[tmarks11]

So did you ever get it working?

[kstrauss]

I have not received anything recently from JustinHoMi. I'm certainly willing to try most anything. It only takes a few minutes to re-install PP on a spare machine.

[JustinHoMi]

I have not received anything recently from JustinHoMi. I'm certainly willing to try most anything. It only takes a few minutes to re-install PP on a spare machine.

Sorry I haven't had a chance to respond. I plan on helping... I just have to finish a couple projects first. If anyone else has a pendant and wants to give me remote access to the machine, I think I could get it working pretty quickly. It's just slow any other way.

[tmarks11]

I would be interested but I don't have a wifi connection for my Tormach controller, and am nowhere near where I can get an ethernet cable.

[FuriousGeorge]

Will this work on the new release, v1.9?

[JohnToner]

Don't know, but could it be that Tormach is dragging their heels to protect sales of their pendant lite? I'm a lot of guys, myself included, who haven't gone with PP because it doesn't support the Vista.

[FuriousGeorge]

Ah man! I really wanted to make some parts while he wasn't looking. Oh well....

Anyways, let's install the hal_input extension. This is part of the normal linuxcnc distribution, and interfaces with USB HID devices like your pendant. There are two files: hal_input and linux_event.py. The following instructions assume you have PP setup as a PCNC 1100 controller. Do this from the command prompt (control-alt-x):

1. cd /tmp; wget http://justinmitchell.net/pp/hal_input.tbz    (if you don't have internet access, copy this to a usb drive, plugin, then type "cp ~/gcode/USB/hal_input.tbz /tmp")
2. tar jxvf hal_input.tbz   
3. cd hal_input
4. cp hal_input ~/tmc/bin/  
5. cp linux_event.py ~/tmc/lib/python/

The files are now in place, but you need to edit a config file to load the extension. If you're not familiar with editing text files on linux, I recommend the "pico" text editor. It's easier to use than some of the others.

6. pico ~/tmc/configs/tormach_mill/tormach_mill_5i25.hal
7. Use the arrow keys to scroll down to line 32 (just below "loadusr -W usbio")
8. Type:   loadusr -W hal_input -KRAL VistaCNC 
9. control-o (to save)
10. control-x (to quit)
11. sudo reboot

If you get errors upon reboot, it means that you (or me ) made a typo in one of the previous steps. No biggie... just hit control-alt-x and check everything. Or you can just install the 1.8.2 update and start over.

Assuming there are no errors, type "admin halmeter" at the MDI prompt. This brings up a list of all the pins, signals, and parameters in PP. Scroll down and find the ones that look like "input.0.x". If these exist, then it means hal_input has successfully loaded. Each of these inputs correspond to a button/knob on the pendant. Try clicking on several and hitting buttons on your pendant and see if the output value changes. There's no need to do this for all of them... I just want to make sure that it is working.

Next I'm going to have you save this list to a text file. First attach a USB thumb drive to the computer.

Now open up a command prompt (control-alt-x) and type:

LD_LIBRARY_PATH=~/tmc/lib ~/tmc/bin/halcmd show > ~/gcode/USB/halshow.txt

Now take that drive to another computer and attach the list to a post here.

I'm at a total loss here. I'm running 1.8.2, I've triple checked everything, but I keep getting errors when I reboot. All the necessary files are copied in the right place, but the second I make a change to tormach_mill_5i25.hal I get an error and a prompt to reinstall a PathPilot upgrade.

[kstrauss]

I had the same result and JustinHoMi suggested that it might be a result of differences between the 1100 and 770 version of PP (I have a 770). I haven't yet tried with v1.9

[FuriousGeorge]

I had the same result and JustinHoMi suggested that it might be a result of differences between the 1100 and 770 version of PP (I have a 770). I haven't yet tried with v1.9

I've been trying it on an 1100 with no luck, so we can rule that out as the cause!

[kstrauss]

I queried VistaCNC's tech support and received the following email reply:

"We are working on the driver right now, will have it in few weeks."

And, yes, I offered to be a beta tester. Maybe there is hope! It probably wouldn't hurt for others, particularly potential pendant purchasers, to let them know of your interest.

[popspipes]

Is there any news on getting the Vista pendant to work with Pathpilot??

[JohnToner]

Mike,

From Vista, as of July 19, 2015: "We are working on the driver right now, will have it in few weeks." It would seem Vista is not interested in working with PP. We've been orphaned.

[kstrauss]

They have a driver and instructions on their website for usage with LinuxCNC. It requires a re-flash of the ROM in the pendant. I've been too busy with other work to attempt to get it to work plus I'm not comfortable making changes on Linux.

[popspipes]

Mike,

From Vista, as of July 19, 2015: "We are working on the driver right now, will have it in few weeks." It would seem Vista is not interested in working with PP. We've been orphaned.

I have one of those gathering dust as well John.............Hope you are enjoying your retirement!

[JohnToner]

Mike,

I want to go back to work so I can get some rest!

[DLawrence]

Mike,

I want to go back to work so I can get some rest!

haha I know the feeling......"retirement" from "regular job" has brought me 12 ,14 , 18 hour days but now no complaining about "bad management"

haha whats happening with the Vista pendant in PP ?

Thanks
Dave

[79rallysport]

Has anybody gotten this to work?

[alames]

Has anybody gotten this to work?

Any progress? I'm trying to do this per instructions downloaded from VistaCNC, and am having same troubles cited above.

[TurboStep]

Any progress? I'm trying to do this per instructions downloaded from VistaCNC, and am having same troubles cited above.

I'e been trying to create a video but it's taking me MUCH longer than the implementation did. My answer to your question is yes, I have made some progress, almost all the features of a P2-S are working, but the bad news is that I had to modify several PP functions in the progress. I'll put more prio on the video - watch this space....
Step

[tmarks11]

I'e been trying to create a video but it's taking me MUCH longer than the implementation did.

your rock! Looking forward to it!