Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Pendant

Terry,

I thought Ballendo gave you a reply. Sorry, I ran out of time to send
you one. I too am working on a "Jog" program for my hardware. I have a
"panel shaft encoder" in a pendent, and also keys on a keyboard to use
for jog. I also have "incremental move" keys that move an axis a
pre-specified number of inches or degrees (rotary table), and a
"commanded move" where the user can enter a new axis position. I have
just added an "MDI" (?) manual entry mode, which is a Gcode parser, and
drives the "move" command code. Linear interpolation is working, and
circular interpolation is next. LOTSA FUN!

The self contained PIC pendant is a good idea, but I for one would not
want to disconnect cables to shift over to a manual pendant. Rather, I
shift to my "jog" program, and pick up a "dumb" pendant that is plugged
into the joystick port of the computer that runs my controller program.

I might suggest that you work up the interface in the pendant to
generate a serial message (RS232), and send that message to the PC,
where the step/dir pulses can generated, and thus the cable(s) stay
plugged in. With a TSR, current controller programs could be "fooled"
into thinking they had received jog commands, or your own program could
receive RS232 messages directly from the pendant.

I DO see the need for a hand held pendant (or computer, heh heh) that
could be used to drive a 4th axis. Something along the lines of
Sherline's CNC controller. I have that in mind with a variation of my
"Jog" programs (WORKING!). The user of a rotary table might want to
move to 'N' positions, and drill bolt holes in a part. Or cut circular
contours. Or machine flats. "incremental" stuff, IMO!

I don't really have a feel for what the "big guys" want for
feed/speeds. Hey, I'm just a little Sherline Mill (CNC)! 10-15 IPM is
FAST for me (now).

I Hope this is encouraging, and possibly a little help. Things are a
little busy around here with #1 son home from U.C. Davis, and his NATCAR
(PIC controlled line follower car) project! And #2 son (H.S. Senior)
just got dad to set up a photo lab, and back into printing pix! (good
thing we don't have more kids, I'm running out of time/hobbies. Well, I
guess there is still Ham Radio! ;>) ).

Feel free to email me with thoughts, questions, ideas! Let's talk about
it!

Happy Holidays!

Alan KM6VV


James Owens wrote:

>
> Hi All,
>
> Last week I posted the email below and haven't received a single reply. Does
> this mean that out of the 890+ members of this list no-one has an opinion or
> is there not interest in a device of this sort and I am wasting my time?
>
> Regards,
>
> Terry
>
> Hi All,
>
> A little advice please. I am building a PIC based pendent which is user
> programmable as to out-put speed. It should hook up to any system that takes
> step and direction pulses and will drive 4 axis. You will have a choice of
> single step and then three speeds from a list of twelve. What would be the
> slowest and the highest speeds that would be most useable. This device will
> drive any machine from Lathe, miller to router. I realise that the router
> people would like a top speed around 600 ipm but I am limiting it to about
> 200 ipm on this version. There will be a completely programmable pendant
> once this one is completed.
>
> Terry