DRO reader for Warco scales

[BaldricParticipant @baldric]

I currently have these scales **LINK** fitted to my milling machine with the display on **LINK**, however the display has died.

​Currently I am thinking I am thinking that I will replace the display with either Caliper2PC or TouchDRO, but I don't know what protocol the scales use, does anyone know and have they successfully used these scales with either system.

In terms of the reader I am currently thinking I will go with the TouchDRO as it is cheaper, provides the functionality I need and from the youtube videos seems easy to use. With the Caliper2Pc I tried running the demo, whilst it worked I wasn't keen on the display and wasn't convinced that I would be able to use it with a touch-screen as easily as TouchDRO, has anyone done a comparison with both of these recently? I know they are other threads that mention TouchDRO, some rather old, so would prefer recent experience from those that have used later versions of the software.

If there are better reasonably priced options, that in the future I could upgrade to better scales, I would also be interested, however I don't want to go down the route of designing hardware to interface to scales.

Baldric

[BaldricParticipant @baldric]

[Nigel BennettParticipant @nigelbennett69913]

These people www.ems-i.co.uk are very helpful and are recommended. Usual disclaimer.

[Rik ShawParticipant @rikshaw]

It may seem obvious but have you tried fitting two new lithium cells in the readout. I have the same unit and unless you turn it off after use the batteries are depleted in a surprisingly short time.

Rik

[Rik ShawParticipant @rikshaw]

PS – My readouts used to be pretty eratic / unreliable but since I removed the supplied metal brackets and isolated the scales by refitting nylon brackets I am trouble free. I can now rely on the mill for consistent readings at all times.

Rik

[ZebethyalParticipant @zebethyal]

I also use TouchDRO, and opted to use shielded USB cables as recommended on Yuriy's site.

Beforehand, when I was using the original Igaging remote displays attached to the front of the mill, the interference from the motor would randomly reset one or more of the displays – not ideal in the middle of a machining operation.

I built my own board and used an ATtiny85, the older Arduino firmware and a bluetooth module along with a cheap 10.1" Android tablet as a dedicated display (details here and here), it is working fine for me whilst I use it on my mill to make the parts for its own CNC conversion.

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

I just checked mine. One cell was dead (a reader) but the main readout is still operating OK. Probably the readout was physically turned off, but not the reader (on the scale). Not checked to see if the readout works with good cells in the scales, but Rik is likely on the money.

I bought mine on the back of a local model eng who only used the scales with separate readouts (cheaper option for him, but a little less sensitive). They do seem to be bomb proof, generally. Have you contacted Warco? They are very helpful, I have found.

[BaldricParticipant @baldric]

Thanks for the replies.I
​I have replaced the batteries, but it didn't help. Strange thing is it stopped working about a week ago, this evening I went in the workshop and the display has turned its self on and started working! I guess there must be a dodgy joint in there somewhere.

I have asked Warco what protocol the scales use, so far I have not had a response other than not understanding the question,

I may still look at using TouchDRO as it offers a few other things that seem interesting, and I will be using a PCB supplied by Yuri, assuming i can confirn what protocol they use and they will work with it.

Baldric.

[BaldricParticipant @baldric]

Has anyone else used these scales with the TouchDRO app, or any other reader? Do they know what pins do what on the connector?

[John RuddParticipant @johnrudd16576]

• 3V3 connected to the red wire
• GND connected to the black wire
• Clock is white wire
• Data is connected to green wire: the aforementioned info from Yuri's site……

[BaldricParticipant @baldric]

John, the only problem is that assumes the cable supplied by Warco is the same as the unit Yuri used. I wasn’t planning on cutting the cable I have as I may reuse the display with cables, but as a last resort I will. I will open the scales and display to see if there are hints on the PCB.
Baldric.

[John RuddParticipant @johnrudd16576]

Baldric,

If it helps, I have the iGaging units, the readout units have the connections id'd on the pcb….

John

[BaldricParticipant @baldric]

I thought I would post an update, I have not completed the Touch DRO kit.

When I took the display apart it provided enough information to work out which connection was which. I used standard shielded USB leads from the head to my box, in my box I used a PC USB header assembly with the PCB connections remade to match the wiring on the PCB. The whole unit is powered using a USB to PSU adapter lead so a single wall wart PSU will be able to supply the unit and the display.

In my case I am using an Amazon Kindle for the display, I used an app on my phone to extract the app to be able to install it on the Kindle.

So far this has all worked when tested, I have yet to use it in anger.

Baldric

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