servo encoder signal as DRO in mach3

[abomination]

Hi Guys,

Please forgive me if this is in the the forum. I have just picked up an rf45 mill so i can make some chips at home. I have DRO's at my mills at work so this is something that i just can't live without.

I could just add some glass scales and a dro but I would like to cnc the mill down the track.

So, here is my question. If I add encoders that will be used when cnc'd with servo's to the x,y,z axis's and use the mill as a manual mill with handles, can MACH3 act as a traditional DRO when the encoders are wired to the host PC? The idea being that i can still have a usable mill whilst I save money for the other parts of the conversion.

Thanks for your help

Brad

[cyclestart]

It may be possible to do this with Mach3 but there is a free option that works well with curbside grade computers. The software was written for DRO and it has features people expect from a DRO.
DRO SOFTWARE

Although I haven't got around to mounting encoders to the mill, I have tested the system and it works well. Ignore any mention of following errors in the link below, stepper motors can spin an encoder at speeds no human is going to duplicate without gear assistance
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/730289-post16.html

The encoders came from here
Digi-Key - 102-1307-ND (Manufacturer - AMT102-V KIT)

[abomination]

Thanks for the excellent info Cyclestart. Can't wait to give it a go.