Lesson: Digital Readouts.

What's a digital readout system?  ​

So the question asked of me today: 
​What do you think a digital readout does? Viewing the pieces that are attached  to the machine I notice that there's this long metal rod-type thing attached to part of the machine, but not all of it.  There are cables coming from the long rod attachment to the display.  Numbers are all over the screen.  What does it mean? I'm about to investigate and find out.

 Starting with Rossi Machinery Services' premier, lines: Heidenhain and Acu-rite I found plenty of good information.  Take a look!

Digital readout systems (or position display units) and interface electronics from HEIDNHAIN offer increased accuracy and quality control in myriad applications. From metalworking to measuring microscopes, these products are as easy to use as they are effective.

​After reading this summary from Heidenhain, (We're a long time distributor for Heidenhain) I realized that the rod, which is really called the scale or linear encoder, does the measuring that the machinist use to do by hand.  Now, I am told that I WILL need a crash course on measuring , but that is  for another story for another day.  The measurement is displayed on the console or display:  

An example of a Heidenhain Display.

Linear encoders come absolute and incremental. After researching their meanings I began to understand the difference.  ​The Absolute linear encoder will remember where it is if a power outage occurs.  That seems an important feature to consider when purchasing a linear encoder.  

Absolute linear encoders require no previous traverse to provide the current position value. The encoder transmits the absolute value through the EnDat interface or another serial interface. ​

Heidenhain sealed linear encoder

With incremental linear encoders,the current position is determined by starting at a datum (the measuring point) and counting measuring steps, or by subdividing and counting signal periods. Incremental encoders from HEIDENHAIN feature reference marks, which must be scanned after switch-on to reestablish the datum. This process is especially simple and fast with distance-coded reference marks. 

Acu-Rite ,which we are also a long-time distributor for, provides great valued-priced digital readout systems for most applications.  Heidenhain is a must if you have the need for highly precise measuring.  

Another fact that I learned today is that Rossi Machinery Services installs their products, and provides something that the catalog suppliers don't:  Support.  This is key as with each of these systems there are many different applications that come loaded in the software.  Some of the products are directly used with lathes while others are for milling and grinding.  Finding the right product for your needs is going to be easy with Rossi Machinery Services.  I am to continue my education on this - the first of the many products that Rossi Machinery Services provides to manufacturing - and really beyond.  

Another exciting day with so many facts and products, I realize that I have just touched the tip of this topic.  Stay tuned as I learn more about all of the products, services and upgrades that we provide. 
I like that I am involved with a company that covers so much ground for their customers!