TouchDRO Build 2022-10-28

[ClintNZ]

The tool library disappearing was a bone headed bug on my part. I changed the way tools work. In V2.5 they were grouped by machine type. In V3 I group them by configuration (so if you have two lathes, you can have two different tool libraries). This means that when you switch configurations, tools from the old config need to be unloaded and new ones loaded. Except I placed loading code where it should be, and unloading code into workspace switching logic (instead of configuration). It should be fixed now (Look for build 2022-10-31).

On a related note: if you have ideas of what else I can add to the Lathe mode, please let me know. I've been adding a lot of stuff to the milling machine mode, but can't think of too many things in lathe mode.
One feature I have in the works is a thread cutting function. Still trying to wrap my brain around the UI, but the idea is that when I need to cut threads, I want to be able to just say "the thread starts here and goes to here. It will be an ID thread with major dimeter of ... and ... TPI". All that stuff is computable (i.e. there are formulas) but I'm not sure how I will dill with thread classes, and how to output/display it. My initial idea is to add a series of sub-datums to the workspace along the lines "ID", "Undercut Start", "Undercut End", "Thread", etc. Let me know if this is a crazy idea, please.

Regards
Yuriy

A thread cutting wizard sounds like a cool idea. While spindle rpm feedback could give extra functions you could do a lot with just entering the pitch that the leadscrew is currently geared for & reading off the Z-axis. Could also have options for either driving the tool straight in on the cross slide & visible on the DRO, or using the compound slide at an angle following prompts from the DRO even if there is no scale on the compound. Extra points if you can make it suggest the optimal DOC / # of passes for a given thread pitch in common materials.

Cheers
Clint

 

[ChazzC]

Unfortunatly even the best manufacturers only really provide updates for about 3 years these days.

I have a 2015 iPad Mini 4, 2016 iPad Pro & 2017 iPad all of which are still fully supported by Apple. I also have 2012 Apple MacBooks that are fully functional even though they are one generation OS behind. And Apple makes their money selling hardware.

The only other hardware I have is a Tab A7 for my TouchDRO.

 

[Hard_ware]

I think a virtual dial indicator would be a first. Imagine having a on screen dial indicator that works on metric or standard threads on any lathe. The pitch of the lead screw won't matter. The angle of the chuck vs the position of the lead screw will be tracked and a virtual dial will indicate the drop in point. You only need the gears to get the ratio of lead screw to chuck setup. No more reversing the chuck to go back to starting point when cutting metric on imperial lead screw or vice versa imperial on a metric lead screw. Setup the gearing and zero your start point and hit the dial mark. Fast manual thread cutting. The spindle encoder will also allow 360 degree tracking to use the chuck as a precision dividing indicator. Have a zero reset to set zero on the spindle for dividing function. Cutting gears, adding timing marks, alignment tabs, etc etc etc all possible with a precision dividing function.

 

[Zertsman]

what is the latest build we can get in the play store? Lates I can find is dated 2016-08-12. My phone is android 11 and my tablet is a new kindle Fire I added the play store too. I can only get this version on both.

 

[Unlogic]

You can join the beta program via the play store and get the newer version 3.x that way. The latest 3.x version was released just a day or two ago.

 

[Zertsman]

Thanks for the help. I'm now a testor. I updated the app and it will not launch. What is the process for gathering results for you?

 

[ycroosh]

Thanks for the help. I'm now a testor. I updated the app and it will not launch. What is the process for gathering results for you?

The bug that caused the crash on upgrade is now fixed (pending google approval for the build). You can either wait for it to become available, or just clear the app data.
Regards
Yuriy

 

[Zertsman]

please ignore my request. my app updated 2 times and am now up and running.