Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] DIY Three Axis DRO Kit

I am interested in the DIY DRO, it sounds great. Mt CNC mill conversion is
almost complete....if the total cost in time and dough is reasonable. What
are your estimates for both?

R. William Kichman, P.E.
Kichman Engineering Associates
103 Old Furnace Road
Cornwall, PA 17016-0643
tel/fax 717/270-0714

----- Original Message -----
From: "sshumate" <sshumate@...>
To: <CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2003 3:41 PM
Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] DIY Three Axis DRO Kit


I have finally finished my DIY three axis DRO. I set out to make a
DRO as capable as the commercial versions but use the cheap Chinese
digital scales and be low cost in its own right. The cost of the
DRO parts minus the scale cables and PCB should be around $60-$70.
I designed it to use common parts available at Digikey, Mouser, or
the like and be all DIP devices to make it easier for someone to
assemble it as a kit.

Here are the set of features I included:
· Software upgradeable over RS-232 serial port with free
Windows software
· Fast scale reading with a display update rate of up to 50
times a second per axis
· Powers scales for battery-free operation
· Triple data sampling for glitch free readings
· Three axis display with super high efficiency LEDS for
maximum brightness
· Display brightness configurable in 10% increments
· Max display range of ±99.9995 inches (±999.995 mm)
· Six display resolutions: ±99.9995, ±99.999, ±99.995,
±99.99, ±99.95, ±99.9 inches (±999.995, ±999.99,
±999.95, ±999.9, ±999.5, ±999 mm)
· Incremental and absolute coordinate systems
· Enter zero values for both coordinate systems entered via
keypad
· Enter incremental presets via keypad
· Separate zero and preset buttons for each axis
· Centerline function
· Bolt hole patterns with programmable start and end angles
· Linear error correction factors for each axis
· Two data display modes: data averaging for a more stable
display reading when the scale is at rest or direct data
display to show the data unfiltered from the scale
· Auxiliary input for either an electronic edge finder or
tachometer
· Electronic edge finder optical coupling so any optical
electronic edge finder, like Enco's $19.99 Machinist's Mate,
can be used.
· Third axis configurable to display RPM or SFM from
tachometer for lathe operations
· Reversible axis directions
· Diameter mode (2X) for any axis
· Configurable auto power-off time (1 min, 5 min, 15 min, 30
min)
· Near zero warning by flashing display
· Configurable tool offsets entered via keypad
· Setup through display and keypad
· Setup is retained even if power is removed

Of course, being software upgradeable means that any conceivable
feature could be added or changed in the future. Here are some
pictures:

http://www.shumatech.com/images/dro1.jpg
http://www.shumatech.com/images/dro2.jpg
http://www.shumatech.com/images/dro3.jpg
http://www.shumatech.com/images/dro4.jpg

I am going to build at least three more, one for my lathe, and two
for friends. I am willing to offer the DRO as a build-it-yourself
kit if there is enough interest to make the PCB manufacture
affordable. I figure if 20 or so people are interested, the PCB
should cost $10-$15 to produce. I am not willing to produce a
finished product since I am way too busy at my day job. There are
several commercial alternatives like Zietlow's, Positron, etc.
that offer a finished product, albeit for a finished price. What I
don't know is how many people are either willing or feel they are
capable of soldering the components together and machining the case
themselves.

The case machining is very straightforward consisting of three
windows for the LEDs and 28 holes of four different diameters. It
took me about two hours to machine mine going very slow to double
check everything. The PCB will consist of about 15-20 DIP IC's,
the LEDs, and 30-40 resistors/capacitors/diodes. It should take
someone 3-4 hours to solder together the whole thing.

I might be willing to offer a few pre-assembled and tested PCBs but
it will be on a time-allowed basis only.

Any interest?

-Scott



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