DRO help

[grease monkey]

hey all, would like to install a DRO on my new to me mill, First model, wondering what you all have success with at a decent cost? itching to install on on the quill as well, but if I cant find one to join the read out, using a 3 axis and the 3rd being the quill, then I'll likely just go 2 axis, dont feel the need to monitor knee height, I tried to do a search and not sure I have that kind of time to read all the results populated from my query, so forgive me for being limited with time, and let me know what you all think!

 

[David]

So far as I know the TouchDRO is the only DRO that does axis summing so it would let you sum the knee and quill DRO.
I had it on my bench mill and it worked fantastic.
Not cheap but it is the most full featured unit on the market.

 

[Susquatch]

hey all, would like to install a DRO on my new to me mill, First model, wondering what you all have success with at a decent cost?

I can vouch for the Ditron. It can add the knee to the quill for total Z just like the touch. Not saying I'd avoid the touch. They both have their pros and cons.

Here is my complete 4 axis plus RPM install on a Bridgeport Clone. It's not identical to the First, but close enough.

Thread 'Installing a DRO on a Hartford Bridgeport Clone.'

Mar 5, 2022

I started this thread somewhat in frustration at not being able to find detailed instructions on how to install magnetic scales on my Hartford Clone. So it will be a long thread asking lots of questions and dealing with lots of challenges.

The DRO is a Ditron D80 with Slim 1micron Magnetic Scales.

I will also include a few posts about how I mounted the display and probably add additional posts as I change things in future. Thanks in advance to everyone who will contribute.

• Susquatch
• Replies: 153
• Forum: Machine Talks. Mills, Lathes, Shapers, etc.

 

[David]

I can vouch for the Ditron. It can add the knee to the quill for total Z just like the touch. Not saying I'd avoid the touch. They both have their pros and cons.

Here is my complete 4 axis plus RPM install on a Bridgeport Clone.

https://canadianhobbymetalworkers.com/threads/installing-a-

dro-on-a-hartford-bridgeport-clone.4852/

Oh I didn't know the Ditron could also do that. Good to know!

 

[phaxtris]

I have an ali express 3 axis on my mill, its served me well

This one, just a different name on the one i have, there are plenty of more modern style ones for a few bucks more

Hymseann SNS-3V complete set 3 axis milling/ lathe/ drill machine dro digital readout with 3 pcs linear scales - AliExpress 1420

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

 

[Susquatch]

Oh I didn't know the Ditron could also do that. Good to know!

I'm sure they are both virtually the same in that respect. The DRO Pros model prolly does it too. Might be worth a scan to see what makes do it and which don't.

Regardless, I will say it's one of the coolest features you can have! I absolutely love it. It can be touchy to adjust a quill to a thou or so. But it's a piece of cake on the knee if you lock the quill first.

 

[gerritv]

Aikron DRO does the summing if you buy the 4 axis display (and you are using 3+quill). Their displays can all do summing regardless of # of axis/axes if greater than 2.

 

[Tom O]

My DRO’S PRO on my 601 has it too.

 

[jcdammeyer]

So far as I know the TouchDRO is the only DRO that does axis summing so it would let you sum the knee and quill DRO.
I had it on my bench mill and it worked fantastic.
Not cheap but it is the most full featured unit on the market.

I don't know if the newer Shumatech does that. I should ask. The DRO-350 I don't think does that and therefore I never put one on my mill knee.

DRO-550 | shumatech.com

www.shumatech.com

 

[slow-poke]

My Ditron sums knee and quill. Only complaint is that if I kill the power source, it does not save the coordinates, if I power it off with the switch it does.

 

[Susquatch]

My Ditron sums knee and quill. Only complaint is that if I kill the power source, it does not save the coordinates, if I power it off with the switch it does.

Really! That's a feature they advertise! But I've never tested it. I have a faint memory of having to save a particular data set for it to work. I will have to re-read that part of the manual and test mine.

 

[Susquatch]

My Ditron sums knee and quill. Only complaint is that if I kill the power source, it does not save the coordinates, if I power it off with the switch it does.

I happen to have a digital copy of the manual on my phone. I think you have to deliberately set the data recovery to on. Although it is clear as mud, here is the description in the manual.

7. Data Recovery of Zeroing ON/OFF(Recovery): When the data recovery of zeroing is in the statues of ON, press the zero button for the corresponding axes, the value will be cleared. Press the zero button of the corresponding axes again, the cleared value will be recovered. When this function is in the statues of Off, the value cannot be recovered if pressed the zero button for the corresponding axes. Press Set to proceed the setting.

Elsewhere it mentions that this feature allows it to survive a power failure.

