[hoss2006]

I received my little enclosures from Pac Tec, think I'll use the ABS-94HB.
It has just enough room for the keypad and the game controller circuit board inside.
I'll label the keys myself, gives jog and joystick functions and the same probing buttons from my screen sets.
I can easily remap them at any time if necessary for other functions.
Hoss

[Bob Adams]

I received my little enclosures from Pac Tec, think I'll use the ABS-94HB.
It has just enough room for the keypad and the game controller circuit board inside.
I'll label the keys myself, gives jog and joystick functions and the same probing buttons from my screen sets.
I can easily remap them at any time if necessary for other functions.
Hoss

Hey, Great Idea! :cheers:Where did you buy the key board?
Bob A
www.cad2gcode.com/freeprogram

[Adam Baker]

Hoss, I was just curious, have you ever considered using a touch screen monitor for your control?

I run a cnc machine for a living, that uses a Windows based OAC control, and it has a touch screen monitor, which makes things really nice. I looked at several of your videos and such that you have on your site, and was thinking that a touch screen could work very well for your system.

[hoss2006]

Hey Bob, the key pad is from an old Dell keypad I had laying around, i'll ad a switch matrix under it.

Hey Adam,
I've priced touch screens a couple times but it's not worth it to me for something I'd have to
clean my greasy paw prints off all the time.
Hoss

[hoss2006]

I managed to get a little mill time and cut out the keypad, LED and Joy holes.
The pics just show a mockup.
Hoss

[rwestbr]

THANK YOU HOSS for sharing all these COOL projects!!!!They are not only COOL but very useful.....I know every time I setup my machine using your auto probe screens I think to myself THANKS HOSS!!!

Robert

[Bob Adams]

Hey Bob, the key pad is from an old Dell keypad I had laying around, i'll ad a switch matrix under it.

Hey Adam,
I've priced touch screens a couple times but it's not worth it to me for something I'd have to
clean my greasy paw prints off all the time.
Hoss

Hoss, I guess I'm in the dark on this one. What's switch matrix?
Bob A

[hoss2006]

Your welcome Robert, glad I found erniebros and greolts probing threads,
it's been a big time saver.
Bob, I'm gonna go with a dumber array of micro switches instead.
I can just wire them to the game controllers circuit board switch inputs.
I have just enough (19) little switches to do the job, just solder them to a piece of perf board.
Hoss

[Bob Adams]

Your welcome Robert, glad I found erniebros and greolts probing threads,
it's been a big time saver.
Bob, I'm gonna go with a dumber array of micro switches instead.
I can just wire them to the game controllers circuit board switch inputs.
I have just enough (19) little switches to do the job, just solder them to a piece of perf board.
Hoss

Sounds good to me.:wee: Looking forward to any more input.
You got great ideas, keep it up.
Bob A
www.cad2gcode.com/cncprojects

[rwestbr]

Your welcome Robert, glad I found erniebros and greolts probing threads,
it's been a big time saver.
Bob, I'm gonna go with a dumber array of micro switches instead.
I can just wire them to the game controllers circuit board switch inputs.
I have just enough (19) little switches to do the job, just solder them to a piece of perf board.
Hoss

Hey Hoss if your looking for a MULTI AXIS (up to 5 (FREE) CAD\CAM solution check out CNC TOOL KIT.

http://www.cnc-toolkit.com/

Rob

[hoss2006]

Hey Hoss if your looking for a MULTI AXIS (up to 5 (FREE) CAD\CAM solution check out CNC TOOL KIT.

http://www.cnc-toolkit.com/

Rob

I recommended that program to someone a few days ago that was asking about 5 axis control, I've downloaded it before but never tried it out yet.
One of these days.
Hoss

[hoss2006]

I finally added my 2nd photo interrupter (NTE3100) to the lathe/4th axis.
I have the 1st on the spindle so now both will be capable of threading, rpm output and homing.
I put a switch on the console to select between the 2 so I only needed one C3 board.
The 4th axis is getting an update, I'll be making some new timing pulleys to change from a 1.8:1 ratio to a 4:1.
I put the original 3 inch chuck back on so I can use the 4 inch on the rotary 4th axis.
These photo interrupters work fine as home switches, they both will be away from any flood coolant that could interfere.
I'll be able to home the spindle soon and that will give me spindle orientation for upcoming projects.
I may add another slot in the disc if it won't matter if it's out by 180 degrees or not. Would be faster.
It's not getting converted to BT30 but it would be another use for orientation.
Hoss

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJgh8DUfhfE&feature=channel_page"]YouTube - Lathe 4th Axis Indexer Home Switch[/ame]

[kawazuki]

Forgive me for asking but how will you achieve spindle positioning with a regular ac/dc motor? Surely that requires a positional motor? Or were you refering to your spindle attachment tapping solution?

[BobWarfield]

Very nice!

Looking for some more resolution on the 4th axis, eh?

Best,

BW

[fretsman]

Hoss,

That should be very handy, may I ask what part number opto you used and how it's wired?

Thanks,
Dave

[hoss2006]

kawasuki,
I'll be using my permanent tapping attachment coming soon.

Bob, I want more torque so a higher ratio will let me drop the microstepping and keep the same resolution I use now.

Dave, The NTE3100 is an older type but still available at Circuit Specialists and others.
Cnc4pc cover all the wiring scenarios.
Hoss

[fretsman]

Thanks very much, Hoss-

Dave

[pntrbl]

Hoss, may I ask what voltage you're running the NTE3100 with? I have a limited knowledge of electronics but by looking at the spec sheet I see the Veco is 55v. Does that mean it needs 55v to operate, and if so, where are you getting that kind of voltage?

I'm still a newb but following your projects could change that ......

Thanx,

SP

[hoss2006]

SP,
It's running at 5V that the C3 provides.
Hoss

[groov]

Hoss, may I ask what voltage you're running the NTE3100 with? I have a limited knowledge of electronics but by looking at the spec sheet I see the Veco is 55v. Does that mean it needs 55v to operate, and if so, where are you getting that kind of voltage?

I'm still a newb but following your projects could change that ......

Thanx,

SP

The 55V you are referring to is the breakdown voltage of the collector-emitter junction and you should never operate it at that value. It is also an absolute max rating of the part...The normal operating Vce or collector to emitter voltage should be 5V.

Hope it helps.
groov