TDS Linear Scale JCXS - eXtra Slim Scale - Dimension drawing XS5, XS1, S5, S1

For those very tight space mounting location, it is good to know that we do have the eXtra Slim Scale model.

Model : JCXS5 and JCXS1, the number indicate resolution of 5 um or 1um.

BLOG - 2539- mTech DRO 3i , 170, 270, 320 on LittleMachineShop Milling machine -- Jamie Cruz (USA)

Thanks James from USA (NJ) for sharing with us his mTech TDS 3i on his LittleMachineShop Milling machine.

Jamie Cruz :
" very fun project!!!  Many thanks great product price shipping and customer service.  I will be buying from you again!!!! "

 ”I had to get creative there were some holes already drilled and tapped in the mill already so I just used those.  Its a little ghetto but I made my own brackets it works dam accurate and the little blue gauge slide easy in and out!”

“ maybe I need to focus more on exactly one turn.  I am happy!!!  Z axis I tried to do .005 thousands on the fine feed and look what came up.

“I did a test to see how it lines up with the handwheels  of 1 turn is 62.5 thousands of an inch”

Thanks for sharing your photo , Cheers

2550-Lathe machine DRO 2L, F5-170 and E5-620 - from Hans-Peter - Switzerland

Thanks to Hans-Peter from Switzerland for the generous photos.

This is a  Lathe Machine.

It is using :

mTech DRO 2L with scales travel – 170mm and 620mm

 From Hans-Peter: 

I received the rulers on Friday, this gave me time for installation and adjustment.

Today, I received the display-unit.

Installed and working perfect.

Remark:

It is very good, that you inform on exact dimensions in e-bay. Due to this, I felt very confident to place a purchase order with you. Especially on the X-Axis, I only had 2mm on top and 2mm on bottom clearance. Also the combination and selection possibility of ruler-lengths and display units is just great. A very good homepage-setup you have.

The aluminium brackets were too large in hole distances (maybe for a bigger size ruler, the shims as well). No problem because I had to make special brackets anyway and I’m well equipped to do so (machines and material).

I’m very pleased with your service and communication. The instructions are well done.

Thanks and I wish you great success in doing further business.

Best regards

Hans-Peter

BLOG - mTECH-3i on Cougar Milling Machine -- Peter Browne (Australia)

Thanks Peter from Australia for sharing with his mTech 3i on his Cougar Mill/Drill
He is using scale travel "220mm, 370mm and 420mm)
Below is the complete write-up by Peter:
INSTALLATION OF THE TECH-3i DRO ON MY COUGAR MILL/DRILL

This Chinese machine is is built to the popular ZX7550C pattern. It was built in around 2003.

I obtained it several years ago, from a manufacturer in Sydney who never used it, before winding up the business. 

My first task was to bring the machine into the workshop from it's storage in the garage.

The X-axis position provided good machined surfaces and access.

The placement of the scale and it's cover restricts Y-axis travel by about 60mm,

so that a new stop was later fitted. All that was required to get final alignment was a shim behind the reader.

The Y-axis field left something to be desired. (See below.) 

Firstly, the surfaces are painted with thick, uneven enamel.

Secondly, the area is barely wide enough to accommodate the scale, so the cover cannot be used.

For the scale I scraped all the paint off the surface, and mounted the scale as low as possible to

give me a narrow lip above for some protection to be devised in the future. 

After some shims to correct alignment the the scale sits very nicely.

The reader was mounted using some of the machined aluminium plates provided in the excellent kit from TheDroStore.com.

To the right of the scale you may be able to see a tapped hole on the mill. I decided to use a piece of aluminium channel  as a shield.

I am machining part of one side out of the channel to accommodate the scale body

and will attach the remaining complete channel side, using the tapped hole indicated.

A similar hole will be drilled to the left of the scale after preliminary fitting.

Throughout the install, there were lubrication ports to be preserved.

I was surprised this did not cause any problems. 

Also I managed to dodge the slide locks on opposite faces of the machine.

Fitting the Z-axis presented the paint problem once again. This time, however, I used a slightly different approach.

By scraping the paint carefully, I managed to obtain a usable surface, and with the help of suitable shims,

the test indicator (seen above) proved that scale alignment was satisfactory.

Once again the aluminium mounting hardware provided proved excellent to carry the Z-axis reader.

A piece of angle, trimmed down, a bit more paint scraping and a shim mounted on the knee and the job is nearing completion.

Covers were fitted to the X and Z-axis scales, with a small plate glued to the top of the Z-axis cover to help

protect it from falling coolant and swarf. (See below.)

 

Installing the readout went smoothly.  Suitable positions were available and a transformer in the pedestal

provides 240v to power the display. The last photo shows the display in use and on the table the

shield for the Y-axis scale partly machined.

This is my very first milling operation. So far so good. No broken cutters, etc.

Considering that I have never attempted anything like this exercise before I am very pleased with the result.

I must say the kit provided, Scott's manuals and his other help have been confidence building and a big part

of completing the task at hand. As many others have commented, there was a surplus of  materials and a choice of  install methods.

Many thanks,

Peter Browne

Australia

mTech DRO 3M on Hafco Metal Master AL250G and HM 46 Mill drill -- Andy (Australia - brisbane)

Thanks Andyfrom Australia (brisbane) for sharing with us his mTech DRO 3M on his Mill, HAFCO METAL-MASTER  AL 250G lathe  HM 46 mill drill
The scales used in his Hafco HM 46 Mill Drill are : JCXE5-520 , 520 and 220

Photos from Andy:-

1) X axis Scale installation

2) Y axis Scale installation

3) Z axis Scale Installation

---------------

Cross slide slide installation on the Hafco Metal-Master AL 250G.

Thanks for sharing your photo , Cheers