https://www.caliper2pc.de/forum/ Sun, 10 May 2026 10:59:05 +0000 MyBB https://www.caliper2pc.de/forum/showthread.php?tid=29 Mon, 11 Jan 2021 05:09:23 +0100 lynn]]> https://www.caliper2pc.de/forum/showthread.php?tid=29 https://www.caliper2pc.de/forum/showthread.php?tid=27 Sun, 22 Nov 2020 12:48:23 +0100 Tomer]]> https://www.caliper2pc.de/forum/showthread.php?tid=27

  Camera.jpg (Size: 139.83 KB / Downloads: 5795)
  cutter_edge.jpg (Size: 104.79 KB / Downloads: 5773)

A dedicated measuring apparatus holding the camera, a lighting device and the tool holder was built. The tool holder is mounted at a fixed point, while the camera and the lighting device can be moved in X and Z direction (see attachment). The position for the X and Z axes are measured by linear encoders, so that the cutting edge position can precisely be found for your tools.

  Milling_cutter.jpg (Size: 156.63 KB / Downloads: 5799)
  Measuring_device.jpg (Size: 176.08 KB / Downloads: 5722)
  XZ_encoder.jpg (Size: 144.89 KB / Downloads: 5792)

I would like to thank the anonymous user who shared the images of his measuring apparatus with the forum.]]>

  Camera.jpg (Size: 139.83 KB / Downloads: 5795)
  cutter_edge.jpg (Size: 104.79 KB / Downloads: 5773)

A dedicated measuring apparatus holding the camera, a lighting device and the tool holder was built. The tool holder is mounted at a fixed point, while the camera and the lighting device can be moved in X and Z direction (see attachment). The position for the X and Z axes are measured by linear encoders, so that the cutting edge position can precisely be found for your tools.

  Milling_cutter.jpg (Size: 156.63 KB / Downloads: 5799)
  Measuring_device.jpg (Size: 176.08 KB / Downloads: 5722)
  XZ_encoder.jpg (Size: 144.89 KB / Downloads: 5792)

I would like to thank the anonymous user who shared the images of his measuring apparatus with the forum.]]> https://www.caliper2pc.de/forum/showthread.php?tid=25 Wed, 07 Oct 2020 18:35:19 +0200 gene-pavlovsky]]> https://www.caliper2pc.de/forum/showthread.php?tid=25
Preface:
I'm planning an Electronic Leadscrew (ELS) conversion for my lathe, it involves an incremental rotary encoder driven by the spindle, and a stepper motor driving the leadscrew. An MCU decodes the spindle encoder's output and outputs appropriate steps signal to the stepper motor driver, depending on the thread pitch or a feed ratio selected by the user.

By reading the spindle encoder, the ELS MCU has very accurate knowledge of spindle RPM. It would be nice if this RPM can also be displayed on the laptop, to which Caliper2PC is connected. I would like to connect the ELS MCU to Caliper2PC in a way that Caliper2PC will "think" it's connected to an opto interrupter sensor.

My guess is:
Stereo Jack 2.5 mm
VCC - not connected
Signal - MCU pin configured as an output pin
GND - MCU ground

Every X counts of the spindle encoder, toggle the MCU pin value. X should be chosen based on spindle encoder counts per revolution, and max possible spindle RPM. In my case the spindle encoder is 1800 pulses per revolution, and I will process the quadrature output in either 2x or 4x mode (undecided yet), let's assume 2x mode, then it's 3600 counts per revolution. Let's say that the max spindle speed is 2000 RPM. According to Caliper2PC website, "The measurable spindle speed ranges from 3000 – 300 000 rpm (50 – 5000Hz)". 2000 * 3600 = 7 200 000 max impulses per second, we have to scale it down to 300 000. X = 7 200 000 / 300 000 = 24. This should make the MCU output a square wave similar to what would be produced by an opto interrupter with a 150 (3600 / 24) slot disk. Unless I made a mistake somewhere in my calculations

Am I on the right track with regards to the connections and the calculations? Would I need any pull-up or pull-down resistors? My guess is that there's a pull-up resistor on the Caliper2PC's side of the Signal pin, and no resistors would be needed on the ELS MCU side?

Thanks
--Gene]]>
Preface:
I'm planning an Electronic Leadscrew (ELS) conversion for my lathe, it involves an incremental rotary encoder driven by the spindle, and a stepper motor driving the leadscrew. An MCU decodes the spindle encoder's output and outputs appropriate steps signal to the stepper motor driver, depending on the thread pitch or a feed ratio selected by the user.

By reading the spindle encoder, the ELS MCU has very accurate knowledge of spindle RPM. It would be nice if this RPM can also be displayed on the laptop, to which Caliper2PC is connected. I would like to connect the ELS MCU to Caliper2PC in a way that Caliper2PC will "think" it's connected to an opto interrupter sensor.

My guess is:
Stereo Jack 2.5 mm
VCC - not connected
Signal - MCU pin configured as an output pin
GND - MCU ground

Every X counts of the spindle encoder, toggle the MCU pin value. X should be chosen based on spindle encoder counts per revolution, and max possible spindle RPM. In my case the spindle encoder is 1800 pulses per revolution, and I will process the quadrature output in either 2x or 4x mode (undecided yet), let's assume 2x mode, then it's 3600 counts per revolution. Let's say that the max spindle speed is 2000 RPM. According to Caliper2PC website, "The measurable spindle speed ranges from 3000 – 300 000 rpm (50 – 5000Hz)". 2000 * 3600 = 7 200 000 max impulses per second, we have to scale it down to 300 000. X = 7 200 000 / 300 000 = 24. This should make the MCU output a square wave similar to what would be produced by an opto interrupter with a 150 (3600 / 24) slot disk. Unless I made a mistake somewhere in my calculations

Am I on the right track with regards to the connections and the calculations? Would I need any pull-up or pull-down resistors? My guess is that there's a pull-up resistor on the Caliper2PC's side of the Signal pin, and no resistors would be needed on the ELS MCU side?

