I am reaching the point of my benchmill conversion where I am jogging the machine around and getting ready to do some cutting. I have a few questions that are eating away in my mind. Let’s start with letting you know I am a machinist, not an electronics technician or a VB guru. I am somewhat computer literate though.

1) What is the best way to implement an encoder as an mpg
a) I can use a modIO and the serial port ( will this translate the pulses)
b) I can use a keyboard immulator and key grabber ( leaning this way )
1) would this use mpg in mach or would it be set to step?
c) I can interface with the parallel port ( is this a modIO? Will it translate the pulses?)
d) What would be the easiest way to have an encoder as an mpg for each axis?
e) Use the “shuttle” devise that has been talked about a little lately instead?
f) Any other options that I have missed while reading through posts?
2) What is the best way to implement my e-stop, would I use a relay? My power supply matches my needs pretty close at 48vdc, I expect somewhere around 15 to 20 amps max.
3) Are there any plans floating around for a tool changer for the rongfu square column mill?
4) If I choose a modIO and wire my encoders in to it will I be able to power off the drives and manually move the machine around with handles and then power them back up without loosing position (like a standard eztrak)
5) What is the best way to implement a feed override knob?



Thanks, Danny

At the top of the list how is the best way to hook up the e-stop button. This is the one that scares me the most, rightnow I have joged the machine without it, but am not at all comfortable with it.

Danny

Help is on the way, Danny!

I ran my E-stop in the following way. The E-stop switch circuit (numerous buttons in series, normally closed) controls a relay. Through this relay, I ran the power (48VDC in my case) for my drives. Right or wrong - it works. My system is layed out in a way that changes are very easy to make, but I have been running it this way for about 8 months now and I haven't blown anything up (yet).

Scott

would you hapopen to have any pictures of how your layout is, easy to change is one thing mine is not at this point. this electronics part can be very overwheliming.

Danny

Here are just a few pics of the way I chose to manage the components for my control panel:

Wow, that looks great. I have been thinking about what would be the best way to get mine layed out. I have the worst problem being sloppy. Electronics kick me in the head sometimes. I have the relays for the e-stop and now am kicking around the ideas of where to implement them. I bought enough to put one after the drive one each axis, and am leaning this way. I am thinking that limit switches and e-stop could be the same thing where all switches must be on for the relay to feed power. Does that sound reasonable, or would that just be too much to loop together?

Danny