Re: Homebrew DROs

Neil,

There are C compilers for the PIC, at about $125 (CCS). Floating point
is limited! For a DRO, You'd count encoder steps for the three axis,
and DIVIDE steps by the resolution of the resolution of the encoder *
leadscrew. I think I'd like a 4-line display (I have both 2 & 4), Then
you'd get XYZ and spindle speed?? It would be cheap if we didn't have
to use the U.S. Digital shaft encoders. HP had some also, as I recall.
A fast pic could probably watch 3 encoders, and an opto-sensor for a
tach.

It would make a nice project, anyone interested?

Alan KM6VV


Neil Gillies wrote:

>
> Hi
>
> snip...
>
> >How about:
> >
> >4. Build a DRO based around a PIC & one of the cheap 2-line LCD display
> >units.
>
> OK, the LCD display is a _very_ easy option - in fact the lash-up I made
> already has the LCD on my target board.
>
> The reason for using the Mac or Palm, is so that it makes it easier for
> __ME__ to program - ever tried doing calibration and calculation stuff in
> asssembler on a PIC ? (or similar :-) - a real PITA. Hence the reason for
> doing it in basic/pascal/c++ whatever on the mac (even hypercard or
> supercard for that matter :-)
>
> Maybe sometime later when I'm a bit older.
>
> Cheers
>
> Neil