Re: CNC UI (Virtual hand jive vs. conversational prgmmg)]

Alan,

I've been fairly brutal with the snips, hope this still makes sense:
more below

>this "Conversational" approach is interesting. Is there an example?
>Could it be "call up a parameter driven g-code file"?

That's a GREAT way to look at it! "Conversational" control just means
that I(the control) ask you questions(or present them visually on a
screen) and use your answers to do what you want me to do. To deal
with a question below, the 2x16 could "scroll" the question verbally,
while the gui presents it visually. I've used both systems. Both work.

>The "compound moves" sound useful, but then anything more than a
>45deg, and you might as well use a menu to specify "angle and
>length" or a new endpoint (sounds like gcode).<snip>
>It would be nice to just "tweak" the Y axes a bit more when I am
>moving the X.

This is what the "axis" buttons do. They are pressed(or released)
while turning the encoder wheel. (If the axis button is pressed AND
the encoder is turning, then that axis will move. And I added the
scaling factors so that the axes could move in a rise/run mode. Or be
programmed to an angle. Say you wanted a "stop sign" octagon. Press x
and turn the encoder;then press y(with x)for the 45,release x(y is
still down,encoder is still turning. Now we "add-in" x again, but
turn the encoder the other way... OOPS, Y just reversed also(wrong
for the stop sign, but you get the idea!) looks like we need a
direction button capability. Or some persistance and dominant axis
rules. Or just leave the stop signs to the "polygon" function!

>Is this what Ron is up to?

Check out his w/s. It's some contraction of pleasant cove, like
www.plsntcv.com (it's on this list somewhere)

>> If we use the "standard" Tee-style pendant case(as in the pic
>>posted
>> recently), we could implement axis selection pushbuttons on
>>the "handle" part(push on-push off/momentary. Selectable by setup
>>params:"Scaled" to the primary axis if nec., also by setup params)
>>which would allow us to "select/add-in" axis movement while moving
>>with the pendant encoder/joystick/button.

>Got the case, 2/4 line LCD, an Encoder and some p/b's. All it takes
>is a little software... ;>)

And a GOOD design spec! This project would DEFINE the term "feature-
itis".

>I was thinking of a "select axis" button, and the selection
>displayed on the LCD (or LED's). One hand to hold, one hand
>to jog, or select an axis (or combination).

In my vision, the hand "holding" is ALSO "selecting" the axis/axes.
Like using a stopwatch. Or a "mike".(micrometer, not microphone)
For below "switch between" question, the thumb could select/de-select
the pendant.

>>There is a tradeoff between what you can show on 2-4 line 16
>>character LCD's, or having the user look over to the main screen.
>>How much do you want to go back and forth between them, or between
>>the two keyboards, for example. Looks like we have two levels of
>>operation here, a "Enhanced Manual Mode" and a "Conversational
>>Mode".

Yes. And the modes need to work inde-pendant-ly, IMO :-) Self
contained functionality, each.

> Allow the pendant to "call up" the conversational screens(for access
> to Jon E <snip>
>>Now you're suggesting more of a GUI on the main screen (I think),
>>and the pendant doing "mouse" duty? OK. All keys are re-
>>programmable.

No. Remember GUI's are a relatively NEW thing. Pendants have "asked
questions" for years. In shorthand, many times. Now we have the power
to put full scrollable sentences,step by step, through
the "conversation".

>I've seen the M/S sw idea. I was hoping for something more

integral. I thought notebook computers could use a numeric keypad
or "full size" keyboard as a plug-in to/with the mouse<s>

Oh. Notebooks. Hmmm.

>Hurriedly throwing the switch to gain control of moving hardware
>scares me<s>

No more than using a "feed hold" keypress, I hope. Clear your head,
fix whatever, then proceed.

>The game port joystick interface is a 555 timer. Really sloppy from
>what I've seen. I can't believe it can be used.
>>P.S. It's been awhile since I used it, but the later versions of
>>DanCam/DanPlot used the joystick for some interesting "path
>>construction" functions
>Is it really useful? Maybe just a coarse pointing device?

The joystick function(s) of DANCAD/CAM were/are VERY cool! The
farther the stick is offcenter, the faster the axis goes! Release and
everything stops. Z axis used the thumb(or another J/S). Really great
for "teach-in" coding. THIS feature is the most poorly implemented
and useful function of low-end CNC, IMO. Combine some probing
routines with some good "manual control" and LOTS of parts could be
made MUCH more easily. Add-in GOOD "conversational" and ...

Hope this helps.

Ballendo