Re: Pendant Design, was - Spindle Motor Control?

Hi Chris, thanks for the input. Point well taken regarding the estop.
My servo controllers all have power interupting red buttons and input
for remote stop button(s).
http://www.members.shaw.ca/axxus4/AS300D40_2.jpg
http://www.members.shaw.ca/axxus4/as300mfront.jpg

I will be putting them on my updated web site as soon as I catch up a bit.
Interesting thoughts on the membrane option and switch labels as well.
I am still considering options at this point.
Dean
Axxus Technologies

> I guess that IF it is a "programmable" device, then "labeling" buttons
> could be somewhat limiting.
> I like the approach taken by the X-Keys ( or Y-Keys ) by PI

engineerings

> keyboard in that the keycaps came off in order to place under them
> exactly what you want. You can look in the CCED files section and

see an

> old layout I did for Flashcut V1 in a .pdf file for their double layer
> keypad. It does not take very long to do a nice color print of exactly
> what one wants for buttons in Corel Draw, cut them out with an exacto
> knife, then place them under the clear key caps. THIS is the best

option

> as it will not limit anyone or any software, but I understand the

desire

> for a membrane.....
>
> Then again, the membrane on a particular Multicam head I am familiar
> with is absolutely shot after 5 years of use......
>
> My complaint with the off the shelf X-Keys was the switch "feedback"...
> not a strong enough "click"..
>
> > What else would be
> >useful. I am thinking that the pendant will have room for about 12
> >functions and Estop.
> >
> I used to try to get every possible function I could into the X-keys
> box, yet now, looking at redoing mine for Flashcut, I'll shoot for only
> the necessary items. After all, I found out that the pendant did not

end

> up in my hand all the time anyhow. It is most used for machine or Job
> setup, and the moments right after starting the job. Then it gets set
> back in its holder while the job runs.
>
> Homing, Setting Zero, Jogging ( at all available rates), Setting Part
> Zero, Move to a reference point ( like machine zero or toolchange
> location), Start Job, and finally the "ooops" Feedhold, and Reset

option.

>
> The "E-Stop" concept on it is nice, but probably best a "cover" for
> liabilities anyhow.
>
> I think it would be a shame if a person "learned" to rely on his
> pendants E-Stop" rather than on the ONE Really BIG red Kill button he
> SHOULD have ! One might get a little too friendly with the pendant
> E-Stop, so that when a real emergency arrives, he is fumbling for a

much

> less accessable button than he should be. Also, the Real E-Stop should
> be cutting power to the drives and spindles, not just halting the
> software. So, it has some limitations as a USB E-Stop.
>
> I learned something once about E-Stops.... Do NOT put your ONLY one on
> or even too near to the machine. Put an E-Stop by a door exiting the
> room, or on a pole 15 feet away in a shop scenario. Let it Disengage a
> contactor feeding that machine. I had a fellow start a toolpath, but
> forgot to remove his dial indicator and positioning arm from the
> spindle. The vibration was unbelievable, and the parts flying off were
> deadly. Guess where the E-Stop was ?? NOT where anyone wanted to go to
> get it shut down ! As everyone in the whole place was laying flat on

the

> floor dodging flying parts, I was forced to head for the Main power
> panel. Good thing I knew which breaker it was ! I don't need to tell

you

> that was the "Last Word" from our *Last Word* Indicator.
>
> So, I could do without the E-stop on the pendant... a feedhold is
> plenty. E-Stops should be BIG red locking buttons that disconnect

Power.

> I'll keep my second E-Stop mounted right by the doorway so I can nail
> that bugger whan I am headed out in an unexpected hurry.
>
> Chris Luebke
> DATA-CUT