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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Posts
    51

    Tormach manual controls

    I know, I know, it one of those one-off sorta deals. Gosh I wish the PCNC had some sort of manual controls. They don't even need power feeds but simple had wheels would be great.

    As an alternative what about a simple benchtop. So when your chamfer didn't cut just right you could throw it in the manual mill make a quick pass & be done, oh and the tormach needs has to stop for that one cut you needed to redo. Does anyone else have this situation?

    What I'd really like is a benchtop that could accept my tts system so I'm removing cutters or buying extras...

    Steve

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Posts
    38

    Re: Tormach manual controls

    I use mine as a manual mill a lot. The jog shuttle works pretty good. The speed slider along with keyboard control works very well too. With MDI and G1 codes, you get to cut with "power feed" as well.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Posts
    591

    Re: Tormach manual controls

    If you need to re-do just one cut, you can scroll to it in the G-code window, right-click the line, and select "start from here."
    When it's through, press feedhold and then stop the program again.

    And, yes, I use the MDI, typing in manual coordinates, when I want a "manual" mill. As long as I don't confuse X or Y, or confuse positive with negative, when entering numbers, it works fine.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    644

    Re: Tormach manual controls

    It _is_ possible to add realtime X,Y,Z MPGs to LinuxCNC/PathPilot
    If you are not averse to hal file editing and dealing with merging
    hal file bits when you upgrade PathPilot

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Posts
    591

    Re: Tormach manual controls

    The main problem with "hand wheels" on a CNC is that there's always some lag, so if you "run by look," you may end up overshooting. If you strictly count the turns (like a real machinist) then you can still be OK, it will just look/sound weird...

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    1332

    Re: Tormach manual controls

    The jog shuttle works as well as hand wheels for me on my 1100.

    Don

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    644

    Re: Tormach manual controls

    Quote Originally Posted by jwatte View Post
    The main problem with "hand wheels" on a CNC is that there's always some lag, so if you "run by look," you may end up overshooting. If you strictly count the turns (like a real machinist) then you can still be OK, it will just look/sound weird...
    Actually with LinuxCNC/Pathpilot if the MPG is implemented in hal, it is real time
    (there is no significant lag = < 1 ms) Basically the axis motion is geared to the MPG.

    You can still have delays if you exceed the machines joint velocity or acceleration
    constraints with large jog increments, but there is no inherent uncertain delays
    as you would have with non-realtime MPGs (USB etc)

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    94

    Re: Tormach manual controls

    I’ve found MDI to be better than wheels. I end up typing in G1 moves, say on X or Y, then if the cut isn’t quite enough, I can dial Z down a bit and hit the up arrow to rerun a previous move. It’s faster than hand wheels.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    1332

    Re: Tormach manual controls

    Quote Originally Posted by lens42 View Post
    I’ve found MDI to be better than wheels. I end up typing in G1 moves, say on X or Y, then if the cut isn’t quite enough, I can dial Z down a bit and hit the up arrow to rerun a previous move. It’s faster than hand wheels.
    I use a combination of MDI and the jog shuttle controller.

    Don

  10. #10
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Posts
    49

    Re: Tormach manual controls

    Tormach pncnc 1100-3
    I have used 3 mpg's and a spindle encoder using a mesa 7i85 coupled to the original 5i25 spare port. with this bit file 5i25_t2_7i85s.bit that peter (PCW) kindly made for me.

    Attached excel sheet for connections (change file extension)

    Photo's Attachment 417924Attachment 417926
    Base ini file
    [HOSTMOT2]
    DRIVER=hm2_pci
    BOARD=5i25
    DRIVER_PARAMS="config= num_encoders=4 num_pwmgens=1 num_3pwmgens=0 num_stepgens=5 "
    BITFILE0=mesa/5i25_t2_7i85s.bit
    DPLL_TIMER_NUMBER = 1
    DPLL_TIMER_US= -100

    [HAL]
    HALUI = halui
    HALFILE = tormach_mill_mesa.hal
    #HALFILE = custom_encoder.hal
    HALFILE = custom_encoder_ilowpass.hal
    POSTGUI_SHUTTLEXPRESS_HALFILE = millshuttlexpress.hal
    POSTGUI_HALFILE = postgui_tormach_mill.hal
    ......
    custom_encoder_ilowpass.hal:-

    net spindle-position hm2_5i25.0.encoder.00.position => motion.spindle-revs
    net spindle-velocity hm2_5i25.0.encoder.00.velocity => motion.spindle-speed-in
    net spindle-index-enable hm2_5i25.0.encoder.00.index-enable <=> motion.spindle-index-enable
    setp hm2_5i25.0.encoder.00.scale -4000

