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Magnetic Scales cannot be broken - Coolant & Dust Proof - Cut to length

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FAQ's - Frequently Asked Questions:

What size drills and taps do I need to install my new Electronica kit?

We recommend having the following drills and taps on hand when installing the Electronica kits:

What size Magnetic Scales do I need?

Magnetic scales are named according to the amount of travel the scales are built to accommodate. This is the value you should use to match the travel of your machine. As a sidenote, maximum travel will be ~ 5/8" longer, and overall length will be 5-1/2" longer than stated scale size. Using a 12" scale as an example, it is designed to fully accommodate 12" of travel, it's maximum travel will be 12-5/8", and overall length will be 17-1/2".

The scale readout on my Electronica display is flickering - what is happening?

Electronica magnetic scales and readheads have "hash marks" on one side of them. These hash marks must be installed on the same side for the scale to read correctly. If you accidentally mount the scale and the readhead with the hash marks on opposite sides, the scale will not read correctly, and it will cause the display to 'flicker'. Simply remove the scale, turn it so that the hash marks are adjacent to the readheads hash marks, and re-install the scale.

My Electronica magnetic scale lathe display is not reading correctly on the X (cross slide) axis.

The most likely cause is the display and scale resolution don't match. The display is shipped from the factory with a default 5 micron scale setting, which must be changed to 1 micron for the display to read correctly. Click HERE to download "Setting up an Electronica Lathe Kit" instructions.

My DRO PROS brand display is not reading correctly. Seems like it's reading 5 times higher than it should be.

The most likely cause is the display and scale resolution don't match. Did you upgrade any of your scales to the high resolution 1 micron scales? The display is shipped from the factory with a default 5 micron scale setting, which must be changed to 1 micron for the display to read correctly. Please see our library page for machine specific articles on how to change this setting.

I need some help choosing between all of your kits. Any advice?

To start with, all DRO PROS products are quality built to do the job right. However, with that said, each brand has its own unique advantages. We know that choosing a DRO kit can be difficult, so in our endeavor to help our customers we've developed the following guidelines. While we try to be as impartial as we can, our interaction with our customers and their feedback has certainly influenced us greatly in forming our "opinions". Please keep in mind that every installation is different, only you can know what's best for you.

What is a DRO?

DRO stands for Digital Read Out. A digital readout system digitally displays a machine tools exact position on an electronic display board.

What can a DRO do for me?

A digital readout system can greatly simplify your work, save time, reduce costly mistakes and allow you to produce more accurate, exacting parts. Without a DRO system, an operator must count the number of hand wheel revolutions to determine exact position of a tool head against the table. For example, some milling machine leadscrews are graduated at 16 threads per inch (TPI), which means that for every turn of the hand wheel the table moves 1/16? (.0625), therefore it takes 16 turns to move the table exactly 1?. Other machines are calibrated at 10 TPI, meaning it takes 10 hand wheel revolutions for the table to travel an inch. On the Z axis, it is typical for each division to represent .002?, where one full revolution is equal to .060?. Needless to say, it can quickly become quite confusing! The bottom line is that with a digital display, the days of counting hand wheel revolutions are over. Simply turn the display on and you're ready to go!

Do I have to center the scale on the table?

The short answer is no, you do not. But let's take a look at some examples to illustrate the point. The first series of pictures illustrates a 'traditional' installation on a milling machines' X axis where the scale has been mounted relative to the center of the table. The scale (light blue) has been attached to the table (white). The trolley (dark blue) has been fastened to the base of the machine (grey). Remember, we're presenting a typical installation first, followed by an example where the scale has been offset.

How Do I Choose the Right DRO Kit?

To start with, all DRO PROS products are quality built to do the job right. However, with that said, each brand has it's own unique advantages. We know that choosing a DRO kit can be difficult, so in our endeavor to help our customers we've developed the following chart. While we try to be as impartial as we can, our interaction with our customers and their feedback has certainly influenced us greatly in forming our "opinions". Please keep in mind that every installation is different, only you can know what's best for your particular installation.  

Electronica

PROS: The most technologically advanced DRO kit on the market today. For starters, the Electronica kit uses magnetic scales. Magnetic scales are impervious to coolant or liquid, and are slimmer than glass or inductive scales. They're easier to mount, more durable, and can be cut to any length you need. They can't be contaminated, and measure only .4" thick. The bracket kits are exceptional, being machined, not cast, and are anodized black for a professional finish.

CONS: Such an incredible deal you may end up buying more than just one!

COMMENTS: DRO PROS hits another home run! Affordable, built to last, and one of the best looking, easiest to use displays we've seen. 

WHY YOU WOULD CHOOSE ELECTRONICA: If you value quality, ease of installation, and don't want your scales to get contaminated, this is the kit for you! 

Why should you buy from DRO PROS?

We speak English - We answer our phones - Same day shipping

Veteran owned, Veteran managed - and proud of it!

