[petenc]

Again some show and tell... I've had some downtime and decided to begin working on a pendant to speedy up my setups, as this is what kills my productivity. It is still very prototype and taking shape... if you couldn't tell. Its getting there.

Love to hear some thoughts, here are my goals for the next proto:

-Re-locate Start/Feedhold/Stop buttons to the top (I don't like them on the sides)
-Make smaller and easier to wield (30-50% smaller is the goal)
-Make some of the switches into dials (I think the overrides may be best into a selector switch, and possibly an independent XYZ axis selection rotary)
-Add .0001"/.001" selections for step mode (maybe the others if there is room)
-Add capability for zeroing axis'
-Make it awesome (maybe a machined enclosure)



Pete

[tmarks11]

I have a Vista CNC pendant (P4s or something like that). What I don't like about it is that it does too much stuff.

ok, it does nothing right now because of PP.

What I mean is that having multiple switches that allow it to access dozens of different functions almost makes it like a combination lock. Something simpler with dedicated switches is better. I like your two pendant idea, but expand on that.

Make the pendant on the right have dedicated feed, rpm, max velocity (three knobs) and three buttons (start, stop, feedhold). Separate buttons means it does what you want it to do. OW, maybe pushing feedhold changes the position of the feed override (maybe this isn't a problem).

Since you have the feed/speed/max velocity override on the right hand pendant, do you really have to put it on the left pendant? Maybe replace those buttons with spindle start/stop button. Maybe add toggling the step between 0.010/0.001/0.0001".

[petenc]

I have a Vista CNC pendant (P4s or something like that). What I don't like about it is that it does too much stuff.

ok, it does nothing right now because of PP.

What I mean is that having multiple switches that allow it to access dozens of different functions almost makes it like a combination lock. Something simpler with dedicated switches is better. I like your two pendant idea, but expand on that.

Make the pendant on the right have dedicated feed, rpm, max velocity (three knobs) and three buttons (start, stop, feedhold). Separate buttons means it does what you want it to do. OW, maybe pushing feedhold changes the position of the feed override (maybe this isn't a problem).

Since you have the feed/speed/max velocity override on the right hand pendant, do you really have to put it on the left pendant? Maybe replace those buttons with spindle start/stop button. Maybe add toggling the step between 0.010/0.001/0.0001".

Thanks for the input Tim. I like your combination lock analogy, that's exactly what it feels like when things get too crowded. There is definitely merit in keeping it simple. I still go back to the manual mills (laguns, bridgeports, etc) and how inviting the "controls" are. Every knob, dial, or button has a single purpose and is positioned in different areas of the machine, not on a single screen or pendant. It would be fun to recreate some of that stuff. For instance, a pull handle for the Z-axis. And since we have machine absolute position, maybe a button to set a "digital hardstop". I could go on

[smokediver576]

Hey Tim,

I've been one of the folks testing the two pendants and here's my take on them. The two boxes serve two different functions. I use the larger box for my setup work (pretty much use every button on there during setups). Everything I need is right there (with the exception of the set zero----- hint, hint, hint - Pete) all in one unit. No going back and forth between two boxes or the keyboard/screen. Then once I'm ready to start running a part, I switch over to the smaller box since all I'm needing then is Start/Feed Hold/Stop and my overrides. Both boxes are plugged into a hub and I've had no issues with conflicts or anything.

All in all, these two boxes are a 1,000% leap ahead of the jog shuttle, mouse, keyboard. It's killin me to have to send the beta test units back today. Thank goodness I'll be at Shot Show for a week and hopefully the pre-production three button control will be in when I return.

Later,
Awall

[kstrauss]

Did you say that it is plug-and-play with no need to edit any PP files with each new release of PP?

[smokediver576]

Did you say that it is plug-and-play with no need to edit any PP files with each new release of PP?

It's a super easy patch that you apply. I updated to 1.9.7 then applied the single file patch. Nothing to edit line by line or anything like that. No harder than doing a normal update.

[kstrauss]

That sounds perfect. Certainly far easier than following all of the manual steps to install the VistaCNC which, in the end, don't work!

[petenc]

Did you say that it is plug-and-play with no need to edit any PP files with each new release of PP?

The simplest way I have found is to where there is no editing, however, there is patching op, but it is straightforward. Takes about a minute, and smoke may be able to comment on ease.

Every time there is an update to PP, it creates and pulls from a new directory. This negates the current version, and each successive version would need the new patch. I also got it to work through the standard "Update" button process that uses a ".TGP" file. But this new method is benign.

Pete

[kstrauss]

Using the normal PP update button with a .tgp file on a USB stick would be by far the most intuitive approach for non-Linux types.

[petenc]

Using the normal PP update button with a .tgp file on a USB stick would be by far the most intuitive approach for non-Linux types.

Yea thats what I was thinking as well initially, but they do put some effort to keep people from making the .tgp files, which steered me this way. Plus I don't want anybody to confuse my projects as theirs. I come in peace.

[petenc]

I had a little free time to work on the pendant. Here is the start of artwork. I am hoping, if it doesn't cost too much, to put LEDs on all the selection modes. There is still a lot changes to do, but its taking shape. I am machining out the housing this week hopefully.

Pete

Attachment 348992
Attachment 348994

[hoecken]

Looks great.

[Jedi1990]

Nice work !

[smokediver576]

I'm like that kid waiting for Santa to bring me a Red Rider BB gun for Christmas!!!! Come on Pete..... I want my new BB gun!!!!!

I have been using the heck out of the three button controller and don't see how I've made it this far without one.

Later,
Awall

[popspipes]

I'm like that kid waiting for Santa to bring me a Red Rider BB gun for Christmas!!!! Come on Pete..... I want my new BB gun!!!!!

I have been using the heck out of the three button controller and don't see how I've made it this far without one.

Later,
Awall

Maybe call it the RotoSlider sure is a handy tool!

[petenc]

Maybe call it the RotoSlider sure is a handy tool!

I still haven't named that stinkin' thing. I called that it quickclick when I was coding it, and even the circuit card has it etched on there if you take it apart. I like Ninja-Knobs though, "so you can sneak up on it" haha.

[smokediver576]

I still haven't named that stinkin' thing. I called that it quickclick when I was coding it, and even the circuit card has it etched on there if you take it apart. I like Ninja-Knobs though, "so you can sneak up on it" haha.

I vote for Ninja-Knobs!!!!

Cannot wait for the new pendant. Push buttons work for me!

[petenc]

I'm like that kid waiting for Santa to bring me a Red Rider BB gun for Christmas!!!! Come on Pete..... I want my new BB gun!!!!!

I have been using the heck out of the three button controller and don't see how I've made it this far without one.

Later,
Awall

I am hopefully going to be making the pushbutton version this week, however, business has been picking up quite a bit from the new years lull. It will be the same layout as the membrane switch version just with regular pushbuttons to get a feel for it, and to dial in the programming of course. Those membrane switches aren't cheap at the prototyping stage so I got like one shot at it lol.

Also, I went in today for a couple hours try out some things with a new project that will replace my haimer probe, thats actually looking very promising. I'll know a lot more tomorrow.

Pete

[popspipes]

I sure like my rotary knob pendant for the sliders.
It is really handy for new unproven parts! I usually make mistakes or need adjustment on the feeds speeds etc I made a couple new pushbutton switch boxes for the PDB, it was sure handy for that!
I wanted a more bullet proof switch than what came on the macnine.

[Dozer56]

I Watched your video's, good Job ! I like the pendant really clean and has all the features anyone could need.
will it be expensive ?