Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Digital Readouts?

> Check out the Mitutoyo Digimatic brand, as it seems to be the least
> expensive model of the main manufacturers. It's typically about
> $700-800. I don't believe it has a radius/diameter switch. Penn Tool
> seems to have the best price on this particular model.

Depending on any interest you may eventually have in CNC, it's worth
noting that the output rate of [at last some of] the Mitutoyo scales
is very low, making them useless as motion control feadback. They
will track rapid motions fine, they simply will only update the
display comparatively slowly in computer terms (probably still faster
than you can see).

> Shooting Star is good at $500-600 or so, if you don't mind a somewhat more
> difficult installation.

Anyone know anything about the output signals from these scales?

> You could also "roll your own" DRO with Tom Kugula's software and US
> Digital encoders / linear strips. If you just want the carriage travel on
> your lathe, this might be a good way to go.

Yup, although there is some tricky machining involved to get
everything mounted.

> >I am looking for a DRO System for my Bridgeport Mill and my Off-Shore
> >Lathe. The Mill has travels of 9.5" X 14" and the Lathe 8.5"
> >X 35" I do not require the full 35" of travel. 18 inches of X travel
> >would be more than adequate for the Lathe.

One potential issues is that you would have to remove the scale from
the lathe if you wanted to use the rest of the bed - I don't think you
can simply run off the end of it and temporarily operate without DRO
since there is presumably an end cap.

For most of the scales I've looked at, there isn't that much price
difference to get longer units anyway.

Chris

--
Christopher C. Stratton, stratton@...
Instrument Maker, Horn Player & Engineer
22 Adrian Street, Somerville, MA 02143
http://www.mdc.net/~stratton
NEW PHONE NUMBER: (617) 628-1062 home, 253-2606 MIT