Warco Glass Scales

[Shed HappensParticipant @shedhappens]

I wonder if anyone has bought the glass scales from Warco. I'm trying to find the specification of them, detailed dimensions, IP rating, interface spec (which I assume is std TTL quadrature) etc

Suprizingly Warco are not able to provide this info and will not disclose the manufacture who I'm sure would have a data sheet – probably already posted on their web site.

So if anyone has one, does it have a manufacture's code or anything that would help identify it.

Alternatively an suggestions for a supplier of reasonably priced Glass Scales?

John

Edited By Shed Happens on 05/07/2017 11:41:30

[Shed HappensParticipant @shedhappens]

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

EMS (advertise in ME)

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Machine DRO give sizes, IP rating and Output signal of their scales such as this

Edited By JasonB on 05/07/2017 12:00:41

[Shed HappensParticipant @shedhappens]

Thanks for the ideas, both of these suppliers do indeed have full specs.

[Stuart BridgerParticipant @stuartbridger82290]

Just checked the Warco installed units on my VMC, no obvious part number or logos. Mind you my mill is a few years old now, so they may have changed supplier in that time. It was originally fitted with an Easson console, so it could have been scales from the same, but no guarantees.

[Shed HappensParticipant @shedhappens]

Thanks for looking Stuart,

you may have 'hit the nail on the head' when you suggest changed supplier – I suspect maybe that's part of why Warco won't say who the supplier is – if they buy a batch at a time they may not have consistency from one batch to the next.

Ah well – I certainly can't buy based on the info they have on the web site! At the risk of sounding like I'm having a rant, I find it incredible that a company would expect people to purchase technical items without the vital (or even basic) information needed to ensure suitability, – in this case dimensions, interface specification, IP rating etc. – Actually maybe it's the people buying them that I should be suprized at!…..

so I'll try Machine DRO I think – they are fairly local as well.

John

[John HinkleyParticipant @johnhinkley26699]

John (aka Shed Happens),

Be prepared to be surprised at me, then! I bought a Warco VMC mill two years ago, complete with 3-axis DRO and x-axis power feed. The glass scales were the "budget" ones with 5micron accuracy. I've just had a squint at them and as Stuart says, there's no makers ID that I can find. The model numbers are all DC10 – something, depending on the length. I did take the trouble to visit the Warco showrooms in order to finalise my decision on the choice of mill and inspect the DROs available, however. I previously had a much smaller mill of the bench top variety and fitted caliper-style scales to that – never again. They were intermittent and unreliable in my installation, though others will have had different experiences, no doubt.

I've also had a look at the Warco web site and the prices are the same as I paid two years ago, as is the DRO display (DC60-3V). So, if you want a recommendation from someone who has bought and used the scales for a while, there you have it. I have found them to be good value for money, accurate as far as I can tell and the measuring capacity far exceeds my ability with the mill and, I suspect, the accuracy of the mill itself!

I see that you are based in Cambridgeshire, so you might be near enough to me to have a look at my set up. You are welcome to visit, should you so wish. PM me if you want to take up this offer.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Most people will buy a set of scales and the display at the same time so its fair to assume one will work with the other so does not matter what the interface is to them. It's well known that glass scales are not as swarf/coolant proof as other types so IP rating not really an issue. Warco list what scales will fit their various models so size is not really an issue either.

[Shed HappensParticipant @shedhappens]

Hi John, sorry didn't mean to offend anyone

I totally agree that if you are buying a complete system then clearly you'd expect the interfaces etc to be compatible and the exact specs maybe of no consequence.

I'm updating an existing system (like you John moving from caliper style capacitive) and therefore it definately does matter for me e.g. some scales have differential Quadrature and others straight TTL.

Jason – obviously I'm learning about different scale types – what are the consequences of swarf/coolant on glass scales then? I admit to being confused now as the Warco site says their scales are "Completely swarf and coolant proof", MachineDRO says IP67 rated, EMS say IP54.

John

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Machine DRO says IP53 in that link I posted above for glass and that is when installed with the metal covers, so similar spec to EMS, I'd say Warco's are wishful thinking. Both the M-DRO and EMS have quite low second numbers and it is this number that refers to liquid.

The magnetic scales can take a bit more abuse ( IP67) and if you really want to treat them roughly then you need to be looking towards Newel Microsyn

Basically with the glass scale the head moves along the scale with a slight gap between them, get swarf or a lot of coolant in there and they will play up. Really depends on what you are going to do, generally the glass scales with a cover if sensibly located eg open edge downwards will be fine in most cases just flood coolant that may want a bit more care.

Edited By JasonB on 06/07/2017 11:03:26

[Shed HappensParticipant @shedhappens]

Thanks Jason – sounds like glass will be just fine for my use then

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

There is actually not much in it cost wise between the two by the time you have added the covers to the glass scales, one other advantage of the magnetics is they are smaller than the slim glass scale and a lot smaller than the standard ones. EMS are even smaller still.

J

[John HinkleyParticipant @johnhinkley26699]

Hi, John,

Have replied to your pm. Looks like you're about an hour away from me. When I first replied ( above ) I didn't realise that you are trying to match glass scales to an existing dro. I can see that could cause problems.

John

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