Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Re: Re: Digitizers,

Hi Bill,

Just a thought re:the use of piezo crystals. If you are intending to use
them as strain gauges or couple the probe tip to them in some way, you
should be aware that they are quite brittle. Consequently, any sudden
jarring or side loading would just snap them. If I were going to try such a
system I would probably mill a groove in a small block of aluminium and glue
both ends of the piezo across the gap (making sure I didn't short out the
plated on contacts). Then I would glue the end of the probe to the centre of
the piezo using a flexible adhesive like hot-melt glue. You may need a
fairly sensitive amplifier this way but it should make the piezo last
longer. (In the record player pickups, one end of the piezo 'rod' is held in
a clip and the free end rests against a soft rubber link which 'connects' it
to the stylus)

Ian
--
Ian W. Wright
Sheffield UK
www.iw63.freeserve.co.uk