RE: more R,P,Y axis conventions (rotary)

Alan,

(snips, inserts below)

>I replaced my incremental move keys '-' & '+' with '<' & '>' (like
>G91, except we don't get g-code yet). This frees up the '+' & '-'

keys for the 4th axis.

Be careful here! You've just used the decimal point key. For jog. Now
you may be reading it "shifted" so there's no technical conflict. But
you've made it a little bit harder on the operator, IMO. The [ and ]
keys are used for "expression evaluation" in some g code controls, so
I'd stay away from them as well...

Think with me for a minute. There are three types of keypress in CNC.
1) Emergency.
2) single press/Immediate action. (like jog keys)
3) multiple input required before action. (entering a param, or coord)

Is setting an increment to jog 1,2,or 3? And are you going to use
a "table of increments" like stepster,DeskNC, and many commercial
controls? Or a "settable" increment (like CncPRO)? Or both?
This may help you decide how to use the keyboard.

>I set up an increment size, in inches or degrees (see
>"NEW" below), and then move that amount when the '<' or '>' keys are
>pressed.

>In jog, the COMMON keys move the four (4) axis, or the panel encoder
>moves the "current" axis.
>Slight paradigm shift. In main it's "current axis". in jog,
>it's "press the key", and the encoder (jog mode 2?) operates on
>the "current axis" also.

Sounds like you're having fun. More to it than meets the eye, at
first, huh?

>From "main" (as above) an 'E' command (or menu selection?) allows
>you to type in a new absolute (like a G90) location. I'm trying
>something I think is NEW here, If "current axis" is XYZ, then I want
>inches. if ABC, then I want degrees. neat?!

Nice touch. Do you "remind" the operator which to enter?

>Maybe I'm thinking of XB? Ya know, to cut that crankshaft plate?

Lotta ways to skin that cat, speaking in axis selection(s).

Ballendo