Does anyone use a touch screen with Mach2/3? I am considering buying one for my mill but don't know how well it would work (want to eliminate mouse).

I have not used Mach2/3, but have installed touch screens on some of the PC based controls, both CRT & LCD, that I have used, and so far have worked out great for eliminating the problems with having to use a mouse, I have also seen several used on other manuf. CNC machines.
The only problem is if you have a small screen where the target is small or close together.
But they eliminate physical buttons, or keep them to a minimum.
Al.

Man that would be sweet with using Mach.

I just found something you mount on your monitor for $25 on ebay, do these work?

Got a link?

here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Simply-Touch-USB-PC-Touchscreen-Monitor-Screen-17-19_W0QQitemZ5231593378QQcategoryZ3666QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

There are a few guys on the Mach2 Yahoo group that use them.

The one make I have had the best results with and the support is great, is ELO.
Regarding the link, the interfaces come in either USB or RS232, something to watch.
Al.

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=OPTICALBAR-N&cat=MON

I use a touch screen with Mach 2 on my router. It does make it fast to do things. You still need to type in numbers once in a while.

I would be wary of using that on a LCD screen as a 'normal' resistive or capacitive touch screen that goes in front of the LCD/CRT provides a hard protection between user and screen.
Al.

Forgive me, I don't understand Al, please explain.

One thing I just thought about, what if a fly lands on your screen? I'd hate to be changing tools and have a bug turn the spindle on!

Forgive me, I don't understand Al, please explain.
One thing I just thought about, what if a fly lands on your screen? I'd hate to be changing tools and have a bug turn the spindle on!

Thats why you'd need a Bug screen :idea: :)

It looks like the item shown differs from the normal way it is done by ELO and others, these manufacturers use a clear hard plastic screen that has two layers with either invisible electrodes or a resistive grid of extremely fine wires embedded, there is a connector at the screen edge that connects to
an interface that plugs into the serial port. This type is also used in restaurants etc where they get probabally the highest use of any touch screen, These usually suffer the worst over time due to the screen getting constantly tapped with credit card edges which over a period starts to cut into the hard plastic, I have usually salvaged these for the serial interface once they are shot.
The one in the link appears to just be a scanning device mounted to the top of the monitor.
Al.

I do have one from ELO.
It came from a defect 15 inch screen what was used in a bar to play mp3 music in a kind of jukebox. I removed it. And fitted again in a secound hand 15 inch LCD screen. It exist out 1 layer of harded glass. And if you hold it against to sun, you can see the thin wires on the backside.
It works perfect. There is a settings programm available. In witch you can change the sensivity of touching.
And I can still use the mouse.

And if you have problems with fly's, just change the settings. Or put the dustbin anywhere else. :D