Re: Digest Number 1 & homebrew DRO

Well I got the digest #1 last night (the second digest, since there was
a digest #0). Since my introduction was labeled message #1, anyone who
signed up after it was posted didn't see it (unless they signed up for
digested as well), so I included it below.

As I noted below, I'm in the process of doing my own DRO. Resolution of
the encoders is probably biggest $ consideration. In other words, the
more resolution you want the more $ you need.

US Digital can provide linear encoders that will provide resolution of
.0006". These cost around $50 bucks each, depending on length, shorter =
cheaper. The are also manufacturers that have linears with .0001"
resolution, they'll cost around $500 for an 18" version.

I got the US Digital PC interface card. It has 4 channels, so, while I'm
only using 2, one for X and one for Y, I can expand to a Z axis if
necessary. At this point I don't know what I'd do with a 4th dimension,
speed I suppose.

The actual display was cheap, that old PC that been gathering dust since
the last upgrade was free!

I wrote the software, so I can make it do what ever I want. Currently,
it displays X and Y travel as well as feed rate. It can do presets,
zeros...the usual stuff.

> Message: 1
> Date: Thu, 6 May 1999 08:14:47 -0400
> From: rmcilvaine@...
> Subject: Starting point
>
> Hi all,
>
> I subscribed to the digested list and have not received the first
> digest. Therefore I don't know what, if anything, has been discussed.
>
> Maybe a good starting point would be for those who were at NAMES, to
> tell those of us who weren't, about the conversation that
> brought about
> the creation of this list.
>
> Are we going to talk about homebrew EDM/DRO?
>
> If so I'm in the process of mounting X & Y .0001" res. encoders to my
> Bridgeport. These are connected to two channels of a US Digital 4
> channel encoder interface card in an old 286 PC.
> I wrote the software for this card.
>
> Are we going to talk about CAD?
>
> I've had the dubious honor of spending the better part of the last 25
> years in the CAD industry.
>
> Are we going to talk CAM?
>
> I started my computer career designing CAM machinery for the ancient
> technology of wire wrapped digital circuit boards. We used small
> computers back then, they were only 6 ft. high in a 19 inch wide rack
> cabinet, with the latest storage media available...paper tape readers!
>
> So, let the games begin!
>
> Mac
> Homebrewer and tinker by choice, Computer geek by trade.
>
>