Digital Readout Caliper2PC DRO

Caliper2PC DRO is a digital readout for milling machines, lathes and other tooling machines. The hardware facilitates to read out a variety of encoder types according to the resolution needed. The data is sent to a PC via USB or via WiFi and is processed by the Caliper2PC software. Time critical tasks are processed by the hardware, while computing power consuming tasks run on the PC. Due to this concept the Caliper2PC is a very dynamic DRO with numerous diverse features complying with all wishes. The Windows based readout software can be used without a mouse and a keyboard, using a touch-screen. It contains all features for milling machines, lathes and other tooling machines. The Caliper2PC software is freeware and can be downloaded and evaluated here. A "Virtual Interface" was implemented, so that all features can be tested without the hardware.

DRO Caliper2PC Hardware

The Caliper2PC interface is user-friendly connected to the PC via USB (type B) or via WiFi. No external power supply is necessary. Both, the linear scales and the optical sensors of the tachometers are supplied with power by the Caliper2PC DRO. A negative supply voltage is generated to supply linear scales whose battery’s positive pole is connected to the ground (the caliper’s body). All linear encoders supported can be used simultaniously.

Compatible Linear Encoder:

• Inexpensive Chinese digital calipers - Sylvac protocol

• Inexpensive Chinese digital calipers - 7BCD protocol

• Inexpensive Chinese digital calipers - BIN6 protocol (Harbor Freight)

• iGaging DigiMAG linear scales 21BIT protocol

• Glass scales with quadrature (A, B, Z) 5V TTL output

• Mitutoyo Digimatic devices

• Analog devices (strain gauges, pressure sensors, temperature sensors, humidity sensors etc.)

The Caliper2PC hardware possesses six ports to connect up to six linear encoders. In addition, 6 I/O ports are available for connecting home switches, limit switches, edge finder, tool length sensor or foot switches. DRO values can be captured or resetted by switches. Relais for controlling the spindle motor, the light or the coolent pump can be connected. The devices are connected with 8-pole RJ45 patch cables. For monitoring the spindle speed of tooling machines, 2 tachometers are integrated in the Caliper2PC DRO. The optical sensors for the tachometers can be connected by standard 2.5mm stereo jacks.

DRO Caliper2PC Software

The Caliper2PC DRO-Software includes all features of a modern digital readout:

• INC / ABS mode

• mm / inch / ° / degrees, minutes, seconds

• Reverse count direction

• Zero axis at any point

• Set axis value at any point

• Video Edge Finder

• Feed Rate DRO

• Coordinate location mode (while moving the axes towards the target location, the X,Y,Z-DROs run towards zero. The DRO begins to blink to signalize approximating to target coordinates.)

• Diameter mode (for lathes)

• Top slide DRO (with angle input for cones)

• Combining axis (for example adding carriage axis and top slide axis)

• Up to 255 fixtures

• Up to 255 tool offsets

• Line hole function (CAD input mask)

• Bolt hole circle function (useful for example for flanges - CAD input mask)

• Circle center finder (circle center is calculated by 3 circle points)

• Workpiece center finder

• Cone calculator

• Import & export CSV file (exchange coordinates with CAD / CAM systems)

• Import Excellon drill file (holes coordinates for PCBs can be imported from EAGLE)

• Voice output (measured values are spoken by software)

Additional Features:

• Digital Pantograph (Milling parts according to technical drawings)

• Enlarge / downsize axes according to a factor (For Profileprojector)

• Excel interface (capturing values into Excel by foot switch)

• Auto capture (auto capturing values with *.csv output for 3d digitizer)

• Mach3 TCP Modbus server (bi-directional exchanging DRO values with Mach3)

• Output into clipboard

• Output into a text editor (keyboard emulator)

• API exchanging data with your own VB or C# program (32 and 64 bit)

Orders: The fully assembled and tested Caliper2PC Interface can be ordered at the price of US $210 (world wide shipping costs included) caliper2pc@gmail.com

top

Copyright © Dipl.-Ing. Tomer Lanzman. All rights reserved.