How has been your experience with DROPros?

[Harry Knutz]

I know a couple years ago DRO Pros didn't seem to offer magnetic scales individually, that's what lead me to M-DRO.

I have had the system I bought from Dro-Pros for around 9 years, It came with a glass scale for the carriage travel and an Electronica Magnetic scale for the cross slide, The display it came with is a Easson. The electronica scale has about a 6 inch long adapter that came with it so it would interface with the Easson display.

Customer support was good, I actually had ordered and tried to install both axis with glass scales but the glass scale wasn't going to work on my cross slide, So they had me pay some extra money and sent me the magnetic cut to fit scale and read head "Electronica" and then send back the glass scale.

The scales and display have been trouble free except for one time I got some debris behind the read head for the magnetic scale and it started going wonky, After I took it off and cleaned it, Everything has been good.

But knowing what I know now, I would probably go with the cheaper systems out there.

 

[mksj]

I purchased my 4 axis EL-700 with 4 magnetic scales from DRO Pros about 8 years ago, no issues, and the scales work well on my mill. At the time I was able to reach them by phone, but a lot has changed through the years. On individual scales, in particular the EL magnetic ones I have been recommending buying them from either SRA which is in the US or Machine DRO in the UK. They both also sell Easson glass scales which I have found to be quite good.

With favorable exchange rate with the $ to UK pound (as well as no VAT id shipped to the US), and very reasonable air freight UK Machine DRO seems to less expensive either for individual magnetic scales and complete DRO systems. UK Machine DRO is also very good at email response, if say you need a particular size scale and reader head resolution (they will customize the scale lengths and readers). The magnetic tape is the same for the different resolutions, the difference is the reader head resolution. DRO Pros has the larger electronica magnetic scales and a bit better accessories that go with their scales/kits. I also purchased a previous magnetic scale from SRA, the same that is carried by UK Machine DRO, scale tracks accurately over its range. That also holds for my other magnetic scales from DRO Pros.

Machine DRO | Digital Readout Systems | Encoders | Calipers | CNC - Machine DRO UK

Suppliers of DRO equipment for machine tools and woodworking machinery. This includes M-DRO, Easson, Newall, Acu-rite and Wixey.

www.machine-dro.co.uk

M-DRO - Magnetic Encoders - Machine DRO UK

Our full range of M-DRO Magnetic Encoders

www.machine-dro.co.uk

Digital Readout Systems | M-DRO | Magnetic | Linear | Extension Cable

We have an extensive variety of digital readout display consoles. These range from entry level systems to the latest generation of LCD display systems.

www.sra-shops.com

 

[borges1]

Id like to know whats up with them selling just the scales too. im about to get a DRO (yours Yurily) and was probably going to get the scales from DRO pros, but if they are making that hard ill change course.

 

[BWS Arms]

I have had nothing but great experiences with DRO pros. I have never tried to purchase just the scales so I cant help with that.

 

[Alan]

my exchange with them in January was positive and they were responsive to my emails I didn't end up purchasing though.

 

[Janderso]

I have the DRO-PROS EL 402-M series with magnetic scales (on my big Sharp mill). I guess the "M" in the model designation?
Anyway, I found a damaged during shipping? scale which needed replacement.
I called them, paid the money -not cheap! and had it in a couple days.
Great products and support IMHO

 

[jlficken]

I'm very interested in the TouchDRO, however, I'm really wanting the EMS scales. Unless I can manage to find them sold individually somewhere I'm guessing I'll just wind up going with the PM system though as I don't see myself buying a kit but then discarding the head unit.

I didn't think it'd be so hard to find the scales sold by themselves.

 

[WobblyHand]

I'm very interested in the TouchDRO, however, I'm really wanting the EMS scales. Unless I can manage to find them sold individually somewhere I'm guessing I'll just wind up going with the PM system though as I don't see myself buying a kit but then discarding the head unit.

I didn't think it'd be so hard to find the scales sold by themselves.

Ditron scales are fine. They cut to order, and you can order straight from the factory, bypassing all the middlemen. I have 1um Ditron glass scales. They send an installation guide with them, which is not the case for other "fly by night operators" that you may find on AliExpress.

 

[ycroosh]

Ditron scales are fine. They cut to order, and you can order straight from the factory, bypassing all the middlemen. I have 1um Ditron glass scales. They send an installation guide with them, which is not the case for other "fly by night operators" that you may find on AliExpress.

Ditron glass scales are excellent. EMS magnetic scales are good, full size Ditron magnetic scales are at best passable, Ditron mini magnetic scales are hot garbage.

 

[ycroosh]

Just got off the phone with DRO Pros. I was able to order the scale and it's coming next week.
I also chatted with the guy about their ability and willingness to sell individual scales. Right now they have the scales in stock; over the last 5-8 months they had really low stock of individual scales. They don't normally order individual scales - they prefer to specialize in selling complete kits. The only reason they even have individual scales is because some people upgrade their kits. For the foreseeable future, they have scales for sale.
That said, I asked him point blank if I should keep sending TouchDRO customers to them to get scales. He didn't say "yes, stop", but he also didn't give me a "yes, we'd be happy to sell them the scales".

To that end, I ordered three more Ditron full size 1um scales, and some good magnetic tape from RLS with 2mm pole-to-pole distance. The price works out to be the same as an EMS scale ($256 vs. $245 for Ditron + RLS tape). Once they are here, I will do some testing to see if the tape is the culprit in Ditron's cyclic error. I'll report the results once I have them.

Regards
Yuriy