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DRO's
Dec 3, 2007 22:13:39 GMT
Post by mutley on Dec 3, 2007 22:13:39 GMT
Hi All As christmas is looming large I've got to come up with some present ideas and I've got a hankering for a DRO. Anyone got any experience? I've been looking at the Sino range from these two companys digital-caliper.co.uk/digital_display.phpwww.machine-dro.co.uk/apart from diffrences in the console models and functions, warrenty length and claimed supplier status has anyone got any thoughts?
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Julia
Involved Member
4" Burrell Little Beastie
Posts: 53
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DRO's
Dec 4, 2007 8:51:47 GMT
Post by Julia on Dec 4, 2007 8:51:47 GMT
I fitted a Sino DRO to my mill. The biggest advantage is: - always knowing the position of the tool. This enables cuts to be taken with confidence. Some of the advanced features are also very handy. Multiple zeros are great, for example when working on a slot (different zeros for each end).
The "rotary table" functions are surprisingly useful much less bother than setting up on a rotary table and work holding can be easier. Tool can be guided to produce a radius by taking multiple straight cuts - not much advantage for a small radius but great for a large radius.
On the negative side the advanced features only work in metric. The advanced features are complicated to use and have to be though about very carefully. Their operation is not 100% logical and I have to make frequent reference to the manual. One gripe is that some functions are datumed to the current tool position when it would be more useful for them to use 0,0,0 (ie where the scales are zeroed)
My biggest regret is not buying a new mill before fitting the scales as the scales cost more than the mill is worth and I now want a new mill.
Julia
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DRO's
Dec 4, 2007 11:26:16 GMT
Post by modeng2000 on Dec 4, 2007 11:26:16 GMT
I have fitted a Shumatech DRO to my mill. www.shumatech.com/No complaints about this kit as it was straight forward to assemble. Having worked out how to attach the three digital scales I can now mill with comfidence. John
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DRO's
Dec 4, 2007 11:42:43 GMT
Post by jgb7573 on Dec 4, 2007 11:42:43 GMT
I fitted a 3 axis DRO from Ortec to my mill. Saved a lot of heartache allowing for backlash. It does not support the advanced features described above for the Sino (at least I don't think it does). I wouldn't be without it now.
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jackrae
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,333
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DRO's
Dec 4, 2007 12:55:47 GMT
Post by jackrae on Dec 4, 2007 12:55:47 GMT
I also have an Ortec unit, but only 2-axis, that I bought several years ago and wouldn't be without.
I'm really surprised how inexpensive and more comprehensive, the Sino units are by comparison.
One word of caution :- until you've confirmed the calibration of the scales be careful about trusting them too much.
I found one of my transducers was measuring short (about 10 thou per inch) when compared against both the milling table lead screw and a mechanical vernier type unit. Ortec changed it no bother. Other than that it's never given any trouble and the ability of being able to forget about how many turns you've turned the feed wheel makes it a pleasure to use. Jack
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DRO's
Dec 4, 2007 13:29:35 GMT
Post by mutley on Dec 4, 2007 13:29:35 GMT
Hi All Thanks for the advice, itseem's to be a good idea. John I'm intrested to hear more about your shumatec unit. I assume you assembled it yourself, any problems what about support if it goes wrong? How easy is it to calibrate? Has anyone any experince of the YADRO (Yet Another DRO) ones that run on an old PC? Haven't found the Ortec units so I will do a search for them. Any advice on the transducers. Cheap Chinese or more expensive glass units? DrJohn I get the inkling Julia could probably scratch build if she wanted to.
Andy
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DRO's
Dec 4, 2007 14:37:39 GMT
Post by modeng2000 on Dec 4, 2007 14:37:39 GMT
Hi Andy, I bought my kit from Lester Caine. He does offer help if needed and there is a Yahoo Group groups.yahoo.com/group/ShumaTech/ which is very useful at times. The scales I used came from Arc Eurotrade, they are available in various lengths. I had a spare 150cm digital caliper and so it got used for the Z axis. I'd be pleased to help further if needed. John
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DRO's
Dec 5, 2007 12:50:50 GMT
Post by Nigel Bennett on Dec 5, 2007 12:50:50 GMT
Got the Newall ones on the Myford - very good indeed and makes working in inches or millimetres very easy. Installing them needed a bit of care, though. Expensive!
The Chester milling machine came with 2-axis DRO - a Chinese affair which has been very good also. I fitted a cheap LCD DRO for the Z axis, and had an unusual failure with it the other day - the sliding head had "picked up" on the fixed scale, so much so the down-feed quill stuck! A few strokes with a diamond file to the mating surfaces, plus a squirt of lubricant sorted it.
