This is rarely the console. It is usually "skip" caused by oil, coolant, or metal chips on the glass scale. Clean the scale carefully with isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth.
The left-most digit on the X-axis can set the console to default to Inch or MM upon power-up. Maintenance and Troubleshooting
: Moving the table 0.200 inches causes the display to indicate 0.400 inches (or a similar factor).
For lathe applications, some A163 models allow you to toggle the X-axis to display diameter (2:1 ratio), though this is often set via internal jumpers on the circuit board. Maintenance and Troubleshooting
The console uses a dedicated keypad for basic dimensional calculations and setup. Anilam MiniWizard | PDF - Scribd anilam mini wizard a163 manual
Automatically calculates the center point between two points.
Toggle between inches ( INC ) and millimeters ( MM ) by pressing the MM/IN key.
: Community members frequently share scanned PDFs of these out-of-print manuals.
This is often caused by a failing backlight or a dying power supply capacitor. Opening the unit and inspecting the power supply board for bulging capacitors is a good first step. Replacement capacitors can be soldered in by anyone with basic electronics experience. This is rarely the console
Position the tool at the desired zero point and press the zero button.
Move the machine exactly 10.000 inches using a physical dial indicator or standard block. Compare the physical distance to the DRO readout.
Press the RESET button to zero out an axis. To zero both simultaneously, some versions use RESET, Y, RESET . Configuration & Parameter Setup
: Clears an erroneous numeric entry or resets the selected axis value to zero. Operational Procedures Basic Zeroing The left-most digit on the X-axis can set
Owning a machine with an A163 today often means inheriting a unit with a faded display or sticky buttons. The manual becomes a restoration guide. It allows a new generation to resurrect these "iron lungs" of the machine shop, bypassing the planned obsolescence of modern touchscreens.
: Changes the value polarity (positive or negative).
Comprehensive Guide to the Anilam Mini Wizard A163 Digital Readout (DRO) Manual
Disclaimer: Anilam, Hexagon Metrology, and Acu-Rite are registered trademarks of their respective owners. This article is for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Anilam or Hexagon.
Typically supports .0005" or .0002" (and metric equivalents).
