WM-14 Quill DRO

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WM-14 Quill DRO

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  • #14832
    Matt McKenzie
    Participant
      @mattmckenzie43876

      Replacing the WM-14 Quill DRO

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      #645987
      Matt McKenzie
      Participant
        @mattmckenzie43876

        Has anyone replaced the WM14 Quill DRO with something that can plug into a display? I find the LCD display quite hard to read.

        There is a Youtube video of such a thing with another milling machine and the poster managed to sum the Quill DRO with the Z axis which seems to be an excellent idea.

        So, one needs to find a 100mm encoder and reader that will sort of fit into the space available and produce an output compatible with that from the glass encoders I had fitted on the machine…

        Matt

        #646000
        not done it yet
        Participant
          @notdoneityet

          M-dro is the company you might be checking out. Plenty on the ‘net about it.

          #646002
          Matt McKenzie
          Participant
            @mattmckenzie43876

            Thank you. Yes their smallest one seems to be 6 1/4 in, but maybe it could be adapted…

            #646036
            DiogenesII
            Participant
              @diogenesii

              Warco supply a 100mm travel scale..

              #646043
              Mike Hurley
              Participant
                @mikehurley60381

                Not answering the question specifically – but –

                Yes the LCD display is difficult to read, however I found that using one of those small head torches helps a great deal. When you look at the display with it on it gives much higher contrast and is easy to see. Also helps to illuminate the work as well. Perhaps worth trying before modifying your kit?

                #646142
                Stuart Smith 5
                Participant
                  @stuartsmith5

                  Matt

                  I don't think you will get an optical type scale that will fit in the space available.

                  I have a WM16 and fitted this type from Arceurotrade (I had already fitted them to the X & Y axiis):

                  **LINK**

                  I used the 150mm one and cut it to fit.. The display that comes with them is no better than the one already fitted to the mill, but you can mount it in a better place.

                  I actually replaced the displays with an Android tablet using the TouchDRO app (https://www.touchdro.com/) and a homemade interface circuit.

                  Photos are in my album 'Mill DRO'.

                  If you want an optical scale to match an existing DRO system, I have taken a couple of photos of the smallest one that Warco do (100mm travel). You could make up some brackets to mount it in front of the existing readout.

                  Stuart

                  as fitted.jpg

                  warco 100mm scale held in front of mill.jpg

                  Edited By Stuart Smith 5 on 22/05/2023 00:10:22

                  #646146
                  JasonB
                  Moderator
                    @jasonb

                    I would think about a magnetic strip and small read head. The strip could be fitted to a flat bar replacing the existing one that the mill uses and the head fitted to where the existing display fixes.

                    #646149
                    Matt McKenzie
                    Participant
                      @mattmckenzie43876
                      Posted by Mike Hurley on 21/05/2023 09:25:35:

                      Not answering the question specifically – but –

                      Yes the LCD display is difficult to read, however I found that using one of those small head torches helps a great deal. When you look at the display with it on it gives much higher contrast and is easy to see. Also helps to illuminate the work as well. Perhaps worth trying before modifying your kit?

                      Yes. You're right. Lighting does help or wearing a white apron! . Also the height of the workbench also means that I am looking at it from the wrong angle.

                      #646150
                      Matt McKenzie
                      Participant
                        @mattmckenzie43876
                        Yes. That looks good. Part of the project is to integrate it with the ' Z axis display. I guess that would work if it didn't flap about being only held at one end.

                        Photos are in my album 'Mill DRO'.

                        If you want an optical scale to match an existing DRO system, I have taken a couple of photos of the smallest one that Warco do (100mm travel). You could make up some brackets to mount it in front of the existing readout.

                        Stuart

                        Edited By Stuart Smith 5 on 22/05/2023 00:10:22

                        #646151
                        Matt McKenzie
                        Participant
                          @mattmckenzie43876
                          Yes. That looks good. Part of the project is to integrate it with the ' Z axis display. I guess that would work if it didn't flap about being only held at one end.

                          Photos are in my album 'Mill DRO'.

                          If you want an optical scale to match an existing DRO system, I have taken a couple of photos of the smallest one that Warco do (100mm travel). You could make up some brackets to mount it in front of the existing readout.

                          Stuart

                          Edited By Stuart Smith 5 on 22/05/2023 00:10:22

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