Nice!
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My first mill is a First mill
- Thread starter PaulL
- Start date
Nice!
Thanks.
This project used all the different modern techniques for building crap. PC boards exported as STP files imported into Alibre for modeling fit. The box was actually designed by the client but we worked together to ensure it fit. Those drawings went out to Valid Manufacturing in Salmon Arm (the same company that fabricated the Olympic Rings back in 2009). They make the boxes, powder coat and add the labels. I do final assembly.
That first heatsink was milled on my CNC router form the PC heat sink since I didn't have CNC on the mill 4 years ago. That spray booth I mentioned is for conformal coating the boards so moisture and dust don't short circuit things.
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@PaulL I would recommend getting an LCD display as opposed to a segmented LED.
The ease of programming things like bolt circles is much improved with the LCD models because they can display what's being asked instead of relying on cryptic numeric codes.
I have the 3-axis version of this model and the display is excellent and programming is easy.
The ease of programming things like bolt circles is much improved with the LCD models because they can display what's being asked instead of relying on cryptic numeric codes.
I have the 3-axis version of this model and the display is excellent and programming is easy.
Any thoughts on touchscreen vs membrane buttons? The price difference seems minor.
I prefer membrane switches for the positive action of press and click. That said I have to steady the bottom of the display because the pivot isn't stiff enough to resist the pressure of pushing the button. I could remedy this by moving the base that holds the arm so that it's directly behind the display as compared to off to the side.
(I hope that last bit makes sense)
Just arrived via Purolator.I have special screws coming from McMaster Carr. Theoretically tomorrow that I ordered late last night. Purolator Tracking says it's already at the Hamilton Ont. airport. Now if I could only get the Deutsch connectors that the screws go into as quickly.
I've also had good success with Spaenaur
Spaenaur Inc - Fasteners Right Now
Spaenaur is recognized throughout North America as a leading distributor for industrial fasteners, hardware components and tools. We operate out of a 115,000 Sq. foot warehouse in Kitchener, Ontario and specialize in stocking hard-to-find parts that can be shipped same-day.spaenaur.com
I am not familiar with that model or make so I can't speak for it.
My browser comes up 298 Cdn + 35 Cdn Shipping. If you are happy with that you can start haggling for magnetic scales etc. Those sellers on Ali are all totally used to haggling. If they happen to be in Shenzen, they were born hagglers cuz that's pretty much all they do there is haggle. A Chinese friend of mine from near Shenzen told me that they laugh at people who pay asking price.
Membrane.
You can fix it yourself if ever needed. I hold the bottom edge like @David_R8 .
Who wants greasy finger marks all over their screen.
Plus 10 for LCD.
@PaulL - you could also try starting with this Ditron and then haggle your way to include scales etc
C$ 230.51 6%OFF | Dro 2 Axis/3 Axis/4 Axis Digital Readout ,DB9 TTL Siganl Digital Display RPM Function with Hall Sensor
a.aliexpress.com
I have a Ditron 4 axis like this with magnetic scales on my mill and I have zero complaints. It's a very nice unit.
C$ 230.51 6%OFF | Dro 2 Axis/3 Axis/4 Axis Digital Readout ,DB9 TTL Siganl Digital Display RPM Function with Hall Sensor
216.59C$ 15% OFF|Dro 2 Axis/3 Axis/4 Axis Digital Readout ,db9 Ttl Siganl Digital Display Rpm Function With Hall Sensor - Level Measuring Instruments - AliExpress
Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com
I have a Ditron 4 axis like this with magnetic scales on my mill and I have zero complaints. It's a very nice unit.
Just to pipe up here, I'm on the fence so far: Ditron or Touch DRO (Yuriy's Toys).
I like the idea that a bunch of forum members have the Ditron and speak highly of it and that we have a critical mass to trade info. On the other hand I think it might be a case of if anything goes wrong with the hardware (display not scales) it might just have to be replaced because it's a closed system from China so support is likely to be minimal.
