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Planer conversion

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Planer conversion
Dr Stan Offline
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#1
07-28-2017, 10:36 PM
Assuming I go through with my planer conversion I'll be needing a 9ft long linear scale for a DRO.

Any suggestions as to a supplier?

I believe they should be available as the scales are cut to length after manufacturing.
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Vinny Online
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EdK (07-29-2017)
#2
07-29-2017, 09:44 AM
Make your own. A high res rotary encoder, an arduino and a display. I'll leave the mechanical fitting up to you.
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Dr Stan Offline
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#3
07-29-2017, 10:02 AM
(07-29-2017, 09:44 AM)Vinny Wrote: Make your own.  A high res rotary encoder, an arduino and a display.  I'll leave the mechanical fitting up to you.

I'd completely forgotten about them as its been a long time since I used a machine fitted out that way.  Just need to pay attention to the backlash.

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#4
07-29-2017, 11:12 AM
I have a Shooting Star DRO on the mill. Bought it before all the Chinese ones were out there. It uses a rack and rotary encoder. Has never missed a beat in 14 or 15 years.
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awemawson Offline
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#5
07-29-2017, 02:13 PM
My Bridgeport has DRO's that are a fine stainless steel cord wrapped around a drum connected to an encoder disc. The wire is tensioned by a spring, and wiped by a rubber wiper as it enters the drum enclosure. Been working faultlessly for 15 years now. These are the things:

http://bwelectronics.co.uk/modular-dros/...-displays/

No real theoretic limit to the length
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Dr Stan Offline
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#6
07-30-2017, 11:27 PM
I'm referring back to the days of NC machines which used Acme feed screws.   One old Lucas boring mill I ran used pins as the scale.  If you did not pay attention to which direction you moved you'd have at least .010" of backlash.  Learned that the hard way.
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