In metal cutting, the positioning accuracy of the machine tool's feed axis directly determines the dimensional tolerance and surface quality of the work piece. MIRAN Technology's WDL series rod-type linear displacement sensors (electronic rulers), with their high precision, oil resistance, and compact structure, have become a reliable choice for position feedback on feed axes in metal cutting machine tools (such as lathes, milling machines, and grinders).
Stringent Requirements of Machine Tools for Displacement Sensors
During machining, metal cutting machine tools face splashing coolant (oil/water), falling metal chips, and continuous vibration from spindle rotation. Traditional contact measurement solutions are easily disturbed by oil and chips, leading to signal jumps or wear. While optical encoders offer high precision, they have extremely strict installation requirements and high failure rates in mid-to-low-end machine tools with heavy oil contamination.
The WDL series operates on the potentiometric principle. The rod is connected to the machine's moving parts via ball joints at both ends. The housing is made of anodized aluminum alloy, providing strong contamination resistance. After signal conversion by a V/A module, it outputs standard 4-20mA or 0-10V signals that can directly connect to the machine's CNC system or digital display for real-time position monitoring and control.
Core Application Scenarios
1. Longitudinal/Cross Feed Digital Display for Conventional Lathes
In CNC retrofits or digital display upgrades for conventional lathes, WDL electronic rulers are installed beneath the saddle (longitudinal) and cross slide (transverse). Operators can read the tool's feed coordinates in real time via the digital display, replacing traditional hand wheels and significantly improving dimensional consistency and machining efficiency.
2. Milling Machine Table Position Feedback
On vertical or turret milling machines, the WDL electronic ruler is mounted on the side of the worktable to provide real-time linear displacement feedback for the X or Y axis. The universal ball joints at both ends of the rod effectively absorb installation misalignment, preventing lateral forces from causing sensor binding or damage.
3. Grinder Wheel head Feed Control
In surface or cylindrical grinders, the micron-level feed of the wheel head demands extremely high sensor resolution. The WDL series offers infinite resolution. Combined with a high-rigidity rod, it provides smooth, jump-free voltage output during micro-feeds, ensuring precise control of grinding dimensions.
Technical Advantages
Machine Tool Pain Points | WDL Series Features | Value |
Coolant and chip splashing | Anodized aluminum housing + IP65 protection | Oil and water resistant, prevents internal corrosion |
Limited installation space | Compact structure, rod-type design | Fits limited internal machine space |
Vibration causing data jumps | High repeatability (0.01mm) | Ensures stable closed-loop control |
Integration with various CNC systems | Supports 4-20mA / 0-10V / RS485 | High compatibility, no complex adapters needed |
Practical Application Value
MIRAN WDL series electronic rulers are widely used for position measurement in various metal cutting machine tools. By mounting directly on machine guide ways or moving parts, they provide precise and stable absolute displacement data for CNC systems or digital displays. Under harsh conditions such as oil contamination and vibration, their stable signal output effectively reduces machine downtime and serves as a practical sensing component for improving the machining accuracy and production efficiency of domestic machine tools.
For more product details and pricing, please contact Doris at sales9@miran-tech.com or +86-18038186775.