I'm planning to install an optical scale DRO sensor to the cross-slide of a lathe, is there a rule of thumb when deciding whether to attach the scale (the long part), or the head (the short part) to the lathe's measured moving part, the cross-slide in this case?
I'm inclined to mount the head to the carriage and the scale to the cross-slide. It's easier for me to see which one should go where when the scale is very long compared to the head, as in a carriage travel DRO; with this one the head is 1/3 the length of the scale i.e., it's short.
In any event, my thought is to take the approach which affords the most protection for the device from swarf, minimizes compromising lathe travel and clearance specifications, and interferes the least with the lathe's operational controls.
I still have this feeling I may be missing something more important, which is why I ask.
I'm inclined to mount the head to the carriage and the scale to the cross-slide. It's easier for me to see which one should go where when the scale is very long compared to the head, as in a carriage travel DRO; with this one the head is 1/3 the length of the scale i.e., it's short.
In any event, my thought is to take the approach which affords the most protection for the device from swarf, minimizes compromising lathe travel and clearance specifications, and interferes the least with the lathe's operational controls.
I still have this feeling I may be missing something more important, which is why I ask.