DRO for a Mill

YADRO's DRO is generic. This means it can be used for almost any tool that needs a Digital Read-Out. As the process of writing a configuration file with all of the macros is a bit complicated and complex, a configuration for a mill is included. When looking at the available functions, the reader has to bear in mind, that the functionality can be easily modified, expanded or reduced. Anyhow, here is my solution that evolved during work with the DRO.

Axis Definition:

There are standards for the definition of the axes of a mill. If you are willing to use the supplied macros, you have to adopt to the definition I used here.
But, there is a little problem to be aware of, if you have a mill that can be converted from vertical to horizontal: The axes change completely, except the Z-axis. It seams, that it is best to set up the DRO for the configuration must used and ignore the standard for the other setup.

Anyhow, here is the standard-definition. The arrows are relative to the workpiece:

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Above: Definition of axes for a vertical mill.

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Above: Definition of axes for a horizontal mill.

Standard Functions:

• -X change sign of X-axis
  Changes the sign of the X-axis
• -Y change sign of Y-axis
  See -X
• -Z Change sign of Z-axis
  See -X
• AA Absolute all
  Sets all axes to absolute mode
• AX absolute X
  Sets X-axis to absolute display
• AY absolute Y
  See AX
• AZ absolute Z
  See AX
• C2PXY Center between two points XY-plane (abs/rel)
  Finds the center between 2 points (found with an edge finder). Also can be used for centering on a round if used once on the X-axis and once on the Y-axis
• EF+X Zero w. edge finder X (positive, abs/rel)
  Zeroes the X-axis with an edge-finder. Path is along positive X-axis, diameter of edge finder is normal (from {Configuration}). In rel. mode sets the offset so, that the displayed value is 0 and the absolute value is untouched.
• EF-X Zero w. edge finder X (negative, abs/rel)
  See EF+X, negative direction
• EF+Y Zero w. edge finder Y (positive, abs/rel)
  See EF+X, along Y-axis
• EF-Y Zero w. edge finder Y (negative, abs/rel)
  See EF+Y
• EFs+X…EFs-Y
  Like EF… with small edge finder diameter
• HCXY Hole circle XY-plane (abs/rel)
  Makes a hole circle with evenly distributed points along a circle. Parameters are X-Y-coordinates (current location), diameter of circle, number of holes and angular offset. The angular offset is for rotating the points around the center.
• OX Offset X by a value (abs/rel)
  Adds a given value to the display. Either to the absolute or the relative value.
• OY Offset Y by a value (abs/rel)
  See OX
• OZ Offset Z by a value (abs/rel)
  See OX
• Prec+1 Increase precision
  Increases the displayed precision. In inch, 4 digits behind the DP. In mm, 3 digits behind DP.
• PrecN normal precision
  Sets back the precision to the normal value. 2 digits in mm, 3 in inch
• PS Point sequence along 3D-vector
  By giving an X, Y and Z- incremental value every next coordinate is displayed and waited for a <Return>. Two or one value can be zero to get a vector in one of the planes or to have a vector along one of the axes. For milling/drilling stair-like patterns or a row of rivet holes. The macro tolerates positioning errors.
• PX Preset X (abs/rel)
  Sets the display to a given value. In rel. mode, the offset is adjusted so, that the given value is displayed.
• PY Preset Y (abs/rel)
  See PX
• PZ Preset Z (abs/rel)
  See PX
• RA relative all
  Sets all axes to relative mode
• RX relative X
  Sets X-axis to relative mode
• RY relative Y
  See RX
• RZ relative Z
  See RX
• SM Switch metric
  Switches to metric (mm) display
• SI Switch inch
  Switches to inch display
• ZA Zero all (abs/rel)
  Zeros all axes. In rel. mode, the offset is changed, so that 0 is displayed and the absolute value is untouched
• ZX Zero X (abs/rel)
  Zeros X-axis. See ZA
• ZY Zero Y (abs/rel)
  See ZX
• ZZ Zero Z (abs/rel)
  See ZX
• {Configuration} Configure edge finder diam.; AVG-threshold; tool geometry snap (metric/inch)
  Edits the following values
  • Diameter of edge finder normal and small
  • AVG-buffer threshold metric/inch
  • tool geometry snap metric/inch

Tool related Functions:

• #- Switch off tool geometry
  Switches off the selected tool (##00 etc.) and switches off the automatic tool correction
• #E Edit active tool
  Edits the active tool. Parameters are: Tool radius and Z-offset
• #00…#10
  Select tool. The list is currently 11 entries long, but can be easily extended
• TGC Tool geometry correction
  Asks for the tools diameter, the Z-offset and the snap-value. If the tool is moved twice the snap-distance, the DRO knows on which side (both X and Y- axis) is cutting on and adds/substracts the tool's radius. For milling pockets or outer rectangular contours.
• TG- Switch off tool geometry
  Switches off a TGC-command.

Special Functions:

• CLH Cam Lobe (harmonic)
  Mills a harmonic lobe. The rotary's axis is along the X-axis. Values given are lift, timing angle, base circle radius, tip radius, angular offset and angular resolution (steps). A mathematically correct harmonic lobe (a lobe built out of 3 radii) is calculated. The angular offset is for the angular relation between lobes on a single cam.

Missing Functions:

Should you need more macros or have written your own macro(s) you would like to share, let me hear. I'll be glad to publish them here or have a link to your home page.