Author Topic: DRO..... PC based  (Read 32561 times)

Offline Darren

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DRO..... PC based
« on: November 23, 2009, 09:57:54 AM »
Is this neat, or junk?

Does anyone understand it?

http://www.msh-tools.com/DRO/overview.html
You will find it a distinct help… if you know and look as if you know what you are doing. (IRS training manual)

Offline slowcoach

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Re: DRO..... PC based
« Reply #1 on: November 23, 2009, 10:09:53 AM »
Hi Darren, Not seen that system before :scratch:. I use the Shumatech Dro on my small mill, It works very well with chinese scales.  http://www.shumatech.com/

Rob :thumbup:

Offline NickG

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Re: DRO..... PC based
« Reply #2 on: November 23, 2009, 10:34:03 AM »
They both look worth looking into! Suppose the only difference is you're getting 1 display which can be put in a convenient place with a bit more functionality through the computer / control box.

Nick
Location: County Durham (North East England)

Offline John Hill

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Re: DRO..... PC based
« Reply #3 on: November 23, 2009, 03:34:29 PM »
Is this neat, or junk?

Neat!

Quote
Does anyone understand it?

Ummm.... welllll...  sort of. :scratch:
I do not know if the scales transmit the position continuously or just when they are moved, if the former then it would really be quite easy but the later would be more of a challenge.


I have thought of doing something like that myself and the only reason why not has been the chronic dearth of tuits. :coffee:

There is a project fermenting in my gray matter to combine a digital scale and a DC motor controlled by DCC (model train) digital controller chips,  need more tuits.
« Last Edit: November 23, 2009, 03:37:25 PM by John Hill »
From the den of The Artful Bodger

Offline slowcoach

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Re: DRO..... PC based
« Reply #4 on: November 23, 2009, 05:08:32 PM »
Thats a bit flash using a iphone as a DRO display  :clap:
I fancy having a play with one of these units http://www.yadro.de/ just need to dig out my old laptop  :zap:

Rob

Offline Noitoen

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Re: DRO..... PC based
« Reply #5 on: December 05, 2009, 08:17:42 AM »
Thats a bit flash using a iphone as a DRO display  :clap:

Not iphone, ipod ::)

Offline slowcoach

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Re: DRO..... PC based
« Reply #6 on: December 05, 2009, 03:38:40 PM »
I stand corrected  ::)

Offline vtsteam

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Re: DRO..... PC based
« Reply #7 on: August 26, 2013, 10:38:33 PM »
Old topic, but I've sent for the Silicon Labs base board and daughter board to do the MSH version in the first post.

Shumatech and Yadro both seem to be unavailable now.

I have several old scales and a few older laptops. Wondering what the oldest version of Windows the display software will run on. Also have an old Android tablet that is rooted, and hacked and can run WinCE -- that one would be ideal, but not sure if the software would run on it.
I love it when a Plan B comes together!
Steve
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sDubB0-REg

Offline sigt

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Re: DRO..... PC based
« Reply #8 on: August 27, 2013, 12:17:30 AM »
Saw this on another site, Android based dro using the igaging scales and an Arduino board.

http://www.yuriystoys.com/p/android-dro.html

Simon

Offline vtsteam

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Re: DRO..... PC based
« Reply #9 on: August 27, 2013, 09:00:44 AM »
I saw that one too, but unfortunately no bluetooth on my older tablet and there is no USB method of connecting the scales using that Android software.

Ideally what I need are the simple hardware I've sent for, which does the caliper scale to USB conversion, and Android display software to present it.
I love it when a Plan B comes together!
Steve
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sDubB0-REg

Offline unc1esteve

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Re: DRO..... PC based
« Reply #10 on: August 27, 2013, 11:08:30 AM »
Is the Ipod only showing the position numerals?

I have added Igaging to my tools,  It only shows the position.  I have three on the mill.

Offline ycroosh

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Re: DRO..... PC based
« Reply #11 on: August 30, 2013, 01:03:33 AM »
I saw that one too, but unfortunately no bluetooth on my older tablet and there is no USB method of connecting the scales using that Android software.

Ideally what I need are the simple hardware I've sent for, which does the caliper scale to USB conversion, and Android display software to present it.

Vtsteam,
The app works with USB (as of the last version). So far I've tested it with various Arduinos and FTDI chip; working on more support...

