TouchDRO Plus is out (plus some loose ends)

[Christianstark]

'w' was the ticket!

TY Sir/Madam.

 

[MidniteMachinist]

You're welcome!

This question has popped up several times... Maybe something to consider for the next release? Instead of "Prefix", something along the lines of "Axis Input", or "Input scale"? And only having X, Y, Z, and W as options (or, only as many options as there are inputs)? To make axis input/summing more intuitive.

 

[dabear3428]

I discontinued iGaging DRO adapter(s), but there are many hobby machines with that come with a capacitive scale on the quill. Many of those have a data port. Similarly, Mitutoyo makes a quill scale with a data port (that is actually very accurate and reliable, as far as I can tell).

The goal for the configurable input support is to let people use a set of glass scales with one capacitive scale. Using TDA-400 or 420 with four iGaging scales is not the intended use case (although the adapter will support it). Based on my back-of-the-napkin calculations, each input adapter will sell for around $50 (if not more), so using TDA-420 with four iGaging scales doesn't make any sense.

unless nothing else fits?

 

[dabear3428]

LOL. "Generative AI" is all the rage these days, so ya never know. That said, ChatGPT is known for "hallucinating" things. Are you sure you will be OK if TouchDRO "has a moment" and instead of making you a tablet holder, hallucinates something like a sex toy ?

BTW, pro tip, never buy ANYTHING from AliExpress stores that sell CNC touch probes and adult toys. When they make a mistake in shipping, the conversation with the wife might end up being awkward. Don't ask me how I know. Sorry if this is too inappropriate, but my wife opened my package from AliExpress accidentally (she orders a lot of her bead stuff from there) ... she is still laughing/sobbing and I feel an urge to wash my hands again...

so that's your story and you are sticking to it? literally even

 

[ChazzC]

unless nothing else fits?

With the size of some of the slim glass scales I can't think of anything (with the possible exception of a Quill) that would currently require the low profile of the iGaging Absolute Plus scales. I "think" that I could fit a glass scale on the cross slide of my 7x16 Mini-Lathe, but if not almost any scale would work using the approach I used for my article in the Jan-Feb issue of Home Shop Machinist:

Won't show the wiring (Yuriy still can't believe it actually works )

 

[dabear3428]

With the size of some of the slim glass scales I can't think of anything (with the possible exception of a Quill) that would currently require the low profile of the iGaging Absolute Plus scales. I "think" that I could fit a glass scale on the cross slide of my 7x16 Mini-Lathe, but if not almost any scale would work using the approach I used for my article in the Jan-Feb issue of Home Shop Machinist:

View attachment 497623

View attachment 497624

Won't show the wiring (Yuriy still can't believe it actually works)

more detail?
and yes the quill is my main issue. the rest i'm working out with slim glass scales.

 

[ChazzC]

more detail?
and yes the quill is my main issue. the rest i'm working out with slim glass scales.

Sorry, details are copyrighted; however, you can purchase an electronic copy (or hardcopy) of the issue:

Yes, I (and the publisher; neither of us know what happened) know that the title is incorrect: it really is about the Mini-Lathe:

I've already received payment for the article: if you buy a copy of the magazine I don't get anything more.

 

[MidniteMachinist]

My mini lathe setup is very similar, with iGaging scales. I'm working on upgrading to all glass scales, and I'm still trying to work out how I'm going to do the cross slide. I've got a scale on my tailstock quill as well, and I haven't figured out how I'm going to adapt that one, either. I might just keep the iGaging scale on that.

 

[ChazzC]

My mini lathe setup is very similar, with iGaging scales. I'm working on upgrading to all glass scales, and I'm still trying to work out how I'm going to do the cross slide. I've got a scale on my tailstock quill as well, and I haven't figured out how I'm going to adapt that one, either. I might just keep the iGaging scale on that.

Take a look at how Stefan added scales to hus Weiler Primus:

 

[MidniteMachinist]

Take a look at how Stefan added scales to hus Weiler Primus:

As usual with the mini lathe, it's a compromise between space, and a desire for features.

Problem is that the scale is too big to be mounted along the side of the cross slide like that. Plus, my carriage lock is in the tailstock side of the "H" shape of the saddle, where the read head would go. I don't want to move the carriage lock back to the chuck-side, as that's a danger to my knuckles (and I don't want to have to stop the lathe every time I engage/disengage the lock). Additionally, If I mounted it like Stefan does, the fact that the scale will protrude above the cross slide will mean I can't use my compound.

I've got my current iGaging scale mounted off the far end of the cross slide, similar to yours, though I did it the opposite way, where the read head is stationary and the scale slides. The read head is mounted to a U-shaped aluminum bracket that's bolted to the far side saddle (opposite the operator), and the scale is attached to the slide. I'm thinking of a similar scheme for the glass scale... Just need to come up with some kind of rigid bracket.