08-23-2017, 02:46 PM
The tach is just an input. You will have to enable it and set the pulses per revolution in TouchDRO. If there's a valid signal on the input you will be in business.
I used a cheap IR transmitter-receiver board and retro-reflective tape on my lathe spindle. I used small bits of the tape that came with my Pyle laser tachometer, but have since bought more since it's readily available. I put six pieces of tape on my spindle which provided pretty close to a 50% duty cycle and good frequency resolution at low speed. It was a little finicky getting it aligned and the sensitivity adjusted, but has been working great since. You will have to decide based on your machine.
I used a cheap IR transmitter-receiver board and retro-reflective tape on my lathe spindle. I used small bits of the tape that came with my Pyle laser tachometer, but have since bought more since it's readily available. I put six pieces of tape on my spindle which provided pretty close to a 50% duty cycle and good frequency resolution at low speed. It was a little finicky getting it aligned and the sensitivity adjusted, but has been working great since. You will have to decide based on your machine.