Thank you
Yuriy

Offline vtsteam

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Re: DRO..... PC based
« Reply #12 on: August 30, 2013, 05:02:45 PM »
Wow!!! Thank you Yurly.  :bow: :thumbup: :clap: :clap: :clap:

 :beer:
I love it when a Plan B comes together!
Steve
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sDubB0-REg

Offline AR1911

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Re: DRO..... PC based
« Reply #13 on: August 30, 2013, 10:16:19 PM »
So far I'm most interested in the Android bluetooth version. Android tablets are dirt cheap if it will run older OS versions.

Offline ycroosh

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Re: DRO..... PC based
« Reply #14 on: August 31, 2013, 01:55:49 AM »
So far I'm most interested in the Android bluetooth version. Android tablets are dirt cheap if it will run older OS versions.

AR1911,
There are two versions of the executable on the Android market. One (older version) runs on 3.x but is missing a LOT of functionality and the new version that runs on 4.x. Supporting 3.x is a big PITA because Google added a lot of tablet-specific stuff in V 4.0.
On the plus side, most cheap tablets are fairly generic and can probably be re-flashed with a custom 4.x ROM...

Thank you
Yuriy

Offline AR1911

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Re: DRO..... PC based
« Reply #15 on: August 31, 2013, 08:45:12 AM »
Good to know Yuriy.
Now that i think of it, I have an unused Mini-TV stick that runs 4.1, so I guess I could use my 40" shop tv for a DRO  :thumbup:display   

Offline vtsteam

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Re: DRO..... PC based
« Reply #16 on: August 31, 2013, 10:50:42 AM »
These just arrived today. Very reasonably priced, and the daughter card is actually all that is needed for a DRO once it's programmed. Looks like a very nicely made set of packages -- USB cables included!

My problem is probably going to be displaying the output from these with old Windows or old Android, or even DOS. I do have a very old 486 laptop running win95 with a serial port that is nice and compact, and otherwise useless. And the aforementioned tablet running an early Android with a USB port. Either would be great to re-purpose :coffee:



I love it when a Plan B comes together!
Steve
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sDubB0-REg

Offline Bigbadbugga

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Re: DRO..... PC based
« Reply #17 on: September 11, 2013, 11:55:55 PM »
Saw this on another site, Android based dro using the igaging scales and an Arduino board.

http://www.yuriystoys.com/p/android-dro.html

Simon

This really interests me. I've been reading the 'arduino for dummies' book as a result of this post and I've decided to build one of these for the lathe. And possibly a second one for my mill when I get it.

It's been 20 yrs since I've dabbled in electronics and things have changed a little since, but I'm looking forward to catching up a bit :)
Tools: Boxford CSB lathe, Chester 20v mill, Portamig 185. Lots of ideas, No motivation.

Offline BillTodd

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Re: DRO..... PC based
« Reply #18 on: September 25, 2013, 08:19:22 PM »
Glad to see you here Yuriy:-)

I plan on adapting my PIC code (see:  www.cnczone.com/forums/pic_programing_design/62704-pic_based_dro.html ) to drive your app, and i might need some guidance regarding the interface.

My pic code can read most of the older Chinese scales both binary and bcd formats, using a single 8pin pic per axis.

Regards

Bill
Bill

Offline ycroosh

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Re: DRO..... PC based
« Reply #19 on: September 26, 2013, 12:31:00 AM »
Bill,
As long as the output is in the expected format, you should be fine.
The main requirements are:
has to start with an axis name
there has to be at most one "-" (minus) sign
there has to be at least one digit
the string needs to be terminated by a semicolon ";"

The order or frequency doesn't matter. The state machine resets after each axis (terminator), so you can send something like this:
X1234;x1234;x1234;y234;x1234;z0; etc.

The application expects at least one reading per second or it will be switch to the "Connection Lost" state. In five second it will drop the connection and stop listening.

Another consideration is that the app averages the last three readings (to reduce jitter). If you do the same on your end the readout will be pretty slow.
In the next version I will add a switch that will allow turning the "antialiasing" off...

Hope this helps
Thank you
Yuriy

Offline BillTodd

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Re: DRO..... PC based
« Reply #20 on: September 26, 2013, 04:00:24 AM »
Thanks for the reply Yuriy :-)

That's clear, and exactly how i hoped it would work :-)

My pic code simply reads and formats the data from the scale, waits for an open time slot on the serial bus (arbitrated by a separate bus) then squirts a formatted string onto the commoned txd line.

I think i averaged eight samples to stop jitter. The older scales had two sampling speeds  300mS and 50mS (i think)
 The pic jiggles the scale data and clk lines to switch the scale speed. The newer scales appear to read at a fixed speed of about 100mS which is a little slow.

Bill

P.S. sourcecode for the pic and a diagram of the multi pic board is on the cnc zone thread.

