RE: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] DIY Three Axis DRO Kit

Hi Scott -

That's a very nice job! Does the kit include the membrane overlay
and the tactile buttons? If not, is that what is shown in the
photos?

Regards,

Carlos Guillermo
VERVE Engineering & Design

-----Original Message-----
From: ccq@... [mailto:ccq@...]
Sent: Friday, August 01, 2003 12:29 PM
To: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] DIY Three Axis DRO Kit

Sounds good, but I can't afford it till next month.....:-(

Do you have soft ware for anything besides windoze? (Linux?)

Bill

On Fri Aug 1 04:37:49 2003 Bob Muse wrote:

>Hi Scott
>Very nice job! I would probably buy one at least. Where can you
get the
>scales and cables and how much?
>Bob
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "sshumate" <sshumate@...>
>To: <CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com>
>Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2003 12:41 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