In the cluttered workshop of a small precision machining business, a legacy machine sat dormant. It was a Bridgeport Series I mill, fitted with an Anilam Mini Wizard digital readout (DRO) model A163. The problem wasn’t mechanical—the ways were oiled, the spindle turned freely, and the table glided. The problem was the manual.
Radius/Diameter Mode: If using the unit on a lathe, ensure the X-axis is set to DIAMETER mode so that a 0.500" movement shows as 1.000" on the screen. Troubleshooting & Maintenance
Over time, glass scales may have minor inaccuracies. The A163 allows you to input a correction factor (%). anilam mini wizard a163 manual top
Linear Error Compensation: Allows operators to correct for inherent machine inaccuracies, improving overall part precision. Purchasing & Maintenance
If you are operating or restoring an A163, these specific parameters are the most critical "hidden" functions usually found in the manual: Setting Digit Functionality Key Values Rightmost (1 & 2) Resolution 1μm (0,0), 2μm (0,1), 5μm (1,0), 10μm (1,1) 3rd from Right Rad/Dia Mode 1 = Radius (Mill); 0 = Diameter (Lathe) 4th from Right Change 0 or 1 to reverse counting direction Leftmost (X axis) 1 = Boots to Inches; 0 = Boots to mm Manual & Support Resources In the cluttered workshop of a small precision
Display Errors: If the unit is "frozen" or showing gibberish, perform a "hard reset" by unplugging the power cord, waiting 30 seconds, and plugging it back in.
Warning: This will erase all your settings. Only do this if you are prepared to recalibrate. The problem was the manual
Radius/Diameter Mode: Essential for lathe work, allowing you to switch how the cross-slide travel is displayed.
If you’ve recently acquired an older knee mill or are trying to keep a trusted workhorse running in your shop, you might find yourself staring at a green-phosphor screen labeled Anilam Mini Wizard A163.