    ## Clive Mpg's May 21- 18

    loadrt ilowpass names=ilowpass.mpgX,ilowpass.mpgY,ilowpass.mpgZ

    addf ilowpass.mpgX servo-thread
    addf ilowpass.mpgY servo-thread
    addf ilowpass.mpgZ servo-thread

    loadrt or2 names=xen,yen,zen
    addf xen servo-thread
    addf yen servo-thread
    addf zen servo-thread

    net sxp.xen-button => xen.in0
    net sxp.yen-button => yen.in0
    net sxp.zen-button => zen.in0

    net jog-mode <= halui.mode.is-manual
    net jog-mode => xen.in1
    net jog-mode => yen.in1
    net jog-mode => zen.in1

    net xen-out xen.out => axis.0.jog-enable
    net yen-out yen.out => axis.1.jog-enable
    net zen-out zen.out => axis.2.jog-enable

    # X MPG ilowpass
    setp ilowpass.mpgX.scale 10
    setp ilowpass.mpgX.gain 0.01

    setp axis.0.jog-vel-mode 0
    net x-jog-counter <= hm2_5i25.0.encoder.01.count
    net x-jog-counter => ilowpass.mpgX.in

    net ilowpass-0-out ilowpass.mpgX.out
    net ilowpass-0-out => axis.0.jog-counts

    setp axis.0.jog-vel-mode true
    setp axis.0.jog-scale 0.0000492

    # Y MPG ilowpass
    setp ilowpass.mpgY.scale 1
    setp ilowpass.mpgY.gain 0.01

    setp axis.1.jog-vel-mode 0
    net y-jog-counter <= hm2_5i25.0.encoder.02.count
    net y-jog-counter => ilowpass.mpgY.in

    net ilowpass-1-out ilowpass.mpgY.out
    net ilowpass-1-out => axis.1.jog-counts

    setp axis.1.jog-vel-mode true
    setp axis.1.jog-scale 0.000492


    # Z MPG ilowpass
    setp ilowpass.mpgZ.scale 1
    setp ilowpass.mpgZ.gain 0.01

    setp axis.2.jog-vel-mode 0
    net Z-jog-counter <= hm2_5i25.0.encoder.03.count
    net Z-jog-counter => ilowpass.mpgZ.in

    net ilowpass-2-out ilowpass.mpgZ.out
    net ilowpass-2-out => axis.2.jog-counts

    setp axis.2.jog-vel-mode true
    setp axis.2.jog-scale 0.000492

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Posts
    17

    Re: Tormach manual controls

    Quote Originally Posted by Clive S View Post
    Tormach pncnc 1100-3
    I have used 3 mpg's and a spindle encoder using a mesa 7i85 coupled to the original 5i25 spare port. with this bit file 5i25_t2_7i85s.bit that peter (PCW) kindly made for me.

    Attached excel sheet for connections (change file extension)

    Photo's
    Would you go into detail about how this is done?

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Posts
    2100

    Re: Tormach manual controls

    I have gotten used to the jog shuttle, but I would still prefer a real MPG like a VistaCNC.

    I do surfacing and similar long cuts with the jog shuttle from time to time, but I prefer to use the MDI line for "manual" machining as I can preload the next command I want to execut (as long as I don't use the space bar - LOL) so I can do the next thing quicker at the end of the current cut.

    I have MPGs on all of my other machines that are currently in use. Even my little Chinese noodle router.
    Bob La Londe
    http://www.YumaBassMan.com

  13. #13

    Re: Tormach manual controls

    How is it that Vista pendants work on LinuxCNC but not PP?

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Posts
    2100

    Re: Tormach manual controls

    Quote Originally Posted by CL_MotoTech View Post
    How is it that Vista pendants work on LinuxCNC but not PP?
    I don't know. I spent some time on it and never got it to work.
    Bob La Londe
    http://www.YumaBassMan.com

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Posts
    2151

    Re: Tormach manual controls

    I see in pictures now and then a jog wheel on new mx models. Maybe something they are working on. The pendant works well, I do have years of practice. As others mentioned conversation and midi will go long way, again with practice. Some things like gears on 4th axis are way quicker to setup, touch off and do the math with midi moves then to ever try and cam real gear models in the cam software I use any way. You can still do it with 2d ops and rotary translations in cam, but cutter profiles and other data is not there for complete simulation and Brute force is the way to make a few fast.


    I take this back on cutting gears. I found the one setting in 2d ops that was always causing a problem when generating the g-code. Code posts out correct and compact like it should now.
    Attachment 418152

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