Thanks
--Gene]]> https://www.caliper2pc.de/forum/showthread.php?tid=24 Wed, 07 Oct 2020 18:02:27 +0200 gene-pavlovsky]]> https://www.caliper2pc.de/forum/showthread.php?tid=24
I am wondering if there is a possibility to share the position information with another MCU (e.g. an Arduino). I guess it would be possible to do via the computer (to which both devices would be connected) and the API you provide, but is it possible to do it somehow directly? Is there any interface (SPI, I2C) on the PCB which I could hook into, using one of the existing 8P8C connectors, some internal connectors or pin headers on the PCB (I've got the unit open when I receied it, but didn't pay enough attention to what was on the PCB).

I'm planning an electronic leadscrew (ELS) controller for my Hobbymat MD65 lath, to replace the original change gear mechanism.
Here's an overview of the project (for a different lathe) that I plan to base my efforts on.

An idea came to my head, that if the ELS controller could get the coordinates from Caliper2PC, a couple of neat features would be possible to implement. By knowing the X axis position, the controller could suggest optimum spindle speed and feed rate (depending on material type and turning operation to be performed, to be selected by user on the screen). The controller could even set the spindle speed automatically, if the lathe's spindle motor is a 3-phase unit powered by a VFD, and the controller is hooked up to the VFD. In this case it would be also possible to implement constant surface speed, e.g. when taking a facing cut, the spindle speed can be automatically increased as the X axis reading changes.

The ELS controller can also monitor the Z axis coordinate from DRO and check that they agree with the coordinate that is calculated based on how many steps were sent to the leadscrew stepper motor driver. This way the controller can detect if the stepper motor loses synchronization (e.g. lack of torque, overspeeding, power feed clutch and/or half nuts - if present - disengaged by user), and take appropriate action (e.g. stop the feed and/or spindle, display an error message).

Best regards,
--Gene]]>
I am wondering if there is a possibility to share the position information with another MCU (e.g. an Arduino). I guess it would be possible to do via the computer (to which both devices would be connected) and the API you provide, but is it possible to do it somehow directly? Is there any interface (SPI, I2C) on the PCB which I could hook into, using one of the existing 8P8C connectors, some internal connectors or pin headers on the PCB (I've got the unit open when I receied it, but didn't pay enough attention to what was on the PCB).

I'm planning an electronic leadscrew (ELS) controller for my Hobbymat MD65 lath, to replace the original change gear mechanism.
Here's an overview of the project (for a different lathe) that I plan to base my efforts on.

An idea came to my head, that if the ELS controller could get the coordinates from Caliper2PC, a couple of neat features would be possible to implement. By knowing the X axis position, the controller could suggest optimum spindle speed and feed rate (depending on material type and turning operation to be performed, to be selected by user on the screen). The controller could even set the spindle speed automatically, if the lathe's spindle motor is a 3-phase unit powered by a VFD, and the controller is hooked up to the VFD. In this case it would be also possible to implement constant surface speed, e.g. when taking a facing cut, the spindle speed can be automatically increased as the X axis reading changes.

The ELS controller can also monitor the Z axis coordinate from DRO and check that they agree with the coordinate that is calculated based on how many steps were sent to the leadscrew stepper motor driver. This way the controller can detect if the stepper motor loses synchronization (e.g. lack of torque, overspeeding, power feed clutch and/or half nuts - if present - disengaged by user), and take appropriate action (e.g. stop the feed and/or spindle, display an error message).

Best regards,
--Gene]]> https://www.caliper2pc.de/forum/showthread.php?tid=16 Sun, 14 Apr 2019 21:45:47 +0200 Besnik]]> https://www.caliper2pc.de/forum/showthread.php?tid=16
On Harold Hall's interesting website I found this digital vernier mounted on a lathe. The vernier has a big LCD display so that it is used as a digital readout by itself. I would like to know if this kind of verniers are compatible with the Caliper2PC interface.

Does anybody know which protocol it uses?]]>
On Harold Hall's interesting website I found this digital vernier mounted on a lathe. The vernier has a big LCD display so that it is used as a digital readout by itself. I would like to know if this kind of verniers are compatible with the Caliper2PC interface.

Does anybody know which protocol it uses?]]> https://www.caliper2pc.de/forum/showthread.php?tid=12 Sat, 16 Mar 2019 18:52:28 +0100 Lorenzo]]> https://www.caliper2pc.de/forum/showthread.php?tid=12
  Relais_Control_Panel.gif (Size: 12.2 KB / Downloads: 7015)
I realized the Caliper2PC interface has output ports and would like to use some of them to turn my machines' engines on and off. I though about using relais for the power side.

Any advice?]]>
  Relais_Control_Panel.gif (Size: 12.2 KB / Downloads: 7015)
I realized the Caliper2PC interface has output ports and would like to use some of them to turn my machines' engines on and off. I though about using relais for the power side.

Any advice?]]> https://www.caliper2pc.de/forum/showthread.php?tid=4 Tue, 26 Feb 2019 11:47:03 +0100 Jack]]> https://www.caliper2pc.de/forum/showthread.php?tid=4
  shahe.jpg (Size: 16.32 KB / Downloads: 4249)

Can Shahe linear scales with external lcd display be connected to the Caliper2PC interface?]]>
  shahe.jpg (Size: 16.32 KB / Downloads: 4249)

Can Shahe linear scales with external lcd display be connected to the Caliper2PC interface?]]>