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IndustryArena Forum > WoodWorking Machines > DIY CNC Router Table Machines > My DIY Dedicated Mach3 Control Panel
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
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    63

    My DIY Dedicated Mach3 Control Panel

    Thought you guys might find this interesting. I got alot of help from you guys getting my warthog router up and running with Mach3, and I appreciate that! I always hated having a full desktop computer to run the machine and wanted a control panel that has the functionality of the industrial units, with the convenience of Mach3. So here it is, built it using. LCD, arcade buttons/joysticks, a ipac board and a industrial keyboard/mouse combo all built together. All I need is a couple of new buttons in the right colors, like green and yellow. The kicker is that it was built using only scrap parts I had laying around in my garage. Didn't put any money into it! Let me know what you think!
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails ImageUploadedByTapatalk1324321318.378289.jpg   ImageUploadedByTapatalk1324321348.072164.jpg   ImageUploadedByTapatalk1324321376.727921.jpg  

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Posts
    621
    What a terrific idea to use an IPAC...! I wish I had one laying around for such a purpose...

    The panel came out nicely, I assume the keyboard is wireless?

    Adam,

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Posts
    853
    Sorry ... what's an ipac?

    Looks good! Do you need another parallel port to get all those inputs?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Posts
    63
    An ipac is a keyboard emulator for mame arcades. So using that I did not need a second parallel port, just a open USB!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Posts
    690
    Quote Originally Posted by Ed3XP View Post
    An ipac is a keyboard emulator for mane arcades. So using that I did not need a second parallel port, just a open USB!
    I guess you meant MAME. It's indeed a great idea to use one!, and far better than messing around with diodes to bypass the usual keyboard problems.

    What keyboard is that? is that a "mousestick"?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Posts
    853
    Quote Originally Posted by Ed3XP View Post
    An ipac is a keyboard emulator for mane arcades. So using that I did not need a second parallel port, just a open USB!
    How cool is that! An entire product line that I knew nothing about, but is so useful around the lab. Thanks!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Posts
    56
    This would be a pretty cool thing to enter in our cncmentor.com build log contest. Consider this some encouragement!
    http://cncmentor.com - open source sharing community and CAD Library

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Posts
    63
    The keyboard model number is DU-5K-USB it is not wireless, but is completely sealed so dust can not get under the keys. The mouse is kinda a "mouse stick" and us also completely sealed. If you notice it also contains 12 more "F" function. Buttons along the top.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Posts
    63
    Quote Originally Posted by jwolin View Post
    This would be a pretty cool thing to enter in our cncmentor.com build log contest. Consider this some encouragement!
    I'll check it out!

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Posts
    690
    Quote Originally Posted by Ed3XP View Post
    The keyboard model number is DU-5K-USB it is not wireless, but is completely sealed so dust can not get under the keys. The mouse is kinda a "mouse stick" and us also completely sealed. If you notice it also contains 12 more "F" function. Buttons along the top.
    Just made a search for that keyboard and... 460+ bucks! (nuts)

    It seems I'd have to let that one go and look for alternatives

    I'm actually against using wireless keyboards with my CNC, it just doesn't feel right considering a lot can go wrong (which is sad considering most keyboard/mouse combos are wireless, at least those on Cool Gadgets at the Right Price - Worldwide Free Shipping - DealExtreme).

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Posts
    63
    Walky, keep your eye open on eBay, theres a guy that sells these keyboards, 2 for 50 bucks.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
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    0
    how about regtollpath button? i think its important...

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
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    63
    Yeah that's a good idea. Maybe on version 2?

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Posts
    0
    I use a keyboard like this

    Newegg.com - TRIPP LITE IN3008KB Black 106 Normal Keys USB or PS/2 Wired Slim Compact Flexible Keyboard for Notebook/Laptop

    My mouse is not dust proof but at lest the keyboard is.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Posts
    423
    Walky thanks for the link.

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
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    63
    Heres some more info and pictures on my site along with a video...

    Dedicated Mach3 Control Panel

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Posts
    525
    That is fantastic!
    Kelly
    www.finescale360.com

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Posts
    690
    This project was just featured at Hack-a-day, nice!

    MAMEing a CNC router - Hack a Day

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Posts
    11

    Re: My DIY Dedicated Mach3 Control Panel

    What keyboard code do you use for feed speed reset

  20. #20
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Posts
    3920

    Re: My DIY Dedicated Mach3 Control Panel

    Nice panel. I’m another that has never heard of iPac. Learning something new keeps me coming back!!!

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