Actually, I found my Sino manual very instructive, and once you get used to the jargon used, is very easy to follow for all operations.
Most operations, once set up for what type of machine you are using can be done while the units are in general use, say changing from four decimal point imperial to five decimal points (3 and 4 in metric).
The read heads do require setting up correctly if you want them to give consistent results. Time spent setting them up to thou accuracy will be repaid with a trouble free installation. Mine have been in use now for 3 years, and have never missed a beat. Whereas when I used to use the vernier scales type, something was going wrong all the time.
With reference to the two read heads on my lathe. This was done purely for precision production work, when normally you would just use a 2 axis, or maybe 3 even if you use your compound a lot, as I do, but really for a mill you need a 3 axis unit.
On my mill I have a 3 axis Sino unit, for X, Y and Z1 (knee), but I also use a standard vernier scale for the quill (Z2, which is only used for drilling, not for putting a cut on). The most useful setup on the mill unit is the PCD function, you can drill a perfect set of holes around the PCD without having to break out the rotary table. But there are usually a lot more functions available, just by pressing a few button
John
Most operations, once set up for what type of machine you are using can be done while the units are in general use, say changing from four decimal point imperial to five decimal points (3 and 4 in metric).
The read heads do require setting up correctly if you want them to give consistent results. Time spent setting them up to thou accuracy will be repaid with a trouble free installation. Mine have been in use now for 3 years, and have never missed a beat. Whereas when I used to use the vernier scales type, something was going wrong all the time.
With reference to the two read heads on my lathe. This was done purely for precision production work, when normally you would just use a 2 axis, or maybe 3 even if you use your compound a lot, as I do, but really for a mill you need a 3 axis unit.
On my mill I have a 3 axis Sino unit, for X, Y and Z1 (knee), but I also use a standard vernier scale for the quill (Z2, which is only used for drilling, not for putting a cut on). The most useful setup on the mill unit is the PCD function, you can drill a perfect set of holes around the PCD without having to break out the rotary table. But there are usually a lot more functions available, just by pressing a few button
John