RE: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Laser mouse based DRO - Stand Alone ?

Hi Art, Ron,

He may be thinking of a more "self contained" unit. A PIC and a 2 - 4 line
LCD display could be quite compact! A PIC could probably also watch the
encoder lines directly, if one didn't want to use the U.S. Digital part.

And then again, it's fun to design/build PIC projects! Amazingly powerful
little guys!

Thanks for the website! I'm sure a LOT of people have made use of it!

Alan KM6VV

> -----Original Message-----
> From: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Art Eckstein
> Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2005 12:22 PM
> To: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Laser mouse based DRO - Stand Alone ?
>
> Just to jump in here, why use a pic? Can't get much simpler than a
> couple of buffer ICs and a few pullup resistors!
>
> The system has worked for several years now and if I had to do it
> over again, this is the way to go as far as I am concened! I no
> longer have the DRO on the mill as it is now CNCd, but it still works
> on the lathe!
>
> Yes, you need to have a computer with a built in math co-processor as
> it was reasoned there are not to many 286s left out there. The whole
> thing is on a board that I can put into the computer and steal the 5V
> from an extra plug on the power supply. Some Radio Shack places still
> carry the ICs, or you can build it from transistors if you like. To
> me, it was easier to use the ICs.
>
> The software and the plans are still up on my site and I still get a
> few hits from people that want to build it and use it.
>
> Have fun!
>
> At 03:07 PM 8/23/2005, you wrote:
> >--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, R Rogers <rogersmach@y...> wrote:
> > > US digital sells encoders for $19 each and A.G. Eckstein's free DRO
> >software will work on any used PC, 386 and up if I remember correctly.
> >All that is required other than the encoders is a small breadboard
> >with a few transistors.
> > >
> > > Everything has gotten so cheap that it's hardly worth converting
> >mouse or trackball parts into a DRO. Unless someone just wants to see
> >if it would work.
> > >
> > > I seen a DRO the other day and it used regular 4 conductor telephone
> >wire for the encoders back to the readout, no shields. It worked?
> > >
> > > Ron
> >