What could go wrong? For one the tactile switches. I have a premium model, name brand appliance with the tactile switches and the most used ones are falling apart. I've seen similar on other equipment that is well used. I've also seen switch bounce in another application after some use so I'm wary of putting my eggs in that basket.
On the other hand I see our latest member @Lanis3333 is planning on using a standard Android tablet with a Touch DRO system. I've browsed that option and it looks worth understanding before a decision is made. A big plus there is hardware is not custom and is mass produced on a scale orders of magnitude greater than the DRO market meaning it should be more mature/reliable plus failure is easily recoverable. The uncertainty with that system depends on the long term commitment of Yuri, the entrepreneur behind the system. This is in no way implying any sign of lack of commitment.
In either case I believe the scales would or could be identical which takes them out of the equation.
Just pondering right now......
D
I like the idea that a bunch of forum members have the Ditron and speak highly of it and that we have a critical mass to trade info. On the other hand I think it might be a case of if anything goes wrong with the hardware (display not scales) it might just have to be replaced because it's a closed system from China so support is likely to be minimal.
What could go wrong? For one the tactile switches. I have a premium model, name brand appliance with the tactile switches and the most used ones are falling apart. I've seen similar on other equipment that is well used. I've also seen switch bounce in another application after some use so I'm wary of putting my eggs in that basket.
On the other hand I see our latest member @Lanis3333 is planning on using a standard Android tablet with a Touch DRO system. I've browsed that option and it looks worth understanding before a decision is made. A big plus there is hardware is not custom and is mass produced on a scale orders of magnitude greater than the DRO market meaning it should be more mature/reliable plus failure is easily recoverable. The uncertainty with that system depends on the long term commitment of Yuri, the entrepreneur behind the system. This is in no way implying any sign of lack of commitment.
In either case I believe the scales would or could be identical which takes them out of the equation.
Just pondering right now......
D
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Just to pipe up here, I'm on the fence so far: Ditron or Touch DRO (Yuri's Toys).
I like the idea that a bunch of forum members have the Ditron and speak highly of it and that we have a critical mass to trade info. On the other hand I think it might be a case of if anything goes wrong with the hardware (display not scales) it might just have to be replaced because it's a closed system from China so support is likely to be minimal.
What could go wrong? For one the tactile switches. I have a premium model, name brand appliance with the tactile switches and the most used ones are falling apart. I've seen similar on other equipment that is well used. I've also seen switch bounce in another application after some use so I'm wary of putting my eggs in that basket.
On the other hand I see our latest member @Lanis3333 is planning on using a standard Android tablet with a Touch DRO system. I've browsed that option and it looks worth understanding before a decision is made. A big plus there is hardware is not custom and is mass produced on a scale orders of magnitude greater than the DRO market meaning it should be more mature/reliable plus failure is easily recoverable. The uncertainty with that system depends on the long term commitment of Yuri, the entrepreneur behind the system. This is in no way implying any sign of lack of commitment.
In either case I believe the scales would or could be identical which takes them out of the equation.
Just pondering right now......
D
I believe your assessment is actually spot on with two small exceptions. The Ditron is a turnkey solution and the cost of a replacement Ditron Screen Unit is under 300 and could be less with haggling.
Future units might be less or more - who knows. If my membrane switches go, I'll repair them or replace them with buttons. (I say that boldly based on repairing similar systems but admit I could get a nasty surprise when I open up the unit). If they are not repairable or if the whole screen unit goes, I'll simply replace it. Or go with something else compatible with my scales.
In other words, yes it's not free but it's not cause for a nervous breakdown either.
That is not an argument against the Yuri system. It's just to say that the Ditron is not a dead end issue.
I'd love to see a member pull together a Yuri system for all of us to see.
I think you've captured the big picture, the tactile switches might be ad-hoc repairable but if that's too big a PITA then the console goes in the recycling and another gets hooked to the scales. What I've seen under the hood on the tactile switches is they were integrated in a flex circuit with laminated plastic overlays so fixing that might be awkward.
