DRO Problem-EL 400

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Robert
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I am having a problem setting a machine reference on my DRO. I would like to have a permanent reference on the corner of my vice. It seems to set correctly when I follow the instructions in the manual. When I turn off the DRO and move the table, it loses the permanent reference. The manual clearly states that this should not happen.
Is this user error or a DRO problem?
 

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  • El400 Machine Reference.pdf
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That procedure is convoluted and requires a bunch of table movement. I'll stick with my electronic edge finder for setting X0, Y0.
 
You need a corresponding scale/reder that is absolute type, standard scales do not have the ability to keep an absolute position reference when shut off.
 
"7.7. Setting of reference
This function allows user to set a machine zero point. With this
machine zero point users can restore the work coordinates even if
the machine is moved when the DRO is in OFF condition."

So this is wrong? I assumed it would store the position relative to an absolute reference on the scale which could be picked up later? There is a datum at the mid-point of each scale.
One thing that occurred to me is to find the coordinates of the vise relative to the datum points and write it down. Then I could pick up the scale datum and move the table to the appropriate location. This is how I move from the vise to the center of the rotab when both are on the table.
 
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If the DRO loses the reference after turning it off, it might be a unit issue. Check the battery or power supply, as a weak battery can cause glitches.
 
I have an older version (2012) of the EL-400 on my Bridgeport. I often set the 0 point at either the edge of the vice or the end of the part in the vice. The 0 point will remain in the same position when the power is removed and returned.

In my case I don't shut off the display itself when I leave the machine, but rather the circuit breaker that powers both the machine and the DRO.
 
Why don't you just set your dials to zero and then zero the table out and reset your DRO when starting up.
 
Does this DRO have a battery backup? Could the battery have been shaken loose in transit? Or the battery is weak or old?

I rolled my own DRO on my lathe. There's no battery backup at all. So I rezero at startup. I thought about implementing a backup and decided it wasn't worth the effort, since it's really tough to test exhaustively. Lots of conditions to test (from past experience) and often there's precious few breadcrumbs left behind. Tough to get bullet proof. So I don't have battery backup on my homebrew DRO.
 
There is no battery in the Electronica DRO's. If you turn off the DRO, then leave the dials in a fixed position, say 0, 0. If you power it up it will read what it last had on the display at power off. If you move the axis wheels, then you will loose the position. Some higher end scales are absolute. The default scales are incremental.

"Magnetic Scales - Coolant and dust proof, they can't be contaminated. Can be cut to length. Available in "Incremental" or "Absolute" style scales. Absolute scales are the best, because they never lose position, even if power is lost or the machine is moved with the power to the display turned off."
 
I don’t recall having a choice of scales when I bought my EL 400. At that time Absolute scales must have been standard in that they never lose position
 
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