I ordered another dro the same style, hope the last one I had was the only dodgy one going.Mine is still alive. Just received a scale from Aliexpress today to go with it. Not installed yet but it's been tested a few times including today.
Can't seem to find the magnetic on there apart from just the read head and a coiled up strip. Do they not come with the backers?Ali express for my last ones (cheapie for lathe). BMR Measurement Solution prior to that
Magnetic sounds like a great idea but do they not collect unwanted swarf?Where are people buying the magnetic scales from?
Despise the layout of those LCD and jazzy dros. Just want something simple really like the Sino ones.I recently bought a 5-axis DRO from Aliexpress which will go on my SEMCO mill. I only really needed 4 axis but the price difference between 4 and 5 was almost nothing so I went for the 5.
13 Language 2 3 4 5 Axis YH800 BIG LCD Dro Digital Readout Systems Display Set Kit for Lathe Mill CNC Machines YH800-3V YH800-4V - AliExpress 1420
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The DRO has got a summing feature built in so it is nice to use that on the quill and knee to get a 'synced' readout for them.
I also bought a magnetic scale for the quill.
High Precision Milling Lathe DRO Magnetic Scale Sensor 5V 0.005mm 5um Encoder Magnet Scale TTL for Lathe Wooden Stone Machines - AliExpress 1420
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I have not yet decided if I want to go glass scales or magnetic scales for the rest of the axis on the mill. The Semco have X and Y Anilam scales currently fitted so I could either re use them on the Chinese DRO or replace with new Chinese glass scales.
I played a little with the DRO (not fitted to the machine yet) and the summing feature appears to work great.
On my Elliott late, I have the 'SINO' DRO.
Lathe Dro 2 Axis Digital Readout | Digital Display Milling Machine - Sds2-3va 3 Axis - Aliexpress
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Again, it works a treat for my purposes. I bought the scales for the SINO DRO from eBay and had to change the pin layout in the scales' plugs for them to work.
On my Elliott TV2 mill, I have the LCD DRO from eBay.
2 3 Axis DRO Digital Readout Display 5μm TTL Linear Scale CNC Mill Lathe Machine | eBay
2/3Axis DRO Digital Readout Display TTL Linear Scale 5μm CNC Mill Lathe Machine Supply Voltage range : AC 80V~260V; 50~60Hzï¼UK Power consumption: 15VA Operating temperature: 0~45 degree centigrade Storage temperature: -30~70 degree centigrade Relative humidity: Less than 90% Readout allowable...www.ebay.co.uk
Also no complaints.
The LCD DROs make some things easier to read/understand with visualization compared to the more traditional DROs. Bolt hole pattern are shown with a graphic, the DRO also shows you on a graphic where you are currently located etc.
I went for 1um scales. Makes for a better readout without odd results from rounding up or down.Despise the layout of those LCD and jazzy dros. Just want something simple really like the Sino ones.
The problem is as i've said before, i've been spoilt with the Acu-Rite LCD dro on the big lathe. It really is an amazing bit of kit that makes the chinese offerings feel like garbage.
I also need 1um X & Y scales.
5um will work for the z axis.
Glass scales for this machine, not going down the magnetic route with this one - plenty of mounting space and accuracy is vital.
I went for 1um scales. Makes for a better readout without odd results from rounding up or down.
I do all the time. But then again I am far slower at getting things done than most people.25.4 microns in a thou and you're doing pretty well if you mill to within a thou.