[eaglezsoar]

I have searched this board for information on how to interface an MPG with
a computer running MACH3 and using a Gecko G540.
Searching through the internet I can find references to MODIO, POKEYS55,
Dual parallel ports and a myriad of other ways to hook up a pendant with an
MPG. There must be a simple way to interface a simple pendant with an MPG and a couple of rotary switches to select the axis to my system. All of these
3rd party proprietary systems seem to leave a lot to be desired. Can any of
you describe the simplest way to interface an MPG and its Axis switches with
my G540 and MACH3?

[Bob Adams]

I have searched this board for information on how to interface an MPG with
a computer running MACH3 and using a Gecko G540.
Searching through the internet I can find references to MODIO, POKEYS55,
Dual parallel ports and a myriad of other ways to hook up a pendant with an
MPG. There must be a simple way to interface a simple pendant with an MPG and a couple of rotary switches to select the axis to my system. All of these
3rd party proprietary systems seem to leave a lot to be desired. Can any of
you describe the simplest way to interface an MPG and its Axis switches with
my G540 and MACH3?

Take a look at the PDF file, it has a Mach3 setup for a Homemade MPG.

http://www.cad2gcode.com/cncprojects/id18.html
Bob

[RotarySMP]

The MPG just sends an impulse signal, therefore it needs one pin into the computer. Since the G540 has four generic inputs, you could use one of them. To select between axis, you could use a simple push button, and scroll through the axis that way. Again that could be wired into another of the G540 inputs.

However, since you probably need inputs for home and limit switches and maybe a spindle indexer, you will probably run out of pins. In that case just add a second parallel port board to the computer, and run the MPG directly to it.

[eaglezsoar]

Thanks for the replies. It seems no matter how I do it, I will need a second
parallel port. I was thinking I should have enough inputs but I will not.
Thanks for helping out.
Hoss did his console using 2 salvaged USB ports, I may go that route for the
pendant keys and figure out how to interface the MPG or go with joysticks as
Hoss did. I wish I had his knowledge but I am learning......( I Hope)