Easson 12B DRO Problem

[Kamloopsendo]

I finally started to play with my PM 1340GT which has Mark Jacob's very slick control system installed and came with a PM installed Easson 12B DRO.

I've got the X axis set as the cross slide and the Z axis parallel to the spindle or bed.

The Z axis is dead on I've measured the travel with a dial indicator (Not with gauge blocks which I don't currently have) and it is accurate, the X axis on the other hand reads out Exactly 5 times the actual travel. I double checked the travel of the cross slide with a dial gauge and for ever thou I dial in the bloody X axis changes by 5 thou. On top of this I can't seem to get the R/D funtion to work. The x axis indication is the same 5 times cross slide travel whether I've pushed the R/D button or not. There is no indication of which function (Radius or Diameter) is selected either

So it would appear to me that I have to go thru a parameter reset which looks to be a bit of a pain to go thru and wanted some input before I took this step in case I'm missing something obvious (I am an absolute newby here).

Thanks as always for the input, it is appreciated.

 

[Alan H.]

It's a setup issue. You have the scale input resolution set improperly. Change that on the X and you should be good to go. As I remember you scroll through them and it shouldn't be that big of a deal but its been a while since I went through the setup.

 

[mksj]

The resolution on the scale needs to be set to 1 micron, by default they are 5 micron so you will get 5X the actual travel. Make sure the DRO is setup in the lathe function mode, the default is mill. At least on mine which is the older Easson 12, the R/D only works on the X axis in the lathe setting. I would check your manual, it may be that the R/D is specific to a different axis input.

 

[Kamloopsendo]

Alan & Mark; Thanks for the input, I've gone thru two different set up menu's and reset to "lathe" function, and to the 1 micron. The R/D function now does show up on the screen which it did not before. The unfortunate part is now I when I turn it on I have a screen showing X & Y axis (which in itself is interesting as I thought the spindle axis was to be labled the "Z" axis - not the "Y" axis) with no numbers present simply dashes where the numbers go and those dashes don't change when the carriage is moved.
I went thru the "Parameters Set up Procedure" first and it was at the end of that procedure that I ended up with the dashes on my screen with no numbers. I have gone back thru that and set everything as I believe it was before I started. I then went onto the "Parameter Setup" which is where I found the lathe/grinder/mill etc option and the options you mentioned concerning 1 vs 5 micron.
I have no idea what the serial numbers are for the sensers and in that first "Parameters Set Up Procedure" there is a spot for them which did appear to be blank so I've no idea if this is part of the issue.

The paper manual I got with the lathe is a VERY abbreviated version of the manual I found on line for the unit and the online manual is the one I"ve used to try and set this thing up correctly. I suspect the issue is simple and that the things you guys suggested have likely cured the problem. I just not sure which button I pushed that has placed my DRO into a funk such that it won't display any actual numbers.

If you've thoughts - let me know, if not I'm sure I'll work it out somehow or other - there are only so many options for the settings!
Alex

 

[Kamloopsendo]

And one other note, there are only 3 dashes for numbers (if they ever do show up again!!) making me nervous about what I've done. Time will tell I suppose

 

[Bob Korves]

The Z axis is the one toward and away from the spindle along the spindle center line. The X axis is moving the cross slide in and out. The Y axis on a lathe would be something like a milling attachment. If the wrong scale is corresponding to an axis on the readout, then plug the scales in to the display unit where they need to be to fix it.

 

[Alan H.]

On the Easson 12B the x and the y are the coordinates on a lathe setup. X is cross and Y is the long axis. Here's mine, front and rear shot. Are you cables hooked up like this? As Mark already said, make sure you are choosing the "lathe" option in the setup.






So without looking over your shoulder, I am not sure about what is going on with your setup issues. But keep after it and you'll figure it out! Maybe the attached manual will help you a bit. It has much more than the paper copies I received and has a good lathe supplement. I have two of these DRO's. This one on my lathe and another just like it on my mill.

 

[mksj]

The default two scale lathe function is setup as X and Y, no Z. You can try to set it to 3 axis in the lathe program and you should get two Z axis Z0 and Z1 and just use the Z0. If you add a slim line scale to the tool post slide you can get summation. Not sure, but I mine I just run it as X and Y and you quickly adapt to this.

 

[Kamloopsendo]

This is my screen the cords are plugged into the upper two connections and this is what is displayed. Lathe mode has been selected and the X axis will show two modes (radius and diameter) so that should confirm correct selection of lathe mode. I'm going to play with it tonight to again when I get home from work so wish me luck figuring out the setting I have wrong.
Thanks again for help guys.
Alex

 

[Bob Korves]

On the Easson 12B the x and the y are the coordinates on a lathe setup. X is cross and Y is the long axis.

The default two scale lathe function is setup as X and Y, no Z.

DRO makers can call axes whatever they want, and so can both of you and anyone else, but that nomenclature goes against long standing designation of lathe axes.
https://www.bing.com/images/search?...E76E5B9D50D5F5CAB2EF532908FA5A081&FORM=IQFRBA
"Useful communication is the goal", which on things like machine axes and live and dead centers have become hopelessly confused by newcomers who change the rules to suit their whims. Just saying, I am certainly not in charge of any of this, just trying to follow along and having poor results.