My experience with tactile switches hasn't shown stellar reliability so along with the promise of a more capable user interface/features Touch DRO would put that problem off the table.
I agree, it would be interesting to follow along as a member brings a Touch DRO on stream and get likes/dislikes on how it handles in practice.
D
I recommend that you go to Hobby Machinist as Yuriy has a dedicated sub-forum there. He's very responsive.I think you've captured the big picture, the tactile switches might be ad-hoc repairable but if that's too big a PITA then the console goes in the recycling and another gets hooked to the scales. What I've seen under the hood on the tactile switches is they were integrated in a flex circuit with laminated plastic overlays so fixing that might be awkward.
My experience with tactile switches hasn't shown stellar reliability so along with the promise of a more capable user interface/features Touch DRO would put that problem off the table.
I agree, it would be interesting to follow along as a member brings a Touch DRO on stream and get likes/dislikes on how it handles in practice.
D
Yikes. My text vanished. Try again.
I have two DRO-350's, one as a kit of parts and PC board and the other assembled and installed on my mill. It takes the caliper type protocol. THe DRO-550's apparently could handle more than the caliper protocol and I have one assembled but no connectors yet. The other is partially assembled without displays or connectors.
Not sure what I will do with these.
I have two DRO-350's, one as a kit of parts and PC board and the other assembled and installed on my mill. It takes the caliper type protocol. THe DRO-550's apparently could handle more than the caliper protocol and I have one assembled but no connectors yet. The other is partially assembled without displays or connectors.
Not sure what I will do with these.
Attachments
I definitely recommend the LCD type DRO - very easy to read and use.
Here is my install:
https://canadianhobbymetalworkers.com/threads/yet-another-dro-install-king-kc-20vs-2.4866/
Just to pipe up here, I'm on the fence so far: Ditron or Touch DRO (Yuriy's Toys).
I like the idea that a bunch of forum members have the Ditron and speak highly of it and that we have a critical mass to trade info. On the other hand I think it might be a case of if anything goes wrong with the hardware (display not scales) it might just have to be replaced because it's a closed system from China so support is likely to be minimal.
What could go wrong? For one the tactile switches. I have a premium model, name brand appliance with the tactile switches and the most used ones are falling apart. I've seen similar on other equipment that is well used. I've also seen switch bounce in another application after some use so I'm wary of putting my eggs in that basket.
On the other hand I see our latest member @Lanis3333 is planning on using a standard Android tablet with a Touch DRO system. I've browsed that option and it looks worth understanding before a decision is made. A big plus there is hardware is not custom and is mass produced on a scale orders of magnitude greater than the DRO market meaning it should be more mature/reliable plus failure is easily recoverable. The uncertainty with that system depends on the long term commitment of Yuri, the entrepreneur behind the system. This is in no way implying any sign of lack of commitment.
In either case I believe the scales would or could be identical which takes them out of the equation.
Just pondering right now......
D
I was out in the shop "playing" with my mill just now and realized there is a piece of advice I didn't give you.
Install the display before the scales.....
Maybe that's obvious but maybe not. The reason for doing that is of course so you can test your scales as you install them. But there is a more important advantage too.
If you install the screen first, you can actually use each DRO, as it is finished, to make subsequent brackets! What an amazing experience. Makes you smile from ear to ear as you add each axis one at a time!
Like you, I custom made each of my read head brackets. I didn't use any of the factory supplied bracketry. Making each bracket as I installed each scale became more and more satisfying as I progressed.
Here is a link to my install. It shows each of the brackets, where I put them, and why. It will be different for your mill but still worth the watch. Might give you some ideas.
Just skip over all the undrillobillium stuff. You won't have that problem.
Thread 'Installing a DRO on a Hartford Bridgeport Clone.' https://canadianhobbymetalworkers.com/threads/installing-a-dro-on-a-hartford-bridgeport-clone.4852/
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