DRO Install Questions

[MaverickNH]

I picked up a LMS 2-axis DRO for my 7x16 mini-lathe. The kit uses magnetic scales and TouchDRO hardware & software. The scale/sensor installation instructions are iffy and while LMS has great support, I thought I’d get some input from the knowledgeable folks here.

The cross-slide install instructions are probably not written for my 2013 vintage 7x12 upgraded to a 7x16, as the measurements for mounting the stationary sensor on the saddle slide and scale on the cross slide leave too little distance for the sensor. If I mount the sensor as low as possible on the saddle slide and the scale as high as possible on the cross slide, it might just work.

While the sensor should not touch the scale in operation:

1. What’s the maximum gap for function?
2. What deviation from parallel for the scale is accepatable?

These factors might vary with brand of scales/sensors, but it looks like these come from SEIG, so some may have insight on the brand https://www.siegind.com/magnetic-scale-digital-readout-system

Thanks!

BRET

 

[ycroosh]

I picked up a LMS 2-axis DRO for my 7x16 mini-lathe. The kit uses magnetic scales and TouchDRO hardware & software. The scale/sensor installation instructions are iffy and while LMS has great support, I thought I’d get some input from the knowledgeable folks here.

The cross-slide install instructions are probably not written for my 2013 vintage 7x12 upgraded to a 7x16, as the measurements for mounting the stationary sensor on the saddle slide and scale on the cross slide leave too little distance for the sensor. If I mount the sensor as low as possible on the saddle slide and the scale as high as possible on the cross slide, it might just work.

While the sensor should not touch the scale in operation:

1. What’s the maximum gap for function?
2. What deviation from parallel for the scale is accepatable?

These factors might vary with brand of scales/sensors, but it looks like these come from SEIG, so some may have insight on the brand https://www.siegind.com/magnetic-scale-digital-readout-system

Thanks!

BRET

Bret,
To answer your question: the gap should be 0.5mm, and the head should be as parallel as possible (i.e. as good as you can measure).

This said, SIEG magnetic scales have pretty bad cyclic error, so no matter how well you mount them, you will bet getting +/- a few thousandths of error every 5mm. Take a look at this thread if what I'm saying doesn't make sense: https://www.hobby-machinist.com/thr...endations-for-touchdro-and-other-dros.107016/

Second, LMS DRO is using an unlicensed copy of 10 year old TouchDRO adapter and software that is about as old. As far as I'm concerned, the whole thing is a pirated copy of my system, so I don't support it and at some point will block it from being compatible with newer TouchDRO software.

Regards
Yuriy

 

[MaverickNH]

Bret,
To answer your question: the gap should be 0.5mm, and the head should be as parallel as possible (i.e. as good as you can measure).

This said, SIEG magnetic scales have pretty bad cyclic error, so no matter how well you mount them, you will bet getting +/- a few thousandths of error every 5mm. Take a look at this thread if what I'm saying doesn't make sense: https://www.hobby-machinist.com/thr...endations-for-touchdro-and-other-dros.107016/

Second, LMS DRO is using an unlicensed copy of 10 year old TouchDRO adapter and software that is about as old. As far as I'm concerned, the whole thing is a pirated copy of my system, so I don't support it and at some point will block it from being compatible with newer TouchDRO software.

Regards
Yuriy

I actually bought an iGaging TouchDRO adapter directly from you just recently - will that work with the scales/sensors from SIEG? I’d prefer to work with a licensed/supported recent version unit than a pirated clone.

 

[ycroosh]

I actually bought an iGaging TouchDRO adapter directly from you just recently - will that work with the scales/sensors from SIEG? I’d prefer to work with a licensed/supported recent version unit than a pirated clone.

Bret,
1. Thank you
2. They can, but it will take some extra parts. Take look at this page: https://www.touchdro.com/resources/adapters/32-bit/using-quadrature-encoders.html

iGaging adapter is not optimized for quadrature scales, but it's still about 100x more capable (plus you get tachometer and touch probe support. The only real downside is slower start time (2 seconds vs. milliseconds), but that shouldn't be too noticeable.

Regards
Yuriy