Our goal is to make customers for life. We feel that, in the long run, treating customers right will yield much more than simply "going for the sale". In accordance with that, we have attempted to pass on some ideas to help you, the customer, in completing your purchase decision:

Price. Probably the most talked about factor when buying a digital readout. Price can also be the most misleading, and perhaps worst way, to judge a digital readout kit. We've all heard the old adage, "You get what you pay for." Before the internet, it was true, price did generally correlate directly to value. But that was yesterdays economy. All resellers obtained their goods the same way, and therefore incurred the same costs. In today's economy, the market has changed drastically. At DRO PROS, we import and sell directly to you. Unlike our competitors, we do not have Western and Eastern sales divisions and multi layers of management to support. One location, one cost, and the savings get passed on to you!

Intuitiveness or "Ease of Use". Probably the most important, and hardest to determine factor when buying a readout. Think in terms of after the sale. Even if you get an absolute 'rock star' bottom line price that would make William Shatner proud, if the digital readout is not user friendly, you still didn't get a 'deal'. The whole point of getting a digital readout is to make your work easier and more enjoyable. If the digital readout is poorly designed, too complicated, if the display isn't bright enough, or in other words is 'user unfriendly', you'll regret your purchase decision every time you turn it on. It simply won't matter what you paid, it's not worth it!

Support. Most likely the second most important, and perhaps most overlooked factor when buying a digital readout. Imagine trying to reach a technician when you've bought a digital readout from an overseas reseller! Yet every day, people "save" $50 and buy products on eBay without stopping to think what will happen when they need service or tech support. Some digital readout resellers don't even publish a phone number! While our competitors continue to pare down or even totally eliminate their customer support, we continue to expand our Customer Service. Our Video Tutorials are the best in the industry, and are available free for you, our customers. Our tech help is the best in the business - our techs all know our readouts inside and out. Nobody knows digital readouts like DRO PROS!

Warranty. DRO PROS is proud to offer the industries safest, longest, lifetime warranty on all of our Electronica magnetic scale kits. DRO PROS brand warranty claims are handled directly by DRO PROS. No run-arounds, no hassle! Something not working as expected? Call us, don't get redirected overseas like the other guys!

Parts. Can you believe some resellers don't carry parts? That's right, buy from the "other guys", break a scale, and you get to replace the entire digital readout kit! Don't assume you can just go buy a different brand scale, either, because most manufacturers use different connectors on their scales. If that wasn't enough, even among those with a common connector, such as a DB9, most are hard wired differently. Finally, don't overlook the cost of parts. At DRO PROS, an 800mm replacement scale will cost you $197. A similar scale sold extensively by a European company will cost nearly $700! Finally, we have a massive inventory of parts, so rest easy - a replacement part is only a phone call away!

The Best Value. We literally search world-wide for the best value digital readout products on the planet. If there was a better digital readout package to be sold, we would be selling it. Yes, we've seen cheaper units on eBay, but there is a reason they're cheaper. Think poor quality, no parts, no manual, non-existent customer service, poor product fit/finish etc.

Customer Service. We pledge to never "over sell" you on a product that won't work well for you. Our philosophy is to try and save you money and get the best value kit tailored to the machinery you have. Many of our customers are surprised when we recommend against buying a more expensive brand. Again, our philosophy is to build customers for life. Give us a call and let us save you money!

Shipping. Most orders ship the same day, the next at the latest. We do not 'drop' ship, we have our own massive warehouse of inventory right here on site. We use UPS, you'll get a tracking number emailed to you immediately, and we cover all shipping insurance automatically.

The Company. DRO PROS is a veteran owned, American company. We enjoy selling quality products at competitive prices. We believe that  providing the best customer service is the key to success. No other company spends more time on the phone with customers than we do. Even in a down economy, our company continues to thrive and grow. We look forward to earning your business! 

The Bottom Line. Our line of digital readout's are simply the most user friendly readouts on the planet. Because of our direct marketing structure, they're also extremely affordable. Coupled with our extensive customer service and affordable parts, our Digital Readout products are simply the best value on the planet.

Shipping:

Domestic Shipping to the United States: All digital readout shipping is done via UPS for a flat rate of $43. You'll get a tracking number emailed direct to you from UPS, enabling you to track your shipment door to door! We cover insurance against any potential shipping damages, so no hidden fees here!

International Shipping to Canada: All of our DRO shipping is done via UPS. We charge a flat fee of $80.

International Shipping elsewhere: All of our DRO shipping is done via the United States Postal Service via a flat rate of $140.

Industry Leading Unlimited Lifetime Warranty Electronica magnetic kits = Unlimited Lifetime Warranty DRO PROS brand warranty claims are handled directly by DRO PROS. No run-arounds, no hassle!

At DRO PROS, we take care of our customers. Have an issue or need some help? Let us take care of it with a toll-free call to California!

Call us now at 1-707-452-8434