Digital read out

I'm considering fitting an Arcuro Tools Standard digital read out BAR to my Myford Super 7 lathe cross feed. Before re inventing the wheel, has any one already fitted one and would they like to share with me how they mounted it. John

Hi John I have not fitted Arcuro Tools one I used the Machine DRO embedded one to my S7 link

https://www.machine-dro.co.uk/cross-slide-dro-encoder-upgrade-for-the-myford-ml7-and-super-7-lathe-digital-readout-bolt-on-kit

H

Much as I respect Arc Euro. I would not consider their digital readout. If I were going to spend money on a system then I would go for The Machine DRO type of system with glass or magnetic scales and a combined readout. The 2 or 3 channel readout enables you to do quite a few useful and fancy tricks! If I could not afford this type of system, then I would wait and save up for it, I would not be tempted by the Bar system.

Andrew.

Edited By Andrew Tinsley on 22/01/2023 16:44:20

Many thanks chaps for the response. I have already had a look at the club's fitted super 7. I have a small shed and space is a real premium, the lathe is tight to the wall, I can't find a space for the read out panel. Fortunately Its not the brass but the space, I have managed for more than 30 years so not a big problem. John

Machine DRO sell small single and double readouts compatible with their various scales they sell

I'm going to fit the embedded scales to my lathe soon, I can't remember exactly what the price is to upgrade, about £25 per readout to upgrade to 0.001mm resolution, which seems pretty reasonable to me.

This is their single readout, probably about 45mm~50mm high so pretty compact.

I fitted the embeded magnetic tape , similar to mdro , but mine is from Ditron in China. It comes with a 1um resolution per side reader head and matching tape. so reads 2um. It has been very reliable so far. What I do like with the Ditron is that it has the ability to show RPM and feedrate on any chosen axis. With these types of systems, you can also add the top slide. I find that the arc features are great when you want to make a 1 off radius etc instaed of having to make a form tool that is unlikely to be used again. The downside of the embeded system is that you need a mill to cut the recess for the magnetic tape.

There are many systems out there, and it's not always easy to decide that is for sure.

I ran a modified digi caliper on my lathe cross slide for a while, but found it really achieved nothing. I work mostly in metric on an imperial lathe and conversion is easy as 2 x table (0.1 mm requires 2 thou on the dial). Eventually it had some problem (cant remember now) and I couldnt be bothered to repair it.

What I do have is a long Arc Euro magnetic bar on the long axis. A very worthwhile mod.

I value the advanced features on my 3 axis Sinpo system on rhe mill, but really don't see that I could justify the expense on the lathe.

Martin