RF-25
Mill DRO Z-axis Scale
Last updated on
Tuesday, September 19, 2023 03:57:18 PM
Mountain US Time Zone
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Scales,
Brackets,
Scale,
Cable Routing,
Analog Readout
Scales
Six-inch hardened SS
scale (manual) with SPC
output & M3-0.5 threads.
Trimmed some of the scale
off the top off using a cutoff wheel,
followed by a
carbide end mill &
then
diamond wheel grinding.
Radiused the two top corners as they
are close to the ON/OFF switch.
Brackets
Z-axis, 1/8" thick,
scale-mounting plate.
The four mounting hole locations were accurately
determined using 1/4-20 transfer screws.
This bracket configuration allowed me to retain
use of the speed-settings plate. An earlier
version used a 1/16" plate, but was
too thin.
Scale
This vertical-style scale has a good SPC plug receptacle.
This type scale was used for the
9x20 lathe scales.
Not as easy to solder on wires, though, if that is the
route one is taking.
All cable plugs are
held in place with
a spot of hot glue. Soldered
a 100-mF10v tantalum
capacitor across the battery leads of
the scale.
The mill's depth-stop function is retained.
Detail of the two, lower brackets.
Installed rubber washers on
all scale
mounts to
allow floating which
reduces strain on the transducers.
The RF-25 mill's free-floating Z-axis design
works
so well that now all of my mill & lathe scales
are attached at only one end while the other end
remains captured but loosened
to allow floating.
This approach greatly reduces minor out of
alignment induced stress on the
transducer. This
design also helps to reduce DRO jitter as does a clean,
deburred transducer
with NR capacitors.
Radiused the top scale corners by grinding with a diamond
wheel.
The scale top end is free floating. Also, the
zero of the printed in/mm
scale is aligned
with the bottom
edge of the transducer when the quill is fully retracted.
This scale is not a modified digital caliper but a purpose-built
vertical scale.
A similar installation was used on the
floor drill press
Z-axis DRO.
Cable Routing
Cable runs up into the belt guard housing.
Button-head bolts look
nice.
The black cable is for the Z-axis scale &
the gray cable is for the
tachometer.
The cables are fastened down about every
three-inches along inside right side
corner of the belt housing,
then exits behind the DRO's arm mount.
The flat sides
of all but two cable tie-downs, are set against the housing
inside corner so
as to not turn
under extended
vibration. The arm's base is a
triangular bracket
that is mounted under two of the motor hold-down bolts.
The arm is made out of
1010 (1" x 1")
80/20 extruded aluminum.
I ran the cables
inside the arm's back-side channel & then snapped in
black
plastic 80/20 inserts.
In retrospect, 1515
(1-1/2"
x 1-1/2") extrusions would have been a little stiffer.
I like to use a
Unibit
to make
accurate, clean holes
in thin materials.
I have since
removed the quill
levers.
Analog Readout
Analog readout for the mill/drill.
Two-inch travel range, indicator dial.
Use with the extended quill by loosening
black thumb screw, sliding down & relocking.
A very low-cost option that gives excellent depth control.
Scales,
Brackets,
Scale,
Cable Routing,
Analog Readout
