Cheap Idea for a DRO

[BillTodd]

I installed it and had to go and find/install the required inpout32.dll.

Ah Sorry, I must have missed theat out of the installer script. (the inpout.dll is only required to handle the touch switch input on my panel-pc)

The version I installed as far as I could work out could only open two scales (X and Y). Is that a limitation or me being stupid?

No not your fault :) I added the 'demo' option while testing the ADJ function, so I've only added X&Y to the menu. It will happily display four (or more) scales.

Each PIC has the same code, on power up each one detects the status of its pin5, then assigns itself as X,Y,Z or W. When the PIC detects a scale it informs the VB app, which then adds a display panel)

One question I have is whether there is a practical maximum cable length between the reader and the PIC board.

I use 1.5-2m screened cables (soldered to the scale). It would be wise to route them away from strong noise sources.


[edit] found a 600mm scale on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mill-Lathe-Hor...item439ddc49a7