TouchDRO Compatibility by Manufacturer
Quick reference for TouchDRO compatibility organized by scale manufacturer. Find your brand and see what works with TouchDRO adapters.
Chinese Manufacturers
✅ Ditron - Excellent Compatibility
- DG series glass scales: ✅ All TouchDRO adapters
- Signal type: TTL quadrature (standard pinout)
- Connectors: 9-pin D-sub (standard)
- Notes: The gold standard for compatibility
✅ Easson - Excellent Compatibility
- GS series scales: ✅ All TouchDRO adapters
- Signal type: TTL quadrature
- Connectors: 9-pin D-sub
- Notes: Follows Ditron-compatible standard
✅ Generic Chinese - Excellent Compatibility
- eBay/AliExpress scales: ✅ Most work with all adapters
- Signal type: Usually TTL quadrature
- Connectors: 9-pin D-sub (99% of cases)
- Notes: Follow generic Chinese pinout guide
✅ Sino - Good Compatibility
- Most models: ✅ Compatible with TouchDRO
- Signal type: TTL quadrature
- Notes: Some models may have variations
European Manufacturers
⚠️ Heidenhain - Mixed Compatibility
- Incremental scales (LS, LB series): ✅ All TouchDRO adapters
- Analog scales (LIF, LIP, LIC series): ⚠️ TDA-4xx only
- EnDat protocol scales: ❌ Limited support
- Connectors: 9-pin (incremental), 15-pin (analog)
- Notes: Check signal type before purchasing
⚠️ Renishaw - Mixed Compatibility
- TONiC incremental: ✅ All TouchDRO adapters
- TONiC analog: ⚠️ TDA-4xx only
- RESOLUTE (BiSS protocol): ❌ Not supported
- Legacy RGH series: ✅ Usually compatible
- Notes: Verify signal type and protocol
✅ Fagor - Good Compatibility
- Linear encoders: ✅ Most compatible with TouchDRO
- Rotary encoders: ✅ Standard quadrature types work
- Signal type: Usually RS422 quadrature
- Notes: Generally follow standard pinouts
Japanese Manufacturers
⚠️ Mitutoyo - Varies by Series
AT1xx Series (Analog)
- Compatibility: ⚠️ TDA-4xx only
- Signal type: Sin/cos analog
- Models: AT100, AT115, etc.
AT2xx Series (Digital Quadrature)
- Compatibility: ✅ All TouchDRO adapters
- Signal type: RS422 quadrature
- Models: AT200, AT215, etc.
AT7xx Series (Proprietary Digital)
- Compatibility: ❌ Limited support
- Signal type: Proprietary serial protocol
- Models: AT700, AT715, etc.
Digimatic Devices
- Compatibility: ⚠️ TDA-4xx only
- Signal type: Digimatic serial protocol
- Devices: Calipers, height gauges, indicators
⚠️ Magnescale (Sony) - Mixed Compatibility
- Incremental scales: ✅ All TouchDRO adapters
- Analog scales: ⚠️ TDA-4xx only
- Absolute encoders: ❌ Limited support
- Signal types: Quadrature, sin/cos, or proprietary
American/Other Manufacturers
⚠️ Newall - Mixed Compatibility
- Spherosyn scales: ⚠️ TDA-4xx only (analog)
- Microsyn scales: ⚠️ TDA-4xx only (analog)
- Digital scales: ✅ Usually compatible
- Notes: Older scales often use analog signals
✅ iGaging - Good Compatibility
- Digital scales: ✅ TDA-4xx and DIY iGaging adapters
- Calipers: ✅ Compatible with SPC adapters
- Signal type: iGaging SPC protocol
- Notes: 21-bit and 24-bit variants
✅ Shahe - Good Compatibility
- Digital calipers: ✅ TDA-4xx and DIY Shahe adapters
- DRO scales: ✅ Compatible with SPC adapters
- Signal type: Shahe SPC protocol (24-bit)
- Notes: Budget-friendly option
❌ Anilam/Hurco - Poor Compatibility
- Legacy scales: ⚠️ May work with modifications
- Power requirements: Often 12V (not 5V)
- Signal type: TTL quadrature (non-standard voltage)
- Notes: Requires voltage conversion
❌ Acu-Rite (Legacy) - Limited Compatibility
- Modern scales: ✅ Now Heidenhain-compatible
- Legacy scales: ⚠️ May require modifications
- Notes: Check if scale is pre- or post-Heidenhain acquisition
Compatibility Summary Table
| Manufacturer | TDA-4xx | DIY Glass | DIY SPC | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese (Ditron, Easson, etc.) | ✅ Excellent | ✅ Excellent | ❌ No | Standard quadrature |
| Heidenhain Incremental | ✅ Excellent | ✅ Good | ❌ No | RS422 quadrature |
| Heidenhain Analog | ✅ Good | ❌ No | ❌ No | Sin/cos signals |
| Mitutoyo AT2xx | ✅ Excellent | ✅ Good | ❌ No | RS422 quadrature |
| Mitutoyo AT1xx | ✅ Good | ❌ No | ❌ No | Sin/cos signals |
| Mitutoyo Digimatic | ✅ Good | ❌ No | ❌ No | Special protocol |
| iGaging | ✅ Excellent | ❌ No | ✅ Excellent | SPC protocol |
| Shahe | ✅ Excellent | ❌ No | ✅ Excellent | SPC protocol |
| Renishaw TONiC | ✅ Good | ⚠️ Varies | ❌ No | Check signal type |
| Magnescale | ✅ Good | ⚠️ Varies | ❌ No | Check signal type |
Before You Buy
Questions to Ask
- What's the manufacturer and model number?
- What type of connector does it have?
- What's the power requirement? (5V, 12V, 24V?)
- What type of output signals? (Quadrature, analog, serial?)
- Do you have documentation or a datasheet?
Red Flags
- Power requirements other than 5V
- Proprietary connectors or protocols
- No documentation available
- Very old or obsolete scales
- Scales from defunct manufacturers
Getting Help
If your manufacturer isn't listed or you're unsure about compatibility:
- Post on TouchDRO forums with scale photos and markings
- Check the pinout library for similar scales
- Use the reverse engineering guide
- Contact TouchDRO support with specific model information