Re: Installing rotary encoders

> From: TADGUNINC@...
>
> OK, at the risk of beating a dead horse, If you have access to .0001" DRO
> scales, wouldn't they provide a more accurate method of locating the table,
> than indirectly with encoders?

Yes! But, who can afford these? There are a number of innacuracies introduced
by using ballscrews and encoders. but, you should be aware that linear
scales are not a panacea! If the ways are worn such that the axes are not
orthogonal, or that an axis doesn't travel straight, then the linear scales won't
provide accuracy, either.

> If not I'll be installing encoders on my mill, if so can the programs you
> guys are running be set up to read from scales?

The computer should not be able to tell the difference.

> Finally, does anybody have info about how well the BOBCAD program works? And
> can it be used with the Linux programs for a source of the G codes?

It does not run on the Linux machine. they do have a DOS emulator, but I hear
news that the Windows emulator may be up and running. But, anyway, I
use Bobcad/CAM Ver 16.1 on a Windows 95 machine, and then send the
files over by network to the Linux CNC machine. I really haven't set Bobcad
up to have all the beginning and end functions I should have there, but it definitely
does work. I have cut several parts using Bobcad designs run through the
G-code generator of the CAM function. I find Bobcad cumbersome, and
the added things I have to do to specify roughing passes and finish offsets
to be pretty difficult. But, if the geometry is complicated, it definitely does
the job!

Jon