digi counter for winder

[pickupjunkie]

I have looked everywhere for a simple digi rotation counter to use on my home brew winder to no avail. Anyone have a source for one of these they would like to share.
Thanks

[David Schwab]

There are a few threads in the Tools and Coil Winding Gear
section.

You wont find a ready made counter, but it's not a hard thing to do. People mostly use magnets and reed switches along with CUB counters.

[belwar]

I have looked everywhere for a simple digi rotation counter to use on my home brew winder to no avail. Anyone have a source for one of these they would like to share.
Thanks

It really depends what you want to pay.. if cost is not an issue then there is an out of the box setup that works like a hot damn. I bought a PAXLCR counter from Red Lion Controls and one of thier Thru-Bore Encoders. Basically you just put the encoder on your bobbin shaft and go. It's the highest accuracy method you can get .. not that +/-0.0000001 accuracy matters all that much :/ However the setup cost me 300 dollars.

Search for a CUB3 or CUB5 on e-bay, that is a great counter and when you find them used they co go pretty cheap. You have several options for sensors including Reed Switches, Hall Sensors, Optical Switches, Encoders, etc. I went with the encoder because it was simple to use and accurate, just expensive.

[dinger]

I had the same question about a month ago and successfully bread-boarded an optical counter. I thought I would share what I found (trolling about this fine forum).

Sources:
(Thanks Yves, Chevalij, and John_H)
http://music-electronics-forum.com/s...?p=1433&page=2

(I used the first circuit)
http://hades.mech.northwestern.edu/w.../Optoreflector

(counter)
http://www.digikey.com/scripts/DkSea...?name=RLC03-ND

(sensor)
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/Dk...ame=QRB1114-ND

I got fancy and added a simple voltage divider to get 5v and 1.5v from my spare 8v wall wort. I plan to install it on a cheap variable speed lathe I bought from Menards ($129). I should be able to mount the sensor pointing at the spinning shaft. I'll put a white dot of paint or something to trigger the sensor. So far it counts my fingers well. I was so excited I showed it to the wife and kids.

Funny, no one else saw the value in using gadgetry to count fingers.

[Possum]

....

McMaster has counters that are mechanical, search for "rotating shaft counters" on their website, they are about the same price as the eletronic counters. The downside to the electronic counters is accuracy in your input, I think you have to use a capacitor or something across the reed switch because they can bounce at higher speeds and give inaccurate results. My Adams Maxwell winders have mechanical counters built like a tank and I love them, stupid simple and reliable.

[belwar]

I have used a mechanical counter before. its great for a basic winder, they just don't have auto stop. basically they have a shaft sticking out and you either mount it directly into the center of you faceplate shaft, or you can use a pulley or gear at 1:1.. the size of the pulley on the faceplate shaft needs to be the exact same size as the pulley mounted on the counter or your count will be off drastically.

[belwar]

I found the pictures of my old winder .. Here you can see the counter and the pulley arrangement .. Thought you might enjoy them!

b.

[David Schwab]

I found the pictures of my old winder .. Here you can see the counter and the pulley arrangement .. Thought you might enjoy them!

b.

Cool! You make some nice machines.

[jonson]

uk

Not sure where you are Junkie but there is a Brit company that ships worlwide doing both mechanical and digital counters as well as encoders thats worth looking at. I have a couple of their mechanical counters and set up right are very accurate.

http://www.countersales.co.uk/index....s&GKW=trumeter

[Possum]

...

Of course mechanical winders have auto stop, McMaster sells them, my Adams Maxwell has it built in, I only really use it for reverse winds when the counter does backwards counting. McMaster has several with relays on them, they are more expensive. But, yeah you have to figure out a 1:1 pulley ratio to get accurate counts....

[J-chot]

http://www.neufeld.newton.ks.us/electronics/?p=137

This guy made a counter out of a rice-crispies pedometer! simply replace the weight/metal contact switch with some wire leads, hover 2 pieces of metal above a bump on the axel, and there you go!

[StarryNight]

i'm quite fond of my Veeder-Root although my next winder will probably be electronic...

[Spence]

http://www.neufeld.newton.ks.us/electronics/?p=137

This guy made a counter out of a rice-crispies pedometer! simply replace the weight/metal contact switch with some wire leads, hover 2 pieces of metal above a bump on the axel, and there you go!

I'd be caustious about buying a Mickey Mouse counter. does he do watches too?