Surface Grinder DRO.

[LexD]

I am in the process of fitting a 3 axis DRO to my old surface grinder to make it more user friendly. I use it for small tool and cutter grinding as well as general surface grinding and this should make it easier to use. The pictures below show the fitting of a Sino slim line 1um scale with 270mm of travel to the Y axis. This scale turned out to be just a bit too long and I had to resort to cutting it to reduce the length by 10mm.

I will also fit a 5um glass scale to the Z axis and, due to lack of space, a 5um magnetic scale to the x axis under the table.

[Pete O]

Nice work, I've been thinking for ages that a DRO would be nice on the SG, although I had only planned to install a single axis.

[nigelpearson]

Interesting.

(fitting a DRO, not cutting the scale)


Are you also going to fit stops or clamps to the table?
...because that is the only way I can think having an X/longitudinal scale would be useful

[LexD]

Picture of 5um scale fitted to Z axis under the table on the left side of the machine.

Robot 7.jpg

[LexD]

I ground a couple of 4 flute countersinks today and the DRO really made the process a lot easier, the x axis scale would have also helped but that will have to wait until I have the time to fit it on the underside of the table.

Countersink 1.jpg

Countersink 2.jpg

Countersink 3.jpg

[LexD]

This is the 5um magnetic linear sensor that I will be mounting under the table of the grinder for the X axis readout, the magnetic strip and it's stainless steel cover strip will be adhered to the flat side of the rack.

DRO.jpg

[kafie1980]

[COLOR=#252C2F][FONT=Helvetica]the magnetic strip and it's stainless steel cover strip will be adhered to the flat side of the rack.

I mounted my magnetic strip (+ ss cover strip) previously to the underside of my mill bed for the X axis scale and I really struggled after a while with the adhesive coming apart after a few months.

The ends were just a pain to manage and it would start lifting.

My best guess is that cutting oil softens the adhesive.

[LexD]

Yes I had a feeling that there could be issues with the double side mounting tape, especially at the ends, so I left the stainless steel strip longer than the magnetic strip by about 15mm at each end where I will secure it with 2.5 or 3mm countersunk screws, hopefully that will hold it down.

There will be virtually no oil to worry about in the area I will be putting it.

[BaronJ]

Hi Lex,

On my mill the covers came loose as Kafie described. I've since tried putting new tape on without success. I did try a drop of super glue but it just melted the tape.

[LexD]

I agree John, the adhesive tape will be the weak point in this instalation but I am hoping I can overcome that with thorough preparation and application of a bit pressure with g clamps for a few hours and then fitting the cover strip with screws at each end. As I said, there will be no oil in this area.