DIGITAL READOUT (DRO) CHOOSING GUIDE,[ DETAIL EXPLAINED]
What is A digital read out (DRO)?
DIGITAL READOUT is a great measuring tool for manual machinists, which brings accuracy to their machines, so as to improve the accuracy of machining workpieces.
A digital readout (DRO) is a numeric display, usually with an integrated keyboard and some means of numeric representation. Its integral computer reads signals generated by linear encoders, magnetic scales, or (less frequently) rotary encoders installed to track machine axes, using these measures to keep track of and display to a machine operator the workpiece position (e.g., milling machines), or tool position (lathes, grinders, etc) in space.
In machine-shop terminology, the complete Digital Read Out system (consisting of a computer, axis-position encoders, and a numeric display) is referred to by the acronym DRO. Such a system is commonly fitted to machines in today’s shops, especially for metalworking — lathes, cylindrical grinders, milling machines, surface grinders, boring mills, and other machine tools — to allow the operator to work faster and with greater accuracy. The use of DROs is not limited to manually operated machines. CNC machines can usually be switched to manual operation, and in this case, a form of DRO is simulated on its control panel.
DISPLAY TYPE
Several 7-segment displays or an LCD screen on more expensive models display the position of each machine axis. Three-axis systems including the X, Y, Z axes are common on milling machines; those plus U and W are used on highly sophisticated 5-axis vertical machining centers. Lathes or cylindrical grinders typically use just X and Z axes, while a surface grinder may use only a Z-axis.
WHAT A DIGITAL READOUT CAN DO FOR YOU?
DROs have a lot of functionality, providing computation of common operations. The following list was taken from the user manual of a digital readout manufacturer’s product:
Imperial (inch) and metric interchange.
“1/2” function: takes the value of an axis and divides it by two, used to find the center of a workpiece.
Preset dimensions: axis values can be entered directly, used to match measured values.
Absolute or Incremental modes: position of a feature given on a blueprint is given by one of two methods:
Absolute: which means the coordinate is relative to the part’s absolute zero (usually one of its corners or its center).
Relative: meaning the coordinate is referred to some other feature, usually the last one machined.
Bolt holes: drilling or boring of several holes along an arc without using a rotary table.
Inclines: compute a cut or series of holes across an incline or diagonal.
Memory: stores hundreds or thousands of points.
Calculator: a scientific calculator is often included.
And many more …
Where to choose a great digital readout display for your machines?
If you look into our website, you will find we have a very good LCD DRO that we price it friendly, for a 2 axis lathe DRO kit you just need to pay around 169.00$USD, take a look…