Bill

Offline BillTodd

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Re: DRO..... PC based
« Reply #21 on: December 16, 2013, 03:41:06 PM »
I wonder if yuriy's dro.will.run on the ubislate 7ci (ice cream sandwich.  No bluetooth) as this will soon be the cheapest tablet available - expected to.retail.at about £30!

www.ubislate.co.uk/product.php?prodid=1

The display is only 800 by 480 but would still be useable.i think :)

Bill
Bill

Offline Dawai

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Re: DRO..... PC based
« Reply #22 on: December 17, 2013, 09:37:59 PM »
IF you are going to use a old pc?? what do you need all that other stuff for?? this vb6 program I wrote in 2005 can read with a quadrature encoder (glass scales) or a serial digital caliper.. 

  IF you want to go "blue tooth" and readout on a android bases tablet? I suggest purchasing the $60?? arduino mega 2560 I bought today, has a RN42 bluetooth module socket, and there is communication software on the net, and encoder reading software, and serial software.. and..

At one time, this vb6 software also ran power feed to "point" selected.. no clue which version this is thou. My software is in disarray.. too many pc crashes.



(HOW it works, you can find the communication subroutine with the chinese scales and perhaps adapt it's logic to your arduino) THE forum didn't want me to post the whole program for you.. if you want it, code or compiled and running under windows? lemme know..
'
Private Sub Read_X_scale()
 Dim a$
 MSComm1.PortOpen = True ' open the port using MSCOMM
   a$ = MSComm1.Input
 If a$ <> "" Then
 X_pos = Val(a$) / 25.4
 'ProgressBar1.Value = Val(a$)
 End If
 MSComm1.PortOpen = False ' close the port using MSCOMM

End Sub
Private Sub Read_Y_scale()
 Dim a$
 MSComm2.PortOpen = True ' open the port using MSCOMM
   a$ = MSComm2.Input
 If a$ <> "" Then
 X_pos = Val(a$) / 25.4
 'ProgressBar1.Value = Val(a$)
 End If
 MSComm1.PortOpen = False ' close the port using MSCOMM

End Sub


Private Sub end_but_Click() 'end button
 pin_output = Out8255(port_address, 0) 'blip A off
Run_Flag = False
 End
End Sub

 Private Sub delay_mS_time(timetodelay)
   Dim time_out As Single
   Dim delayinMilliseconds
   delayinMilliseconds = HScroll1.Value
  '   ding
    time_out = delayinMilliseconds + timeGetTime()
    Do Until time_out <= timeGetTime()
       'Text8.Text = delayinMilliseconds
      Loop
   End Sub


Private Sub run_main() 'this sub reads/writes the io bits
  Run_Flag = True
 
 Dim j As Integer
  x_pos_txt.Text = X_pos 'write it to the block on the screen before exit sub leaves
  Y_pos_txt.Text = Y_pos
 
 
  If x_target.Text = "" Then x_target.Text = "0"
 
  If x_target.Text >= X_pos Then
      X_frame.BackColor = swon
    End If
   If x_target.Text < X_pos And foot_pedal.Value = False Then
      pin_output = Out8255(port_address, 0) 'blip A on/off
     Else
     pin_output = Out8255(port_address, 1) 'blip A on/off
    End If
   
    If x_target.Text < X_pos Then
    X_frame.BackColor = swoff
    x_pos_txt.Text = X_pos 'write it to the block on the screen before exit sub leaves
    End If
  If x_target.Text = "" Then x_target.Text = "0"
  If y_target.Text = "" Then y_target.Text = "0"
  If y_target.Text >= Y_pos Then
      Y_frame.BackColor = swon
    End If
   If y_target.Text < Y_pos And foot_pedal.Value = False Then
      pin_output = Out8255(port_address, 0) 'blip A on/off
     Else
     pin_output = Out8255(port_address, 2) 'blip A on/off
    End If
   If y_target.Text < Y_pos Then
    Y_frame.BackColor = swoff
    End If
 
 
    delay_mS_time (2)
  'PortValues(0) = In8255(Port_Address)
  PortValues(1) = In8255(port_address + 1)
  'PortValues(2) = In8255(Port_Address + 2)
 
