Two or three axis DRO

[herbert punterParticipant @herbertpunter99795]

I would be interested to see how Warco do the Z axis, mine is on the quill not on the column. I can’t see what use it would be on the column. If anyone is interested, I could take the cover off mine and post some photos.

Bert

[Roger BestParticipant @rogerbest89007]

Yes please Herbert.

[Gerhard NovakParticipant @gerhardnovak66893]

I am considering a very cheap single axis DRO for my SX2. When I use it for drilling it is practically impossible to read the drill depth as the depth indicator is on the rear left side of the machine. If you drill in a normal position you cannot see it. Of course I could use the fine feed, but if you want a hole 10mm deep you get crazy doing it with the fine feed. So M-SURE MS-278-200 is on order.

[John BaronParticipant @johnbaron31275]

Hi Guys,

I've just fitted a DRO to my Chinese copy of an Optimum mill. I put a glass scale on the column so that I can read the head height. My mill also has a readout on the quill for drilling depth.

I used a pair of aluminium brackets to mount the scale. I also used a spacer plate between the read head and mill head to match the thickness of the brackets.

I think the protective plastic dust cover is a nice touch ! Keeps greasy fingers off the membrane buttons.

Like all things, I should have got one years ago…

[Frances IoMParticipant @francesiom58905]

I like the “ALE” function but should you be drinking + operating machine tools?

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

I'm putting one of these LCD DRO's on my Xmas list, Has anyone fitted one of these & are they better/worse than digital readout. Looking on youtube these have a graphical display for its functions so you can see where the cutter/drill is rather than setting to zero & inputting digital figures.

 

George

Edited By JasonB on 12/03/2021 20:01:53

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

George,

Can you post a url, please. My ‘puter will not access the link.

[WearyParticipant @weary]

If you go to ebay and 'search' ************* you will find what George was trying to link to. I think.

I'll try and See C of C

Regards

Phil

 

Edited By JasonB on 12/03/2021 20:01:07

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

Phil, your link works fine. exactly what I was asking about.

George

[Peter Cook 6Participant @petercook6]

Posted by Gerhard Novak on 12/03/2021 06:56:17:

I am considering a very cheap single axis DRO for my SX2.

A really cheap 25mm travel DRO can be created from a digital tyre guage.

This is one in use on my SX1. Screwed to the holes for the guard. Connection to the quill is a tiny neodymium magnet glued to the end of a plastic rod. Works well.

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

I have done the similar adaptation for my lathe tailstock & cross slide readings; work just fine for the cost of these, apart from buying Neodymininimuummmm magnets .

George.

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Posted by mechman48 on 12/03/2021 12:37:30:

I'm putting one of these LCD DRO's on my Xmas list, Has anyone fitted one of these & are they better/worse than digital readout. Looking on youtube these have a graphical display for its functions so you can see where the cutter/drill is rather than setting to zero & inputting digital figures.

 

George

I think they operate in a similar manner except one gets a pictorial indication of the ‘position number’ rather than a numerical value as on the older type. Dunno about any extras apart from that (I don’t anywhere-near use all the extras on my dro, as it is!).

Just be careful where you buy it from – I note they are available from the well-known junk merchants who sell sub-spec items.

Edited By not done it yet on 12/03/2021 19:47:46

Edited By JasonB on 12/03/2021 20:02:04

[Gerhard NovakParticipant @gerhardnovak66893]

Back to my single axis z-axis problem on the SX2. This is what you see when you in front of the machine

The depth indicator is well hidden behind the motor control. Lets have a closer look.

I have to say I am not acrobatic enough to read that while lowering the drill (not such a problem when milling, as you normally use the fine feed)

Solution: A cheap, battery powered single axis DRO. Now already in position. Using the screws which held the millimeter scale I need only one extra hole to fix the sensor in position. The brass strip making the connection between sensor and milling head is using the hole where the old, mechanical indicator was fixed.

And finally the screen. There are several possibilities to fix it, I just used the magnets on the back to fix it to the column. In case it is in the way I can always move it to somewhere else.

This made my day, a quick fix for £30.

Edited By Gerhard Novak on 15/03/2021 20:38:16

Edited By Gerhard Novak on 15/03/2021 20:41:26

[Ron LadenParticipant @ronladen17547]

Posted by Gerhard Novak on 15/03/2021 20:37:09:

Back to my single axis z-axis problem on the SX2. This is what you see when you in front of the machine

The depth indicator is well hidden behind the motor control. Lets have a closer look.

I have to say I am not acrobatic enough to read that while lowering the drill (not such a problem when milling, as you normally use the fine feed)

Solution: A cheap, battery powered single axis DRO. Now already in position. Using the screws which held the millimeter scale I need only one extra hole to fix the sensor in position. The brass strip making the connection between sensor and milling head is using the hole where the old, mechanical indicator was fixed.

And finally the screen. There are several possibilities to fix it, I just used the magnets on the back to fix it to the column. In case it is in the way I can always move it to somewhere else.

This made my day, a quick fix for £30.

Edited By Gerhard Novak on 15/03/2021 20:38:16

Edited By Gerhard Novak on 15/03/2021 20:41:26

Gerhard,

Can I suggest that the display is not in an ideal place fixed to the front face at the base of the column. It's in a direct firing line for swarf/cutting oil etc, ti's up to you of course.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

It is also sitting on the column stop. If drilling to a specific depth the stop is fixed with ref to the printed column scale to allow the desired quill movement with no risk of drilling too deep.

[Gerhard NovakParticipant @gerhardnovak66893]

Posted by Ron Laden on 16/03/2021 07:16:03:

Gerhard,

Can I suggest that the display is not in an ideal place fixed to the front face at the base of the column. It's in a direct firing line for swarf/cutting oil etc, ti's up to you of course.

Ron, thanks for the hint, but I think this can be fixed with some transparent plastic sleeve

[Gerhard NovakParticipant @gerhardnovak66893]

Posted by JasonB on 16/03/2021 07:37:04:

It is also sitting on the column stop. If drilling to a specific depth the stop is fixed with ref to the printed column scale to allow the desired quill movement with no risk of drilling too deep.

Jason,

correct, I need to raise the depth stop otherwise I cannot use it. But as said above, the display is just fixed by 2 permanent magnets, so no problem there. The printed column scale is gone, as a) it was in the way and b) I used some of the fixing holes to fix the new, electronic scale.

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

Why not attach it at the top of your mill head, then you have the readout directly in front of you & away from swarf/oil/ ingress, the magnets should hold it securely enough & the cable is long enough?.

George.

[herbert punterParticipant @herbertpunter99795]

Here are some photos of the Z axis scale on my Warco mill if anyone is interested

[herbert punterParticipant @herbertpunter99795]

You will see from the dodgy photos that I made a sliding table with linear bearings and rods.

The scale is mounted to the table which is attached to the quill.

the reader head is attached to the head itself, it’s worked ok for a couple of years now.

There are some more pics in my albums.

Bert

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