What key sequences would be most desirable for a pendant or programmable keyboard

I have been watching this thread with fascination.

I have been thinking about making a pendant from a programmable keyboard.

I like to propose that this post be the start of a new thread on what keys
would be most commonly desired on a programmable keyboard or pendant for a
Lathe and for a Mill.

I realize that there are a wide variety of CNC Controllers in use by the
members of this group. Because of this, I won;t suggest that we map the
keys in this post. Right now, I'm just looking to collect, in one place, a
list of the desired key functions for Mill/lathe.

To start this topic off, here are some of the sequences that I have come up
with which might be desirable.

May I suggest that as you REPLY to this thread that you remove all of the
previous messages except for what you are adding. This will make it easier
for all of us to see what suggestions come about. Eventually, we could
compile a master list for lathe and a list for a mill. Then, all that would
remain is to determine the key sequences for whatever software that you are
using. But that;s another thread...

-Eric Mack


Here are the key sequences suggested by AhHa on their web site. Again, I am
using this as a starting point to develop a list of keys that I might want
to have.
Some of the extra keys that I would like to have (Unless someone has a
reason against) would be keys to jog each axis a specific distance

KEY Mode Select Axis Select Button(s) Comments
----------------------------------------------------------------------
rt arrow Jog X Jog + slow jog X pos dir
left arrow Jog X Jog - slow jog X neg dir
up arrow Jog Y Jog + slow jog Y pos dir
dwn arrow Jog Y Jog - slow jog Y neg dir
Page up Jog Z Jog + slow jog Z pos dir
Page Dwn Jog Z Jog - slow jog Z neg dir
? Jog W Jog + slow jog W pos dir

> Jog W Jog - slow jog W neg dir

Note: Press and hold Fast Jog button before pressing Jog +, or Jog - to
produce a fast jog speed.
This is equivalent to holding down the Shift key on the keyboard.

+ Run FeedRate + feedrate override faster
- Run FeedRate - feedrate override slower
E File File List run toolpath file
S Ref Set Ref. set work reference
G Go Go Wk Ref go to work reference
Home Go Go Home go to machine home
Enter Select select an item for entry
Esc Abort cancel, or back out
of an entry,
pause program execution


Note: The Enter and Esc key equivalents are the Select and Abort buttons.
These buttons have the
Enter and Esc key functions in all Modes except Jog, when the
buttons are illuminated. When
the Abort and Select buttons are illuminated they take on the
function described in the button
lens, rather than the button legend.

The E-stop, Feedhold, and Cycle Start buttons are tied into auxiliary
inputs, and have no keyboard equivalent function.