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DRO Guide

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Neill25/07/2011 13:48:04
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7 forum posts
I've just had DRO put on my lathe (I wimped out of doing it myself) and it's great, but I feel I could probably get a lot more out of it.
 
Is there a decent book on the topic that anyone is aware of?
JasonB25/07/2011 16:38:06
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25215 forum posts
3105 photos
1 articles
Assuming its a glass scale type and not the calliper scales then have a look at the DROPro videos they give an idea of what can be done.
 
J
 
 
Bogstandard25/07/2011 20:10:31
263 forum posts
Neill,
 
Even though a lot of DRO display boxes have a lot of the same functions, they do sometimes use different methods (keypresses) of achieving the same thing.
 
I found with mine (same unit for both lathe and mill), I just followed the instruction book word by word. After a couple of goes it was fairly easy to pick up. Even though you might not use the function very often, it will come flooding back when you do, or you will understand the programming in the book much easier as you have done it all before.
 
One thing I will tell you for nothing, in imperial, forget about using the five decimal place display, or four in metric. Have it displaying to the 4/3 decimal places, otherwise you will soon be chasing your tail. A tenth is plenty accurate to work to.
 
John
JasonB25/07/2011 20:14:18
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25215 forum posts
3105 photos
1 articles
You have got one that moves in 0.00019" steps as well then Bogs
 
J

Edited By JasonB on 25/07/2011 20:14:47

ady25/07/2011 20:36:39
612 forum posts
50 photos
You have got one that moves in 0.00019" steps as well then Bogs
 
Maybe DROs need a damping system for those shaky fingers after a night at ra pub.
JasonB25/07/2011 20:39:27
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25215 forum posts
3105 photos
1 articles
I think its because they read to 0.005mm and then just convert that to imperial so you get a bit of rounding up/down.
 
J
Bogstandard25/07/2011 22:30:32
263 forum posts
It might be a bit of a senior moment on my part, but I just do not understand.
 
You have got one that moves in 0.00019" steps as well then Bogs
 
Unless of course you have misunderstood the 4/3 bit, which means 4 decimal places in imperial and 3 in metric.
 
I don't know if it has any bearing, but in 5 decimal place mode for imperial, it only displays to an accuracy of 5 hundredth's (0.00005") and because of the accuracy displayed (BTW, I am now a coffee totaller, so no shakes) it takes a lot of keeping up with when doing a cut., and no, Specsavers won't help.
 
John
Chris Trice25/07/2011 23:21:11
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1376 forum posts
10 photos
I fitted a DRO to my milling machine and can say it's the best investment I've made. Toying with doing the same to the Super 7 but waiting to see a really neat fitted layout before pursuing.
 
ady26/07/2011 03:16:57
612 forum posts
50 photos
We jest with you sir, once things get to 10,000ths then 8tpi and 10tpi leadscrews are probbly too coarse and these leadscrews would probably benefit from an additional worm drive system, like a fine feed.
 
Does anyone know if you can connect the output plugs from a vernier directly to a mach 3 control type system?
There's a wee output connection plug cover, usually on the top of a digital vernier, while the battery cover is on the right hand side.

Edited By ady on 26/07/2011 03:17:45

ady26/07/2011 03:52:23
612 forum posts
50 photos
It's not as simple as you would expect, hence the rarity, and the expense.
 
Bogstandard26/07/2011 04:14:54
263 forum posts
We jest with you sir, once things get to 10,000ths then 8tpi and 10tpi leadscrews are probbly too coarse and these leadscrews would probably benefit from an additional worm drive system, like a fine feed.

Say no more.

I would not like to embarrass you by telling how us old timers get to put on a 1/10th feed, which is dead easy now I have a DRO to show me when it is so, rather than a handwheel scale to divide up into 10 imaginary pieces.
 
The words "being at one with your machine" comes to mind.

8tpi and 10 tpi leadscrews indeed!


John
ady26/07/2011 04:28:12
612 forum posts
50 photos
I would not like to embarrass you by telling how us old timers get to put on a 1/10th feed,
 
I thrive on being humiliated, it's my destiny in this life.
 
So you can tell us how you do it now. Cheers.
 
A giant handwheel on the cross slide?
 

 

Edited By ady on 26/07/2011 04:43:32

Neill26/07/2011 07:32:20
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7 forum posts
Thanks guys for your help, I'm learning and all I can say is that after a couple of days I'm beginning to wonder how i got by before DRO.
Metalhacker26/07/2011 11:56:33
82 forum posts
Just an aside. The standard of instructions in the average DRO from our oriental cousins is beyond belief awful. I have the Allendale electronics set which is a SINO in origin. Allendales instructions are superb. I also downloaded the Sino ones. I do not know who translated them into Chinglish but they are almost incomprehensible. So well done Allendale. (unsolicited plug)
The DROPros videos are good though
 
BW Andries
Neill26/07/2011 12:42:45
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7 forum posts
I agree with regard to the Allendale manual, it is one of their DRO's I've got. It is fine for how to set readings etc etc, but the sort of guide I had in mind was how to get the best from having a DRO. I can't download the pro videos, we have lousy broadband speed and it would take hours.
 
It seems there is a gap (well 1 copy would be sold!) in the market here for a clued up potential author to write another volume for the workshop practice series.
Gary Wooding28/07/2011 08:17:10
1074 forum posts
290 photos
Unless you are very skilled, machining to 1/10 thou accuracy is simply pie-in-the-sky.
If you put a 2" diam steel bar in the lathe chuck, with 12" protruding, the end will droop about 1/10 thou under it's own weight.
Further more, any machining produces heat. If you heat the same bar by about 27C, it's diam will increase by about 1/10 thou.
 

DerryUK28/07/2011 10:46:29
125 forum posts
<into Chinglish but they are almost incomprehensible>
This annoys me too. Why a British reseller thinks it is OK to put THEIR name on a product and then give you a rubbish manual is beyond belief to me.

If I have just bought something for £5 direct from China then I can accept it but not when I have just stumped up over £100 (say) for an item.

Perhaps the image of their company is so poor in their mind that they don't care.

Derry.
Neill28/07/2011 10:53:10
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7 forum posts
In defence of Allendale, their manual is fine and very clear and makes setting and reading the DRO easy, with worked examples to clarify. I've not tried downloading the sino ones so cannot comment on them. The service I got from Machine-DRO was very good.
duncan webster28/07/2011 20:01:08
5307 forum posts
83 photos
can only agree, Machine DRO are very helpful. If you're really stuck go to one of the big exhibitions and they will show you how, at least they did with me. I think it helps sales if they are seen to be demonstrating, so it's in their interests as well
DerryUK28/07/2011 22:12:53
125 forum posts
Apologies, I should have said I was talking in general terms and not DRO specific. I am still saving up for my DRO <s>.
 
Derry.
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