Product category:
Control systems, DROs, etc, for machine tools
News Release from: DigiBall Division of L R Petrie | Subject: C-based digital readout with USB connection
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 29 August 2006
PC-based DRO system has USB connection
A PC-based digital readout with USB connection interfaces compatible ball-type linear encoders to a PC, laptop or notebook - and interfacing to glass-scale linear encoders will follow.
In a world-first, the DigiBall Division of L R Petrie has announced a PC-based digital readout System with a USB connection and user-friendly PC2DRO software This new DigiBall concept radically alters traditional DRO thinking and brings it into the computer age of the 21st century
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 8 Nov 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Free CAD viewer added to PC-based DRO system
The PC2DRO+ software of the DigiBall DRO system now includes a powerful 2-D CAD viewer that also displays axis readings on the same screen to increase operator productivity.
Robust linear encoder added to PC-based DRO system
A new, tough linear encoder that has exceptional IP68 ingress protection is now available for the high-end DigiBall DRO system.
This ground breaking DigiBall product interfaces compatible ball-type linear encoders to a PC, laptop or notebook - and another version is under development for interfacing to glass-scale linear encoders.
Incorporated into the DigiBall DRO is an advanced 4-axis decoder that is designed to accept all compatible encoders - simply by plugging them into the decoder directly using their standard nine-pin connectors.
No complicated wiring, know-how or computer expertise is required.
Further reading
Travelling column VMC has dual-pallet indexing
Vertical machining centre with a travelling column design and integrated rotary dual-pallet indexing system provides higher levels of productivity and output and efficient workpiece loading/unloading.
DROs designed to maximise productivity
Acu-Rite will be demonstrating its family of ergonomically designed digital read outs along with MILLPWR, its two and half axis control system at the EMO show.
DRO trade-in offer extended until June's end
Acu-Rite (GB) has announced an extension to its trade-in offer for used DROs until the end of June, so successful has the promotion been.
The Decoder also has inputs for spindle speed (5V pulse), touch probe and tool recognition (26-bit Wiegand).
These additional inputs are for the advanced features that the future DRO software releases use.
The Decoder performs updates for each individual axis reading 1000 times per second and transmits that positional information in a multiplexed stream directly to the USB port of the PC.
An ordinary USB cable connects the Decoder to any desktop PC or laptop running on either a Microsoft Windows 98, 98SE, ME, 2000 or XP operating system.
For safety and universal worldwide installation, a DigiBall power unit or any other 15-19V DC supply, such as a regulated mains plug-pack, powers the decoder.
PC2DRO is a generic program suitable for use with most machine tools and other equipment.
It is Windows-based, intuitive and very user-friendly.
Almost everyone nowadays, including older machinists, have basic computer skills and anyone who can use the internet, or play a computer game, is likely to quickly master PC2DRO.
A functional demonstration version of PC2DRO is available for free download at the DigiBall website.
In the demo version, simply place the mouse cursor over an axis display and press either the left or right mouse buttons to simulate axis movement.
This demo version of PC2DRO can be easily tried at your office desk, in the workshop - or, why nor ask your machinists to evaluate it for themselves at home on their own PC? Individual axis readings can be instantly changed 'on-the-fly' from millimetres to inches; absolute to incremental; radius to diameter; the axis value transferred to a calculator - mathematically manipulated - and then returned to the display; previously changed axis values undone at any subsequent time; displayed values held for tool changes; and axis resolution altered to suit the machine or the job.
Planned regular updates over the coming weeks, months and years to the PC2DRO software (with downloads from the DigiBall website) will make the DigiBall readout system probably the most powerful and sophisticated DRO ever.
Self-diagnostic routines warn operators immediately if any encoder is missing at start-up, or fails at any later time.
Another in-built routine warns users if there should ever be a Decoder power failure or a USB cable fault.
However, PC2DRO achieves all of this without the need to alter the existing encoders on any lathe, mill or other machine tool.
Simply unplug the encoders from the existing display, plug them into the DigiBall Decoder and then connect the USB cable to the PC.
Finally, discard that small, segmental-type display and replace it with a large, low-cost, computer screen - some precision machinists are even using 19in LCD monitors for clarity and easy visibility.
• DigiBall Division of L R Petrie: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Manufacturingtalk email newsletter
• Manufacturingtalk Home Page
