Re: Mounting Z axis DRO

John,
That's very cool. You say prototype...is this something you'll
possibly make into a kit? I know I'd like to have one.

What about the plans or circuit diagram? Would you make that
available?

I've wanted to try something along these lines but haven't
got to it.

You could put some leds between the metal plates and the rods
would have a soft glow to them. If you needed to make a lot
of the rods, what you could do is simply drill the proper
sized holes in a thick piece of UHMWPE, that kitchen cutting
board material. Then put pieces of tape on one side covering
the holes to make a cavity to pour common 2 hr. cure epoxy
into. You can tint the epoxy with any oil based hobby-type
paint that they use for model airplanes, etc. Don't use
acrylic paint because it wouldn't cure properly. The 2 hr.
epoxy cures harder than the 5 min stuff.

The rods would pop out when cured.

This is relative to cnc for making control buttons and E-stop
buttons...throwing that in so I don't get off-topic with this.

Cool,cool!
John

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, John Dammeyer <johnd@...> wrote:
>
> Hi John,
>
> Never enough time or money. Here are two links to the keypanel for the
> first prototype. The box that goes around this will have larger 1/2"
> diameter holes and be the same thickness as the amount the extensions
> protrude from the heatsink panel (for the 3Amp 55V Micro-stepper drive).
>
> Over the box cover will be the plastic membrane with the switch
markings.
> If I've done it right, depressing the plastic overlay will cause the
buttons
> to be pressed.
>
> http://www.pacificsun.ca/~john/ELS/KEYPANEL.JPG
>
> http://www.pacificsun.ca/~john/ELS/KEYPANEL2.JPG
>
> For the home hobbiest who likes building tools etc. this makes for an
> inexpensive way of doing things. Just some time on the lathe with a
parting
> tool and some simple turning. I did them on an under powered
Unimat. With
> the extensions and the mounting of the LCD, the top of the LCD lines up
> nicely with the encoder MPG knob and the buttons which makes it all
one flat
> surface.
>
> Cheers,
>
> John Dammeyer
>
> > I'm going to have to figure out how to get one. The scales
> > on the mini-mill have made all the difference in the world.
> > I can't even imagine being without them now. I do want a nice
> > big readout though.
> >
> > If you need keypad buttons, have you thought about casting
> > them. It's easy. If they have a flat back, then it's even
> > easier. Any size,shape,color you can imagine. Even transparent.
> >
> > Yes, it's that time of year when all the $$$ I thought I had
> > now seems to have mysteriously disappeared.
> >
> > John
> >
>