Re: Pendant Design, was - Spindle Motor Control?

Ballendo, and others
Thanks for your comments. You make some very good points. Here are my
thoughts so far.

> My questions are not is it usb, but rather is it to be tightly
> integrated with some specific software package(s)? Or is it simply
> a "keystroke emulator"? Does it have a display?

USB is the likley choice so far. As well, I don't want to be limited
to one software package. For simplicity and versatility, I am leaning
toward a keyboard emulator. And for the same reasons, I would like to
keep the functions to a minimum generic set that are present in one
way or another in most software packages. I wont use a display either.
The benefits will be low cost and versatility. I know that a "smart"
pendant could be designed to handle dozens of functions including file
handling, but I don't think the added complexity and cost would be
worth it to most hobbyists. So far from the feedback I have received,
the following functions should be enough.

(1) Escape (or some other word than e-stop)
(2) Feed Rate override.
(3) Axis jogging. (Fast & Slow) eg << < X > >>
(4) Zero all axis.
(5) Move all axis to the Home position.
(6) Tool change button
(7) Cycle Start
(8) F1 -?
(9) F2 -?
(10) F3 -?

Functionkeys could be app specific or user definable. Depends on the
control method I choose, still looking at options.

Again thanks for the input and a smart pendant is a good idea and
definitely has its place.