case of the scale. I used an angle grinder with a 1mm thick cutting disc. Cut it so that the glass is supported by the metal in the direction that you are going to cut. Then go for it. Take it easy and do not force it though.

Just stick the end piece back on with sealer.

Best of luck.

Cheers

John

Edit , I see some has typed faster than me and posted a better desciption with pics.

Edited By elanman on 19/09/2021 08:45:15

Great - thanks all for the Link and the shorter description elanman - I think I will give it a go....... Maybe..... ?

Have a look on Youtube - there are several videos. Have a look at a few of them and you should find a method that suits you and your available tools.

Edited By Bizibilder on 19/09/2021 10:03:19

Get advice from Chronos?

There is no need to leave the read head on, they are easy enough to re fit.

I assume you have checked that the head still has enough travel, some heads need 75mm total extra travel more than the read distance. In other words if your table travel is 250mm the scale must be 325mm long.

A 50mm diamond disc in an ordinary hand drill will cut the glass, the 25mm size are too small to reach all of an angled glass scale.

Thanks for the reply. Yes I’m pretty sure if my measurements and 50mm off the end will make it much more usable.
my glass strip is vertical in its slot and not angled like the ones in the YT videos. But I’m sure that won’t make a difference.

The vertical ones are easier to do