Thread: Bluetooth dial indicator

I've just learned that there is such a thing as a bluetooth dial indicator. Cool and handy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEjnCvoqGZk

Thanks for that Bob. Amazing what is now available in wireless equipment. I'll bet it's not cheap, but probably cheaper than employing someone. Around the $700 US with change
https://www.starrett.com/category/11...&sortBy=wp/asc
Just watched a YouTube where a garage was repossessed in the USA and the bloke did the whole thing on his own. He had something similar to a tracked Dingo that he operated by remote control, manoeuvred through a gateway with about 50mm to spare, while he stood at the front and observed the proceedings.
TRULY AMAZING

I can see how they could be very useful in certain situations (like then one shown in the vid or needing to keep out of the way) but can also see some problems

So I'm working on something and have dirty hands (or gloves) and I need to use a dial indicator - the last thing I would want to do is pull out my mobile phone to do the measurement. For a start the finger print recognition will simply not work. Then I don't want my mobile covered with dirt and oil etc. so I would have to stop remove gloves or wash my hands first - advantage lost.

I have a WIFI air flow sensor probe that uses a mobile App to read the data. The idea is you climb a ladder drill a hole in overhead ducting, poke the sensor into a hole, and go back down to ground level and take readings. However, this ends up being negated because I need to be able to insert the sensor and take readings over a range of radii. This means either repeatedly climbing up and down the ladder to take readings, OR standing on a ladder trying operating a mobile (where the chances of dropping the mobile are high). When using an analog meter I usually take up a small note book with me and with the notebook on a rung I write down the numbers - if I drop the notebook no problem. I eventually got around this by fitting a lanyard to the mobile but I still don't like using the mobile on a ladder, The app has the major advantage of storing the data and when I finish I can easily transfer the data to my laptop for processing.

Also use a mobile App a fair bit for noise (SPL) and vibrations measurements. For SPL measurements I put the mobile in a tripod cradle so that its held firmly and can be located sort of out of the way. For vibration measurements the Mobile or tablet has to be in contact with the vibrating object which is tricky. If I cannot locate the mobile or tablet securely I have to be ready to catch the mobile/tablet

RE: WIFI operated machinery
The tree lopper has a remote operated tree stump grinder. It fits through narrow garden gates and allows the operator to stand well out of the way - also very cool.

They are pretty cool and really shouldn't be as expensive as they are, I'm pretty sure its due to patents and licensing the design.

Originally Posted by snapatap

They are pretty cool and really shouldn't be as expensive as they are, I'm pretty sure its due to patents and licensing the design.

Just wait for the Chinese to reverse engineer it, it'll be a quarter of the price and its usefulness.

Originally Posted by snapatap

They are pretty cool and really shouldn't be as expensive as they are, I'm pretty sure its due to patents and licensing the design.

There shouldn't be any patents involved. It's a digital indicator (existing technology) with a data out port (also existing) that sends the data over Bluetooth instead of a cable. Nothing new has been invented, they've just taken things that exist and put them together. I'd wager that any half decent nerd could cobble together a Raspberry Pi or Arduino that does the same thing.

Originally Posted by KBs PensNmore

Just wait for the Chinese to reverse engineer it, it'll be a quarter of the price and its usefulness.

They're way ahead of you
https://au.banggood.com/0-12_7-or-25...p-1742016.html
https://au.directnine.com/products/w...00005-accuracy

You could probably interface a cheap chinese digital dial indicator with TouchDRO

https://www.yuriystoys.com/?m=1

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One thing I have done in the past with levels* and may work in some settings with a DTI or dial gauge(though unlikely the bottom of a deep bore) is a cheap wifi camera, I can read it from anywhere,,, in the world.
There are also wireless DTI's about.

*The most useful thing I think is leveling something single handed when you have to crawl on the floor around the back to make adjustment but the level is around the front on the bed.

The bluetooth indicator would be handy in certain situations. I just did a quick google and here's two different ones here in Australia https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/282779155757 and https://www.aimsindustrial.com.au/ma...tooth-12.7mm-r . I'd be prepared to buy to the Aims industrial one if I needed one.

Tridon market the Toledo flavoured version, no idea of pricing

https://www.tridon.com.au/products/T...tooth-wireless

Originally Posted by Com_VC

You could probably interface a cheap chinese digital dial indicator with TouchDRO

https://www.yuriystoys.com/?m=1

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I am not so sure about Yuri these days as some of the problems he raises about Igaging DRO's were solved a few years ago. I have experienced what he is talking about but but the basic problem has been totally resolved.