Other Legacy Brand Scale Pinouts
This section covers pinouts for various other manufacturers and legacy DRO systems that you might encounter. While less common, these scales can often be adapted for use with TouchDRO.
Newall Scales
Newall spherosyn and microsyn scales:
Spherosyn Scales (9-pin)
| Pin | Signal | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | +5V | Power supply positive |
| 2 | 0V | Power supply ground |
| 3 | SIN+ | Sine signal positive |
| 4 | SIN- | Sine signal negative |
| 5 | COS+ | Cosine signal positive |
| 6 | COS- | Cosine signal negative |
| 7 | REF+ | Reference mark positive |
| 8 | REF- | Reference mark negative |
| 9 | Shield | Cable shield |
Microsyn Scales (15-pin)
Similar to spherosyn but with additional pins for diagnostics and temperature compensation.
Fagor Automation
Fagor linear and rotary encoders:
Standard Incremental (9-pin D-sub)
| Pin | Signal | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | +5V | Power supply positive |
| 2 | A+ | Phase A positive |
| 3 | A- | Phase A negative |
| 4 | B+ | Phase B positive |
| 5 | B- | Phase B negative |
| 6 | I+ | Index pulse positive |
| 7 | I- | Index pulse negative |
| 8 | 0V | Power supply ground |
| 9 | Shield | Cable shield |
Acu-Rite (Heidenhain)
Acu-Rite scales (now part of Heidenhain):
SENC Series (Incremental)
- Similar pinout to standard Heidenhain scales
- 9-pin D-sub for incremental quadrature
- RS422 differential outputs
- Compatible with TouchDRO TDA-4xx series
Anilam/Hurco Legacy
Older Anilam and Hurco DRO scales:
Crusader Series
| Pin | Signal | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | +12V | Power supply positive (note: 12V!) |
| 2 | 0V | Power supply ground |
| 3 | A | Phase A (TTL) |
| 4 | B | Phase B (TTL) |
| 5 | I | Index pulse (if present) |
| 6-9 | Various | Unused or special functions |
Warning: Anilam scales often use 12V power supply. Verify voltage before connecting to TouchDRO!
Bridgeport/Hardinge
Legacy machine tool scales:
Boss Series DRO Scales
- Various connector types (often proprietary)
- May use non-standard voltages
- Often require custom interface circuits
- Check documentation carefully before connecting
Sargon/EMS
European DRO manufacturer scales:
Standard Linear Scales
- Usually follow Heidenhain-compatible pinouts
- 9-pin or 15-pin D-sub connectors
- RS422 differential or TTL single-ended
- Generally compatible with TouchDRO
Compatibility Guidelines
Power Supply Considerations
- 5V scales: Most common, directly compatible
- 12V scales: Need voltage regulation (Anilam, some legacy)
- 24V scales: Industrial systems, need level conversion
- Always verify voltage before connecting!
Signal Types
- TTL (0-5V): Compatible with most TouchDRO adapters
- RS422 differential: Preferred for noise immunity
- Analog (sin/cos): Requires TDA-4xx with appropriate firmware
- Proprietary digital: May not be supported
Reverse Engineering Unknown Scales
Step-by-Step Process
- Identify connector: Count pins, note connector type
- Check power: Use multimeter to find power pins
- Test signals: Move scale and probe for changing signals
- Verify phase relationship: Ensure A/B are 90° out of phase
- Check direction: Verify signal sequence for movement direction
Safety Precautions
- Always start with low voltage (3.3V or 5V)
- Use current-limited power supplies
- Check for shorts before applying power
- Document your findings for future reference
Adapter Solutions
Voltage Level Conversion
- 12V to 5V: Use voltage regulators (7805, etc.)
- 24V to 5V: Switching regulators recommended
- Signal levels: Use level shifters for non-TTL signals
Signal Conditioning
- Single-ended to differential: Use line drivers
- Differential to single-ended: Use line receivers
- Noise filtering: Add capacitors and ferrite beads
TouchDRO Compatibility Summary
Fully Compatible
- 5V TTL quadrature scales
- RS422 differential quadrature scales
- Standard Heidenhain-compatible scales
Compatible with Modifications
- 12V scales (with voltage regulation)
- Non-standard connector types (with adapters)
- Single-ended signals (may need conditioning)
Limited or No Compatibility
- Proprietary digital protocols
- Very high voltage scales (>24V)
- Scales requiring specialized interfaces
Documentation Resources
- Manufacturer service manuals
- Machine tool documentation
- Online forums and communities
- TouchDRO user groups
Getting Help
If you have a legacy scale not covered here:
- Post photos and details on TouchDRO forums
- Contact TouchDRO support with scale information
- Check with the original machine manufacturer
- Consider professional reverse engineering services