Installed an Enco x axis table feed on the B'port

Thanks, Frostheave. I got the x axis scale mounted late Saturday nite, but haven't got the display mounted and programmed so I haven't had a chance to test it. Working 4 tens this week so it will take me a while to get back to it. I'll let you know how it goes. Let me know if you work out the toggle box. Have a good one!
 
frostheave said:
I am debating between a 3 axis and a 4 axis. It sure seems that having a scale on the knee and one on the quill would be just too versatile to go without. I spent a ton of money, for me, on this mill and am trying to do it right this time! Below is the 4 axis DRO I am considering from Dro Pros.
Click to expand...

I am in the middle of the same delema. Here is a poll I took to get further input from our knowledgeable members.

Just this past weekend I discovered that the 4 axis would be the way I am headed. I had a job that really lent itself to having readout on the quil. And I certainly can see the value in having it on the knee. Make sure you keep us up to date.
 
You will love the PF and dro. Dro really speeds things up and pf makes them prettier.
 
Hi Randy. Thanks for the link to the poll. I was a bit surprised the majority vote was for 4 axis. I agree, 4 is the way to go. So, that being said, I'll probably have to go manual and save for a while.

And, if I am going this far, I should probably get a touch probe as well. This is really adding up! The DroPros EL-400 with probe would be $1,995 and the EL-700 with probe would be $2,205. I wonder if the EL-700 LCD display would be worth the extra $210. Being a visual person, a graphical display would really be a plus.

Like I said, it sure would be nice to do it Right this time.
 
I just ordered a 4 axis unit from tpactools. http://www.tpactools.com/4-AXIS-DRO...ORT-MILL-PACKAGE-ALL-4-GLASS-SCALES_p_55.html
I have their 3 axis unit on my enco RF30 clone which has served me well. Plus the support was very good.
I had bought the old one with 2 glass scales and a converted mag scale for the quill. The mag scale died after 4 years of the 5 yr warranty. I was able to upgrade to glass scale for only $50 for the trade up from the failed mag scale with very prompt shipping.
I will post photos as I get it installed.
 
frostheave said:
That's great Dave. Thanks for checking. I too will be installing a DRO and look forward to seeing your progress. Are you installing a 2, 3, or 4 axis? If 3 axis, will the scale go on the quill or the knee?

I am debating between a 3 axis and a 4 axis. It sure seems that having a scale on the knee and one on the quill would be just too versatile to go without. I spent a ton of money, for me, on this mill and am trying to do it right this time! Below is the 4 axis DRO I am considering from Dro Pros.

View attachment 75362
Click to expand...
I really am enjoying my 400, but wish they had the 700 in 4 axis when I bought it. They have a package deal on a touch probe also now. I asked for both of these things and would have dropped the cash to get them had they been available.
 
LEEQ said:
I really am enjoying my 400, but wish they had the 700 in 4 axis when I bought it. They have a package deal on a touch probe also now. I asked for both of these things and would have dropped the cash to get them had they been available.
Click to expand...

Is the 700 worth the upgrade?
 
You'll have to answer that yourself, but check out the pics of the display and any video they have of it. I would have done it, but I knew I wanted 4 axis dro's.
 
Monk: So I am in the process of decoding the quadrature signals from a DRO Pros glass scale. I was looking at Yuriy's OPEN DRO (http://www.yuriystoys.com/p/android-dro.html) but got frustrated trying to find the Arduino MCU code so I decided to try it from scratch. The hope is to use glass scales and display the X, Y, Z, and Z' locations on a laptop and/or a tablet. I bought a TMAX tablet at Sams for $80 (http://www.samsclub.com/sams/sample-20t/prod11650576.ip?navAction=). I'll use it for testing. It has a very nice display for the money! If it works, I'll do a full post.

bronk: That's a heck of a price on a 4 axis DRO!

Randy: The real e-Mill has arrived! I am creating a post now.

Bob
 
Hi Bob

I installed a 3 Axis DRO on my small mill. It was a Easson ES12 with glass scales from Hong Kong. The scales they supplied were SinPo and Sino.
Two things to watch with glass scales.

They are much larger than the Electronica Magnetic scales supplied by DroPros and would be much harder to fit to the quill. I recommend you investigate Magnetic scales. Magnetic scales are also coolant proof.

Also some of my scales were supplied with an integrated Backing Plate and Cover. Much easier to fit the Backing Plate first and true up then the actual scale goes drops on. Piece of cake.
This is particularly useful when fitting to uneven surfaces such as the Y and Z axis. Not so important fitting to the X ( back of the table) which is machined.
Hope this helps
Ron
 
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