2.7 Ruler Storage Function(REF): Function:In daily machining process, we often encounter such situations as power failure or machining couldn't be finished in one day. If losing the machining zero point, we have to retrieve the zero point of work piece which is troublesome. What's more serious is that there's always errors in retrieving the zero point of work piece by touching,which may cause errors to the parts machined afterwards. DRO provides ruler storage function. It stores the zero point of work piece by using the zero location of grating ruler, which enables the operator to find the zero point easily after power off without retrieving the zero point by touching. Example: Take the X axis for example: The mechanical zero location of X axis grating ruler (a fixed point on the grating ruler) work piece Grating sensor Zero point of work piece Store the distance to find ruler centre after power off, Reset the distance, then the zero point of work piece will be retrieved. Note: The ruler storage function in our DRO is the most advanced and easiest to use in the DRO market. Each time the operator uses functions which may affect the zero point such as Zeroing, finding centre and inputting coordinate under ABS coordinate, DRO will store the distance between zero point of work piece and ruler centre. So the operator only need operate under the ABS coordinate to set the origin before either switching on the DRO or machining (the work piece hasn't been clamped onto the table). Through which the DRO will record the zero location of the ruler. Then DRO will deal with other storage processes without bothering the operator.

 

[slow-poke]

I happen to have a digital copy of the manual on my phone. I think you have to deliberately set the data recovery to on. Although it is clear as mud, here is the description in the manual.

7. Data Recovery of Zeroing ON/OFF(Recovery): When the data recovery of zeroing is in the statues of ON, press the zero button for the corresponding axes, the value will be cleared. Press the zero button of the corresponding axes again, the cleared value will be recovered. When this function is in the statues of Off, the value cannot be recovered if pressed the zero button for the corresponding axes. Press Set to proceed the setting.

Elsewhere it mentions that this feature allows it to survive a power failure.

2.7 Ruler Storage Function(REF): Function:In daily machining process, we often encounter such situations as power failure or machining couldn't be finished in one day. If losing the machining zero point, we have to retrieve the zero point of work piece which is troublesome. What's more serious is that there's always errors in retrieving the zero point of work piece by touching,which may cause errors to the parts machined afterwards. DRO provides ruler storage function. It stores the zero point of work piece by using the zero location of grating ruler, which enables the operator to find the zero point easily after power off without retrieving the zero point by touching. Example: Take the X axis for example: The mechanical zero location of X axis grating ruler (a fixed point on the grating ruler) work piece Grating sensor Zero point of work piece Store the distance to find ruler centre after power off, Reset the distance, then the zero point of work piece will be retrieved. Note: The ruler storage function in our DRO is the most advanced and easiest to use in the DRO market. Each time the operator uses functions which may affect the zero point such as Zeroing, finding centre and inputting coordinate under ABS coordinate, DRO will store the distance between zero point of work piece and ruler centre. So the operator only need operate under the ABS coordinate to set the origin before either switching on the DRO or machining (the work piece hasn't been clamped onto the table). Through which the DRO will record the zero location of the ruler. Then DRO will deal with other storage processes without bothering the operator.

What a word salad that conveys little information. I prefer the way we implemented it in our products.

"All uses settings are automatically saved to nonvolatile memory on power down or power failure"

One of a thousand reasons we were able to sell our products for $100k per.

 

[Susquatch]

What a word salad that conveys little information. I prefer the way we implemented it in our products.

"All uses settings are automatically saved to nonvolatile memory on power down or power failure"

One of a thousand reasons we were able to sell our products for $100k per.

Ya, the translation sucks. What else is there to say!

 

[grease monkey]

thanks guys, I'll have to figure which one wont take to long to get here.

 

[grease monkey]

so I did a thing... time for some schooling on operation! bought off the jungle site, made by ToAuto, came in like 8 days, no material list to verify everything came that should have, zero installation instructions, watched so random video on yt, and modifying the bracketry sent, was able to get an install I was happy with! not sure if I needed the Z axis, buts its on now, a little tricky working around all the lube lines and the way locks, very few places to mount this stuff, like the main bed has coolant drains on the interfered, and is was NOT getting mounted on the front, I think it turned ok, just have to watch the X cover when the bad is tucked right to the back, its close, same with the X travel full positive, or all the way left, this mill have a power feeder on the X axis, that all might get snug as well for the Y axis cover, hope I never decide to move the auto travel stop for the feeder! otherwise, pretty happy with the final result! now to read and understand the Chinglish manual and start playing! Also went ahead and mounted a nice 2 tube 4" fluorescent light right above mill and the lathe, lit workspace is always good!

 

[jcdammeyer]

Am I correct in assuming that although you've mounted it all you haven't yet unwrapped DRO from it's plastic shipping bag?????????
(Yes.... bad joke I know.... but I'm a Dad....)

 

[Susquatch]

Am I correct in assuming that although you've mounted it all you haven't yet unwrapped DRO from it's plastic shipping bag?????????
(Yes.... bad joke I know.... but I'm a Dad....)

Mine came with a plastic protection cover. Keeps the dust off of it.

 

[grease monkey]

thats not a shipping bag, its the dust cover, and greasy fingers cover. need one for the vfd right above it.