Is TouchDRO Right for You?

Commercial DRO displays have improved in some ways over the decades, but many still feel dated in everyday use. A lot of lower-cost import units now have color LCD screens, yet the underlying user interface is often clunky, slow to respond, and limited to fixed layouts and tiny soft keys. Even many mid-range DRO units are built around the same basic box-on-the-wall concept that works well for simple one-off jobs in a production shop, but is less comfortable when you’re doing more involved work on a manual machine.

Hobbyists, makers, and small prototyping shops often have to make do with smaller, lighter machines and limited tooling, but still need to create parts that many commercial shops would not consider machining manually. TouchDRO is designed from the ground up to help with that kind of work.

Because TouchDRO is a software application running on modern Android hardware, it can provide capabilities that go beyond a traditional stand-alone DRO box. At the same time, it is a modular, do-it-yourself-friendly system, which comes with real benefits and a few tradeoffs. To decide if TouchDRO is a good fit for your needs, it helps to look at the key advantages and drawbacks of the system.

TouchDRO Benefits

Versatility

TouchDRO is not constrained by a fixed front panel, so its user interface can be configured for your specific machine and workflow. The number of axis readouts, display format, and many aspects of the layout can be adjusted from within the application in a few taps. The scale adapter hardware is modular and decoupled from the display, which allows TouchDRO to work with a wide range of modern glass and magnetic scales, many capacitive scales, and specialized encoders. As a result, a TouchDRO system can be adapted to many different machine configurations instead of being tied to a single layout and use case.

Ease of Use

TouchDRO's touchscreen user interface is designed to be clear and task-focused. The most frequently used functions are kept close at hand, and dialogs are intended to be self-explanatory. Graphical layout preview lets you check complex hole patterns or pockets on the screen before cutting metal, which helps catch mistakes early. In everyday use this reduces button-pushing, simplifies more involved operations, and helps cut down on common operator errors.

Advanced Functionality

Even a modest Android tablet has far more processing power, memory, and storage than a traditional DRO. TouchDRO takes advantage of this by offering features such as large numbers of saved coordinates, tool and job memories, and on-the-fly calculations without loss of precision. This allows you to keep more information in the DRO itself instead of juggling paper notes, calculators, and separate tooling lists.

Great Value for Every Budget

Many of the functions TouchDRO offers are normally found only on higher-end DRO units. Because the system is modular and built around commodity hardware, you can choose how much to spend on scales, tablet, and adapter and reuse equipment you already have. A TouchDRO setup can often be put together for a cost similar to an entry-level import DRO, while offering more flexibility and room to grow.

Accessibility Features

The TouchDRO application is built with accessibility in mind. Button size, spacing, readout font, and other visual elements are chosen to be usable by people with reduced vision or motor skills, and a larger tablet screen can make axis positions much easier to see at a glance. Combined with Android's built-in accessibility features, TouchDRO can make shop work more comfortable for a wider range of users.

Drawbacks

Unfamiliar User Interface

TouchDRO's user interface is different from many other DRO units on the market and can be unfamiliar to someone who is used to a traditional digital readout display. Lack of tactile feedback and a multi-touch display might feel unnatural, especially if you don't use a smartphone or a tablet day-to-day. This means that one will need to adjust to the new way of doing things and possibly unlearn some old habits.

Requires More Effort to Build

TouchDRO is not a single sealed box that bolts to the machine and is ready to go out of the carton. You will still need to select and install suitable scales, choose or mount an adapter, and go through the initial configuration of the app. None of these steps are difficult if you follow the guides in the Getting Started with TouchDRO section, but putting together a complete system generally takes more planning and setup than unboxing an off-the-shelf DRO.

No Professional Support Network

TouchDRO is not backed by a large corporation with a sales force and a staffed call center. If you run into problems with your setup, you will be relying on the documentation, community resources, and direct email support rather than a service department that can send a technician to your shop. On the plus side, when you purchase a pre-assembled adapter you are dealing with a small family business, and your emails go directly to the person who designed and built the hardware. Regardless of when you purchased it, we will do our best to help resolve any issues with your adapter.

Summary

TouchDRO is aimed at people who want more from a digital readout than simple position display. By combining a modern touch-based interface with modular hardware and commodity Android tablets, it offers functionality and flexibility that go beyond a typical stand-alone DRO, especially on manual mills and lathes used for more complex work.

If you use your manual milling machine or lathe for simple operations and just want basic position readout with as little setup as possible, an inexpensive import DRO may be a more straightforward choice. On the other hand, if you frequently push the limits of your manual machines, make more involved parts, and are comfortable with a bit of configuration and learning, TouchDRO is likely a good fit. It can streamline many routine tasks, make it easier to switch between jobs, store complex layouts, and generally make your time in the shop more productive and enjoyable.