  Return_word.Text = PortValues(0) & " " & PortValues(1) & " " & PortValues(2)
   ' Msg = ""
   ' For j = 7 To 0 Step -1
   '     If (PortValues(0) And (2 ^ j)) > 0 Then
   '         Msg = Msg & "1"
   '        Else
   '         Msg = Msg & "0"
   '     End If
   ' Next
   ' Word_A.Text = Msg
    Msg = ""
    For j = 7 To 0 Step -1
        If (PortValues(1) And (2 ^ j)) > 0 Then
            Msg = Msg & "1"
        Else
            Msg = Msg & "0"
        End If
    Next
    Word_B.Text = Msg
   ' Msg = ""
   ' For j = 7 To 0 Step -1
   '     If (PortValues(2) And (2 ^ j)) > 0 Then
   '         Msg = Msg & "1"
   '     Else
   '         Msg = Msg & "0"
   '     End If
   ' Next
   ' Word_C.Text = Msg
 
foot_pedal.Value = PortValues(1) And (2 ^ 5)

'^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
'00,01,11,10 to right=cw, left = ccw
'****************** Conditional statements, get the bits of encoder************
 X_Anew = Left$(Word_B.Text, 2)
 'pick two left hand bits MSB?
 
 'if serial box checked then 'do not use this sub.
'If Serial_X.Value = 0 Then
 
If X_Anew = X_Aold Then Exit Sub
 
If X_Anew = "00" And X_Aold = "10" Then 'CW
  X_pos = X_pos + X_incr
  X_Aold = X_Anew
  GoTo endofx
End If
 
 If X_Anew = "01" And X_Aold = "00" Then
  X_pos = X_pos + X_incr
  X_Aold = X_Anew
  GoTo endofx
 End If
 
 If X_Anew = "11" And X_Aold = "01" Then
  X_pos = X_pos + X_incr
  X_Aold = X_Anew
  GoTo endofx
   End If
 
 If X_Anew = "10" And X_Aold = "11" Then
  X_pos = X_pos + X_incr
  X_Aold = X_Anew
  GoTo endofx
 End If
 
 
If X_Anew = "00" And X_Aold = "01" Then 'ccw
  X_pos = X_pos - X_incr
  X_Aold = X_Anew
  GoTo endofx
End If
 
 If X_Anew = "01" And X_Aold = "11" Then
  X_pos = X_pos - X_incr
  X_Aold = X_Anew
  GoTo endofx
 End If

 If X_Anew = "11" And X_Aold = "10" Then
  X_pos = X_pos - X_incr
  X_Aold = X_Anew
  GoTo endofx
 End If
 
 If X_Anew = "10" And X_Aold = "00" Then
  X_pos = X_pos - X_incr
  X_Aold = X_Anew
  GoTo endofx
 End If
 
' Else
 Read_X_scale               'send to subroutine to read the chinese scale
  x_pos_txt.Text = X_pos    'set the returned value to reflect scale value
' End If
endofx:

I Hung a 24 foot Ibeam this morning in the ceiling by myself, programmed a Arduino this afternoon for a solar project, Helped a buddy out with a electrical motor connection issue on the phone, then cut up a chicken for Hotwings. I'd say it has been a "blessed day" for myself and all those around me.

Offline Dawai

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Re: DRO..... PC based
« Reply #23 on: December 17, 2013, 09:50:56 PM »
https://littlemachineshop.com/Products/product_new.php

This is the place that had the plugs to snap onto the chinese-calipers to get the serial data off them.. it was a continuous pulse train by the way, with a fixed data set.

TO get it to where you can read it on the parallel port input pins, or into a ttl-rs232 adapter?? such as the max232 chip.. you bond the pc 5 volts to the scales 1.5-3 volts positive, the lower pulse can read that way, if you bond the common's (negative) the rising pulse, dependent upon battery voltage will never be seen by the pc.. or arduino..  It does not rise to the level seen by ttl logic gates.

I Hung a 24 foot Ibeam this morning in the ceiling by myself, programmed a Arduino this afternoon for a solar project, Helped a buddy out with a electrical motor connection issue on the phone, then cut up a chicken for Hotwings. I'd say it has been a "blessed day" for myself and all those around me.

Offline ycroosh

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Re: DRO..... PC based
« Reply #24 on: December 18, 2013, 03:23:12 PM »
I wonder if yuriy's dro.will.run on the ubislate 7ci (ice cream sandwich.  No bluetooth) as this will soon be the cheapest tablet available - expected to.retail.at about £30!

www.ubislate.co.uk/product.php?prodid=1

The display is only 800 by 480 but would still be useable.i think :)

Bill
It will (using Arduino controller or Launchpad with FTDI breakout board). The app scales down to 480x320 screens.
Second section on this page : http://www.yuriystoys.com/2013/08/android-dro-application-settings.html explains what settings to change for USB connectivity.

Hope this helps
Yuriy