Fitting a 3 Axis DRO to my AMA25 mill (PM-25, G0704, WM18 etc..)

In this marathon, I fit a 1um 3 axis DRO to my milling machine

I bought the cheapest 1um resolution DRO I could find on Aliexpress for my mill.

I paid approx £176 (US$243, EUR204 - at time of checking).
These appear to have a 1um resolution, but once i have fitted these to my mill, I will make some more accurate measurements. I would imagine the accuracy is more like 5um - stay tuned to find out!

Edited (badly) with a combination of openshot and DaVinci resolve.

[TheKnacklersWorkshop]

Hello Olly,
Nicely done... I like the trick with the bike brake pad washers... Good to hear more subscribers are coming your way...
Take care.
Paul, ,

[freon]

Nice installation Olly. Thank you for posting.

[bobuk]

Hi Olly, algorithm just brought me here (Jan 2023). I'm working out how to fit DRO to an Excel/Optimum BF30 mill. The Y axis is interesting, similar sloping casting but two oil points on the cross slide. I like the idea of a fixed read head and moving scale - kinder to the cable. As you mention below earthing can be problematic, very easy to create earth loops that make matters worse.

[jaybee]

Thanks for that well explained install. I am in the process to install just a 2 axis version. Some nice ideas and alternative solutions for me. Thanks for the video.

[mikecrane]

I see you put a note on the video re the earth lead function, but I'd thought I'd share my experience. I have a similar set up on my mill, no DRO manual with mine, and I was chasing interference that was causing the scales to increment on their own when the mill was switched on. It was due to the step down transformer for the contactor relay (415 to 240V), and iIt completely disappeared when I earthed the DRO to the chassis of the mill. :)

[andrewdolinskiatcarpathian]

Probably the neatest DRO installation I have seen on YouTube. Plenty of interesting ideas.
I am looking to get a new mill. Torn now between the AMA25L, Seig SX2.7L and the Warco WM16B. Choices, choices 🤔🥴 Andrew

[coplandjason]

Nice, tidy installation. I'm looking for a 3 axis DRO for my Harrison 600 mill so I might go shopping on Aliexpress, I noticed the price has increased substantially but it's still cheap

[joeybobbie]

It looks Great. Good Job. I’m definitely going to have to get a 3D Printer. I see a lot of Machinists on YouTube using them.

[steveisok]

Hi Olly. I have the same mill. what were lengths of the optical readers. Thanks Steve.

[GRAYnomad]

Do you find that the Z-axis on the column is necessary given that the quill has one?

[bbbnz]

Cool is this mill the same as the BF-20LV Optimum mill thanx

[seapy]

Good video but I don't really get the need for one micron resolution on a small mill... Just a distraction, given DRO's don't suffer from cumulative errors like analogue movements do.

[botesmj]

Hi Olly, that looks like a BF 20 LV mill. What size scales did you order if you don’t mind sharing?

[robw]

How are you finding the ama25 mill? I'm looking at getting the belt drive one very soon but have not really found many reviews for them.

[derekcottiss]

any link to where this came from please

[Tarzan]

do you have a link to a file to 3d print your guard you made?