About retDRO
What does retDRO do?
retDRO is a small customisable Digital Read Out system that allows the fitting of a DRO to small machines, without having to overly modify them to accept one of the existing systems.
retDRO has been designed from the start to allow the user to design their own read head brackets to mount the read heads in, and uses high accuracy magnetic tape fixed via industrial strength double sided tape .
retDRO Read Head
The retDRO read head has been designed to be as small as possible. It uses an AS5311 magnetic quadrature encoder to measure movement along a precision magnetic tape, and sends this information via the integrated M5 sensor connector to the retDRO CPU.
For those looking to integrate the read heads into their machine we offer these without the connector.
It is recommended that once you have finalised the fitting of your read heads that you seal them in to prevent contaminants causing short circuits.
retDRO CPU
The retDRO CPU is based on an ESP32 processor that receives the signals from the read heads, keeps track of the position and sends this via Bluetooth to an Android device (noy included) running the excellent TouchDRO software that is free on the Google Play Store.
The retDRO CPU supports 3 axes via the integrated M5 sensor cables, these allow the CPU to be used with 2 axes Lathes, Lathes with a compound cross slide arrangement and also 3 axes machines such as a milling machine or a lathe milling attachment.
The M5 sensor cables and connectors allow the CPU to be quickly disconnected from the read heads, for example to move the cross slide out of the way (a feature on smaller lathes like a Schaublin 70/102), or to use it on a different machine.
The retDRO CPU unit is powered via a USB type A connector (wall wart no included) and has a large illuminated button that also shows the CPU's connection status (flashing not connected, solid for connected).
Turnkey Solutions
retDRO is pleased to be able to offer a complete solution for compatible Schaublin 70, Schaublin 102 and Aciera F1 machines.
These packages include everything you need to fit a DRO to your lathe or milling machine without having to make any permanent alterations to your machine. The supplied read head assemblies mount to your machines using existing threaded holes and the pre cut magnetic tape is secured using industrial double sided tape. All you need to supply is a USB power supply and a compatible Android device (System Requirements (touchdro.com))
