Quick Tips & Tricks #1, Using Edge finder with DRO (Using the SDM Function)

In this Quick Tips and Tricks video, I'll show how I use the DRO and a Edge finder to find the edge of a part, and to find the center, easily, while maintaining your origin point.

[@RustyInventions-wz6ir]

Very useful. Thanks

[@victoryvisiontour]

The picture-in-picture makes it very easy to see what you are doing on the DRO while watching what you are doing on the part at the same time. Thanks for the simple explanation.

[@KevinToppenberg]

I like how you zeroed into that precision.

[@williambowen7007]

Nicely done. Show more on the functions of the DRO. Thank You.

[@donmittlestaedt1117]

Thanks Bill.

[@j.b.smiscellanies6040]

I like the picture in picture, it really illustrates what you are doing!

[@KnoxMachining]

I really like doing that. I did that with one of my other videos early on. I made this one a bit bigger. I could read the DRO through the iPhone in this setup. Previously I used my iPad to video the DRO from behind me and kept getting my head in the way. I think this setup worked better. Oh, and I remembered not to give the middle finger while pushing the buttons too!

[@paulmorrey4298]

Thanks

[@Inatool]

The INATOOL Flex Edge Finder is a different approach to edge finding and it is fast, easy, and precise. Unskilled machinist can edge find within a couple tenths, first try. If you guys have tried to train new machinist you may know it is difficult to get them to use a wobbler or indicator arm correctly, resulting in scrapped parts. The flex edge finder is an indicator accessory, which makes an indicator a very precise edge finding tool.

[@bearsrodshop7067]

I've only had my DRO (on mill) since this Feb, and still in the learning process. Thx for sharing and the SDM function I and half are in my path of learning :)>!,,Bear

[@KnoxMachining]

Yea, I love the DRO. The SDM is rarely talked about in the hobby world. It's rather useful. You can set it up for small production runs. Say you have two or 3 vises, and your making identical parts. You fixture them in your vise, and pickup your edges on each part, storing that in a SDM page for each one. You then can do a operation on each one without having to edge find every single time.

[@kentuckytrapper780]

Great info, thanks

[@KnoxMachining]

Glad it was helpful!

[@skiptracer8703]

Easy Peasy, Thanks Billy -jim

[@KnoxMachining]

Yup. Hope everyone found it useful. I know there is a ton of this on CZcams already on using the edge finder, and center finding and even using the half function, but very few touch on using the SDM page, or the ABS/INC pages.

[@charleshanse8573]

thanks for your prompt reply, ct hanse

[@topstar3]

Great video!

[@KnoxMachining]

Thanks!

[@douglasbattjes3991]

Do you have a video on storing drill or milling points on your DRO , like finding the center and then 4 other locations.? I have a Ditron D 60 but they all same to be the same in functions, Sure be great to see how you store them, read the China manual but very very confusing. Great video on the edge finding, and do almost the same as you do, but like your rechecking ,

[@KnoxMachining]

I don’t. But I’ll see about doing one in the future. The SDM function would be what you want to use. I always double check. Better accuracy. Yes, the Chinese manuals are very hard to read.

[@charleshanse8573]

what is t SDM function for?

[@KnoxMachining]

SDM stands for second data memory. It’s extra pages in the DRO to allow you to do operations among multiple fixtures and maintain coordinates relative to each sdm page. Very handy for production or repetitive work when using multiple fixtures.