[bkenobi]

My mill uses a RPi4 with the latest 64-bit release of PlanetCNC. For initial setup I have been using a LCD display connected to the HDMI port on the RPi but am planning on using a tablet to interface with the mill eventually. The RPi is set up to connect to a wireless router in my shop (currently not connected to my main router or the internet). The tablet connects to the router and uses a VNC app (AVNC) to connect to the RPi. I currently can control the RPi with either a wireless keyboard/mouse combo which is connected via USB dongle to the RPi or via the tablet using touch screen.

This seems to work reasonably well with a couple exceptions I just noticed.

1) When I am using the tablet to control TNG if I attempt to use the jog control touching and holding the direction triggers the same as a quick click of the mouse. As a result, the spindle shifts a very short distance. It is much further than the step but does not function like I would have expected. It is possible this is how the VNC is set up so this may not be something that TNG can do anything about.

2) When using the mouse and the HDMI screen to jog the spindle, all works as expected. Holding the mouse button on the jog button moves the spindle quickly and stops as soon as I release the button. If no monitor is connected and I am using the tablet only for display and use the mouse to jog the spindle, pressing the jog button moves the spindle but rather erratically. Quickly pressing and releasing the jog will either do nothing or it will move approximately 1". It is not predictable which, but it is impossible to do anything other than slightly more than a step and around 1". It is impossible to move to a desired location without under/overshooting the mark. Also, since I don't have limit switches on my machine this leads to the possibility of a crash or requires me to use a smaller usable area.

I can provide any logs that might help explain the behavior. I didn't see a location of such a log in the profile directory but will look again when I get a chance. If a video would help I can do that too.

EDIT: I am also open to using a handwheel but since this is my first CNC mill I wanted to get a little time under my belt prior to making another big purchase. In either case, I want to make sure the mill works as intended prior to adding more components to it.

[ScorpionTDL]

VNC can introduce quiet an big amount of lag. If everything is working correctly with a Monitor and Keyboard attached the PI itself its VNC related.
I run VNC on my system as well, but only for remote monitoring not work working with the system. If you wanny fully utilize the system you need to have a Moninor attached to the PI.

[fhyndoh]

This is an issue in your vnc setup.

Whem you press a keyboard button the kb sends a signal once the key is presssed and another when it is released. A lot of these virtual keyboards send an instance of a keypress as if you had tapped a key once. Vnc may be able to code this, many softwares cannot sadly.

[bkenobi]

Yes, I figured the issue with the VNC control was because of lag and that makes sense. If there is no solution, that's unfortunate but not unexpected. For the case where I was controlling the mill with the physical keyboard and only displaying with either the wired monitor or the VNC tablet, I was surprised that the VNC seemed to cause lag for the keyboard input as well. If that is the case, then I may need to see if there is a way to get a wireless monitor connected to the RPi as I am trying to limit the cables into the controller box to what is absolutely necessary. Right now, that is already 8 connections for the 4 motors, spindle, 2 pumps, and power. I was considering something to expose a USB port when needed. I was hoping to avoid the HDMI primarily because there is no way to make that water/dust/metal chip proof. The USB could be capped after transferring files to the RPi but the monitor would need to remain connected.

[fhyndoh]

amphenol and several other manufacturers make ruggedised HDMI connectors and cables.

M

[bkenobi]

Has anyone tried wireless hdmi? I've been reading that using miracast may work with RPi OS and, if so, would eliminate the need for a wire through the enclosure. It would have some latency but I am not planning on playing games obviously so seems like it might be an option as long as it doesn't interfere with the TNG software. I'm still looking into this so perhaps there are other drawbacks I'm not aware of.

[bkenobi]

I looked for waterproof panel mount HDMI connectors a few months ago and found many options. What I did not find was a mating cable that would maintain the waterproof when the cable was attached. I will look again though. I think having an HDMI connector on the enclosure is a good idea but it would only be usable for testing if there is no way to connect a cable that mates to the connector threads.

[Teddy38]

Wireless HDMI cable, little latency and no need for wifi with its wireless keyboard.
Cable of his type know top
https://amzn.eu/d/5VXXyqq

[bkenobi]

Wireless HDMI cable, little latency and no need for wifi with its wireless keyboard.
Cable of his type know top
https://amzn.eu/d/5VXXyqq

I was looking at that type of cable. It seemed some required software and some were independent. I'll have to see if I can find something similar in the US.

[bkenobi]

The keyboard is a Logitech K400r which operate on 2.4GHz. I found a usb mouse but couldn't find a usb keyboard. I have one at work that I can try this weekend.

I tried the usb mouse this evening and all worked well. I tried the wireless keyboard/mouse again to confirm and it also worked great. I wonder if the keyboard frequency shifts slightly (channels) each time it's used. The WiFi is set to auto channel so perhaps it was interference and based on my wifi settings and the operation of the keyboard creating random interfere. Looks like if that's the case, I may need a different keyboard or to bite the bullet on purchasing the wireless pendant.