Product category:
Control systems, DROs, etc, for machine tools
News Release from: Heidenhain (GB) | Subject: ND 780 digital readout (DRO) system
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 24 May 2006
'Gap' between DROs and CNCs is narrowing
Latest digital readout system for milling and turning machines has LCD screen and is available with 2- or 3-axis capability - without any price penalty over the 2-axis model that it supersedes.
With the launch of Heidenhain's latest digital readout (DRO) system, the ND 780, the company is re-affirming its belief that DROs are 'here to stay' Suitable for milling and turning machines, the ND 780 sets new standards in this sector of the digital readout market
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 29 May 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Machining centre probes halve cycle times
Set up times have been cut by half and tool setting optimised following the installation of Heidenhain touch trigger probes and tool setting probes at Cross Manufacturing (1938).
Contouring CNC and encoders speeds EDM
Heidenhain's TNC 416 contouring control system and linear and rotary encoders on a Sparcatron five-axis EDM has eliminated tooling changeover in machining turbine blade bleed holes.
Equipped as standard with an LCD screen and available with 2- or 3-axis capability the unit enters the market at a much higher level of technology without any price penalty over the two axis model that it supersedes.
Milling and turning operations are simplified thanks in part to the screen-driven operation and graphical and text help screens.
Presented on an LCD screen, which is a first for DROs in this range, the conversational programming, positioning readout, dialogue and input displays are easy to read and understand.
Further reading
Heidenhain CNC for Xaar's customised machinery
For a machine that Loadpoint developed for Xaar, designers made use of the Heidenhain TNC 426 control due to its precise positioning capability while enabling the machine to operate at very high speed
Encoders facilitate high speed placement
A new range of linear encoders has been developed by Heidenhain for linear motor and high axis speed applications.
Other features include Distance to Go, which allows rapid positioning; Sum Display, which allows the user to display the saddle and top slides together or separately; position of linear and circular hole patterns; and probing functions.
"DROs are here to stay," confirmed Heidenhain's sales office manager, Stuart Jenkins.
"With over 200 000 manual machines produced on an annual basis the potential market for DROs remains very high.
Many of the manual machines being used today may not be the main money earners but in most companies they still perform a valuable roll and in many instances are 'Production Critical Machines'.
The application of a modern DRO such as the ND 780 significantly improves the flexibility and usability of the machine." Jenkins continued: "So, while the UK market for DROs remains stable and level the investment in developing products such as the ND 780 is fully justified.
And, with payback times measured in weeks UK manufacturing companies can continue to benefit from retrofitting the latest control units to their existing machines." Key features of the ND 780 are as follows.
* LCD flat screen Display as standard.
* Two and three axis capability as standard.
* Up to ten datum points can be stored.
* Up to sixteen tools can be stored.
* Distance to Go display with nominal position input in absolute or incremental values.
* On-screen graphical or text help.
* Cutting data calculator.
* Hole pattern calculator.
* Tool radius compensation.
* Probing function for datum point acquisition/setting with KT Edge Finder.
* RS 232 interface.
* Two inputs (pulse or contact) to measured value output.
* Note - three axis DRO operation requires the addition of a third linear scale to the machine. Request a free brochure from Heidenhain (GB) ...
• Heidenhain (GB): contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Manufacturingtalk email newsletter
• Manufacturingtalk Home Page
