Electronica Mechatronic Systems has introduced a high-specification digital readout (DRO) for OEM and retrofit applications. The EL400 is suitable for mill, lathe and EDM applications in two, three- and four-axis versions. Designed for turret-mill-type applications, the four-axis milling machine variant facilitates the internal summing of knee and quill axes without the need for additional external electronics.Users can choose to view the knee or quill axis, or the sum of both, making it suitable for twin-head boring machines. The DRO's rugged die-cast housing is complemented by a modern, bright LED display with wide viewing angle that can be seen clearly in all light conditions. The EL400 also features a tactile keypad, rather than a membrane design. Electronica's discrete, tactile buttons, which are rated up to 15 million operations, provide positive actuation and are sealed at the rear to prevent the access of moisture. The keypad also provides dedicated, one-touch axis zero keys.
Users only need to set the DRO once for any specific group of parameters and the information can then be transferred to a PC ready for input via USB to any subsequent/future DROs acquired. It is strong and rugged, and can accommodate a range of voltages to suit the world market. As standard, the EL400 can interact with any TTL/RS422 industrial-standard encoders based on IP67 magnetic or glass scale/optical technology, or a mixture of encoder types on different axes. Other industrial interfaces such as 11mA, 1Vpp, together with a variant suitable for analogue ball-scale inductive technology are also available.
The EL400 allows for direct connection of 5 and 12.7mm ball encoders with nine-pin D-connectors and older round-pin encoder systems with an adaptor cable. A probe interface is included as standard on the DRO, while a contact probe that allows basic alignment and datum setting is also available. The Electronica label can easily be replaced and axis labels can also be substituted with customised names in line with OEM requirements. A range of DRO stands is also available to complement the EL400, which can be panel mounted if required.
