Subject: Where did this DRO go?

From: [email-masked] (Edward Haas)
Date: 21 May 1996 07:55:18 -0700

Maybe a year or two back, maybe in Model Engineer's Workshop, 
there was an announcement of a very neat DRO that used a braided steel 
cable and a reel, rather than an etched glass scale. The idea was that it 
could fit in some tight places and it could also be moved to another 
machine (relatively) quickly. I would like a name, an address and any 
comments from users, if possible.
	TIA,
-- 
	"Steamboat Ed" Haas	:	What would happen if.....
	COMING SOON		:	Superman farted??
	http://www.west.net/~steamer  	
		---Decks a-wash in a sea of words---

---

From: [email-masked] (Ron Ginger)
Date: Wed, 22 May 1996 17:22:34 LOCAL

In article <[email-masked]> [email-masked] (Edward Haas) writes:
>From: [email-masked] (Edward Haas)
>Subject: Where did this DRO go?
>Date: 21 May 1996 07:55:18 -0700

>comments from users, if possible.

There was a vendor at this years Model Enigneer show in London showing a 
system like this. They had just a demo device setup at the show and were 
taking orders. Our group looked at it and we concluded we didint like it, to 
many ways the cable can sag or stretch or ride over a chip and distort the 
readings. But better than schemes tha rely on encoders on the lead screws.

At this years NAMES show a new vendor was showing a DRO, based on an 
accurately machined rack and pinion. He pointed out it was just like a dial 
caliper. We all know how nice it is when you get a little chip in the rack of 
your dial. He did have an actractive package, a reasonable price, and the 
electronics semed OK. He was also showing a demo model and taking orders, to 
ship 'real soon now'. He has started advertising in HSM and Projects in Metal. 
I dont recall the company name, but he uses a cartoon caracter with big eyes 
looking at dials and DROs.

I am still looking for the 'right' DRO for home shop use. I would not accept 
any scheme based onlead screw encoding- they cant account for table backlash 
and movement. I dont like cables and drums - to many stretch, sag problems.

I really want a nice glass scale for about $250. Dont think Ill get it.

Ron Ginger
my signature is http://www.ultranet.com/~ginger