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DRO's
Dec 5, 2007 18:29:35 GMT
Post by Chris Kelland on Dec 5, 2007 18:29:35 GMT
Hi All,
I have had no problems with the cheap Chinese scales and have fitted three to my Warco WM16 mill.. I have had a pick up as described by Nigel, but it was caused by the mounting screws being of differing lengths. I did not seem able to get over the problem so I put a countersink on the inside of the scale body and used countersunk screws. The only thing that can cause problems is that the remote lead has a terrible plug, soft moulded rubber. Best to follow the advise given in the Yahoo group and solder the leads in. For sealing I could not find a silicon sealer free of acid so used clear Bostic with good success.
Regards,
Chris.
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ivanp
Active Member
Posts: 40
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DRO's
Dec 5, 2007 19:36:44 GMT
Post by ivanp on Dec 5, 2007 19:36:44 GMT
Chris I have a wm16 mill and i am thinking of fitting a DRO have you any fixing details you can send me.
regards Ivan
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DRO's
Dec 7, 2007 16:49:03 GMT
Post by Chris Kelland on Dec 7, 2007 16:49:03 GMT
Hi Ivan,
I have fitted these as a 'try out' really to see if it works. I will try to find out how to put up pictures as I took quite a few as I did it. One thing was, it might be a bit of a bodge, but they work well. Once I can get the pictures I'll get back to you.
Chris.
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ivanp
Active Member
Posts: 40
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DRO's
Dec 9, 2007 19:27:09 GMT
Post by ivanp on Dec 9, 2007 19:27:09 GMT
thanks Chris ivan
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DRO's
Dec 10, 2007 15:12:23 GMT
Post by mutley on Dec 10, 2007 15:12:23 GMT
Hi All Thanks for all for the advice, having looked at the options I've placed an order for a 3 axis Sino unit from Machine DRO (no association) I'll let you know how I get on with it. At least one pressie won't be more socks!!
Andy
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DRO's
Dec 10, 2007 17:20:11 GMT
Post by Chris Kelland on Dec 10, 2007 17:20:11 GMT
Hi Ivan,
Still trying to get some pictures up, but can't quite get the hang of it. I understand the instructions on the site, but can't make them work! Send me a PM and I'll e-mail some to you. Save you waiting.
Chris.
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DRO's
Dec 11, 2007 17:05:03 GMT
Post by circlip on Dec 11, 2007 17:05:03 GMT
Think we're a dying breed drjohn, wonder how many trust the DRO scales implicitly, or stick on a mic or caliper "just to make sure" First used optical scales on Bridgeport and jig grinders as a apprentice and had to re-educate some of the "old stagers" in the best tool room I worked in, where next youngest was 60, I was19. how to use them on a brand new Bridgeport they were supplied with. A lot easier that "counting turns"but we were making production press tools. Just before and after I acquired my Maximat and vertical head I had to go back to counting etc and found no problems in reverse engineering. I suppose it's how you were brunged up? it was also quite late in life "comparatively" before I became metricated, but have no problems with bisexual measuring. Must admit tho' when yer batteries run out at 6 O'clock on Christmas eve WE can still operate easily
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DRO's
Dec 11, 2007 17:43:58 GMT
Post by Chris Kelland on Dec 11, 2007 17:43:58 GMT
Hi Ivan, I have finally managed to get some pictures together and get them in a post. There are 3 shots showing how I have mounted the scales. So far no problems, though they appear to eat batteries. Use silver oxide batteries, last about 6 -9 months. The on - off button only turns the display off. If you use a seperate read out or the Shumatech unit the scales still work even though they are turned off! Hope this is of help. Regards, Chris.
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DRO's
Dec 12, 2007 17:27:01 GMT
Post by Chris Kelland on Dec 12, 2007 17:27:01 GMT
Hi All,
Its only clean because the workshop was still being built and the mill was just out of the box. Want to see a picture now, a few years later?
Chris.
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DRO's
Dec 13, 2007 7:30:16 GMT
Post by modeng2000 on Dec 13, 2007 7:30:16 GMT
Drjohn's comment is what I was concerned about. I tried to ensure that the X and Y DROs I fitted to my mill were protected from swarf and cutting oil by encasing them all round except for the bottom. They have only been in use for about a year but so far I have had no problems. Could it be that the scales are more resistant to swarf and oil than expected?
John
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DRO's
Dec 13, 2007 11:04:50 GMT
Post by modeng2000 on Dec 13, 2007 11:04:50 GMT
So far everything that I have machined using the DROs for measurement has been as accurate as other methods such as the calibrated hand wheels. In fact I would go on to say that I have achieved more satisfying results using the digital readout and it is my preferred method.
John
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DRO's
Dec 13, 2007 15:13:59 GMT
Post by circlip on Dec 13, 2007 15:13:59 GMT
C'mon Modeng John, no more politician speak (you're not one in your day job are you?) Fess up, do you or doncha check longhand? You've got two of us waiting with baited breath ;D ;D
Ian.
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