Thread: Mounting a DRO

Hi wafarmer,

What sort of DRO do you have (scales)? Are they well shielded, matched to your machine etc, or is there going to be some modifications required?

Essentially it varies depending on the machine, but you want to consider how you can make a stiff and true mounting for the scales (take plenty of time with shims etc to make sure the scales don't flex or bind in any way), and that swarf and coolant aren't going to get into them and cause trouble. Also what will the Z axis be connected to. I presume the knee in this case, but you sometimes see it on the quill.

It also pays to think about how you can keep the scales out of the way, and where you'll run the cables.

Good luck. How do you find the HM52G?

Hi action

It is a Meister BC10 3 axis with glass scales, you measure the length you need and they add a bit, you have to make up your own mountings.
It was purchased off ebay because it was under half the local price and I still had to mount it and make mounts for the local sourcsd one.

Yes I thought it may need very carefull mounting but there are no instructions or guidelines to say how close the tolerences have to be.
I was advised to put the z axis on the knee.

Yes it will be slow and steady and a lot of thinking before drilling any holes.

The machine is a bit crude and loose in the quill area but for the money is ok but I am a amature and don,t know a lot about them.

Thanks for the reply

wafarmer

Hi wafarmer,
I can't specifically help you , but you might be able to find some pics of DRO installations on this Yahoo group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShumaT...guid=217090930
After you join, you can browse the photo section and you might find something that can help you.
I am not familiar with the DRO you have, but it must have some similarities with the Shuma Tech model.
Your a bit isolated up in Kalbarri, so that makes it a bit harder for you!
I hope this helps.

Thanks for the link Sterob I have got the x axis done and nearly got the y axis.

It is hard to find any info on how close the tolerances have to be so i'm trying to work to a couple of thou.

Yep it's a bit hard trying to get bits and pieces you just have to be patient.

Cheer's

wafarmer

Hi,
I can quote you some "numbers" from my Easson instalation manual.
Requirements for the mounting surfaces:
parallelism must be less than 0.1mm runout over the whole travel of the scale.
perpendicular surfaces must be less than 0.1mm runout over the whole travel of the scale.

Scale alignment:
maximum error between the scale and machine slide is 0.1mm vertically and horizontally i.e. the scale must be very carefully aligned to the machine axis to within 0.1mm

Clearance between the reader head and scale body:
the clearance between the reader head and scale body must be kept between 0.8 and 1.5mm and must be parallel to within 0.5mm

Hope this helps,
Karl

Thank you Karl

I have got them within 0.0xx mm so should be ok by the looks of it.

A great site and isn't the web a powerfull thing when used to help.

Thanks again for keeping me on track

Cheer's

Ashley

Hi new to this forum do you have any photos as I have just purchased a bc10m 3axis for my hm52 and a xpos 3 axis for the lathe off ebay


Thanks Dave