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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Posts
    93

    moving z axis with keyboard

    Hi,

    I currently move my x and y axes with the arrow keys on my keyboard, and want to be able to do the same with the z axis too.

    At the moment I have to press the tab key to get z-axis controls on the screen, and then click the up and down buttons with my mouse.

    If I could perhaps hold the z key down whilst pressing the up and down keys, I could save a fair bit of time (my keyboard has a long enough cord to reach my machine table, but the mouse doesn't).

    Thanks for any help
    Adam

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538
    Page Up/Page Down
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
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    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

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    http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Posts
    162

    Wink

    Quote Originally Posted by ger21 View Post
    Page Up/Page Down
    Yep..

  4. #4

    XBOX360 Controller

    Hi Adam,

    Not sure what you are doing. ie. moving your router around the table

    I purchased a used XBOX 360 controller at a local Pawn Shop and downloaded the XBOX 360 Plugin from the Mach3 website. I put a 6 foot USB extension cable on the XBOX 360 controller and I can move about the machine and jog the router into position in the X,Yand Z Axis. One of the motion control knobs controls the X and Y Axis and the other motion contorl knob controls the Z axis. You can also program some of the other keys on the XBOX 360 Control in the Plugin (CONFIG) screen to perform other functions. It is the best thing since sliced bread.

    The used XBOX 360 Controller was about $20.00 and the USB extension cable is about $10.00. The Plugin was available at the Mach3 Website.

    Just something you may be interested in.

    John
    2007 HAAS TM-1P OneCNC XR5 Mill Pro. Shopbot PRT running Mach3 2010 Screen Set, Super PID and PMDX Electronics.Check out my Gallery on: http://[email protected]

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Posts
    93
    Thanks everyone,

    I wondered why I hadn't realised something as simple as the page up/down, and it turns out that my keyboard doesn't have those keys!

    So I suppose my question is.. how can I program certain keys to move the z axis?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Posts
    93
    In case anybody wondered, I have one of those silicone waterpoof keyboards (Waterproof Roll-Up Travel Keyboard with USB Connection | eBay UK)

    it came with a very long lead, and I just walk it from the computer to the cnc table to line things up by eye

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538
    Config > Hotkeys
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

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