Q. WHAT IS A DRO?

DRO stands for Digital Read Out. A digital readout system digitally displays a machine tools exact position on an electronic display board.

Q. WHAT CAN A DRO DO FOR ME?

A digital readout system can greatly simplify your work, save time, reduce costly mistakes and allow you to produce more accurate, exacting parts. Without a DRO system, an operator must count the number of hand wheel revolutions to determine exact position of a tool head against the table. For example, some milling machine leadscrews are graduated at 16 threads per inch (TPI), which means that for every turn of the hand wheel the table moves 1/16? (.0625), therefore it takes 16 turns to move the table exactly 1?. Other machines are calibrated at 10 TPI, meaning it takes 10 hand wheel revolutions for the table to travel an inch. On the Z axis, it is typical for each division to represent .002?, where one full revolution is equal to .060?. Needless to say, it can quickly become quite confusing! The bottom line is that with a digital display, the days of counting hand wheel revolutions are over. Simply turn the display on and you're ready to go!

Q. WHAT THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE BUYING A DRO?

In general, there are two main factors to consider when buying a DRO. First is scale type, and second, is display type. We sell both glass and magnetic scales. Glass is popular because it's the least expensive, but it can (and frequently does) get contaminated from oil and debris. Magnetic scales are superior because they are coolant and dust proof. Further, they are slimmer, and can be cut to any length you want, making installation much easier.

DRO displays are available in 1, 2, 3 and 4 axis kits. The screen is either an LCD or LED type. LED displays can only show numbers (like a calculator), and are therefore less expensive. LCD displays are much like a computer screen, and can graphically draw functions in color, allowing you to see what you programmed, before you cut it.

Q. WHAT THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE BUYING A DRO?

In general, there are two main factors to consider when buying a DRO. First is scale type, and second, is display type. We sell both glass and magnetic scales. Glass is popular because it's the least expensive, but it can (and frequently does) get contaminated from oil and debris. Magnetic scales are superior because they are coolant and dust proof. Further, they are slimmer, and can be cut to any length you want, making installation much easier.

Q. I NEED SOME HELP CHOOSING BETWEEN ALL OF YOUR KITS. ANY ADVICE?

To start with, all DRO PROS products are quality built to do the job right. However, with that said, each brand has its own unique advantages. We know that choosing a DRO kit can be difficult, so in our endeavor to help our customers we try to be as impartial as we can. Our interaction with our customers and their feedback has certainly influenced us greatly in forming our opinions. Please keep in mind that every installation is different, only you can know what's best for you.