Implementation of 4 axes digital read out(DRO) as an embedded system for machine tools

This paper is concerned with the design and implementation of an embedded system for automated reading of axes positions in machine tools. The system is known as DRO (Digital Read Out). Many workshops in industries still use manual machine tools such as lathe and milling machine to machining workpieces. The accuracy of such manual machine tools depends much on the reading accuracy of the operator operating them. As its consequence, the quality of the final workpieces decreases as operator makes accumulated mistakes in reading the axis. This problem can be reduced by using digital read out (DRO), that results in a more accurate and faster axes reading for a better and faster workpieces machining. In this paper, 4 axes DRO is designed using seven segment display. The 4 axes consist of 6 digits for x, y, z axis respectively, and 4 digits for the spindle speed. Seven-segment of 1 inch size for high visibility is used and is driven with some integrated circuits such as BCD to seven segment decoder and ULN2003 transistor. A multiplexing technique is selected to controls the display system. The embedded control is implemented in a microcontroller Atmega128. The novelty lies in the low cost, good accuracy, and is designed with embedded system design approach in mechatronics.