I've just bought myself a lovely new Birmingham knee mill, which I will be immediately doing a 3-axis CNC conversion on. As part of the conversion, I want to build a nice control panel, which will house the computer display (LCD panel), keyboard, and a nice assortment of controls for common operations, and simple manual operations. If it makes sense, I'll also make a pendant, wireless if that has benefit. I'll be using Mach3 for the controller.

So, the question is: What functions does it make sense to put on the control panel and/or pendant. Some are, I think, obvious:

E-stop
Spindle speed/direction controls
Jog controls for all axes (joystick?)
Coolant on/off control?

What else should I include? Being an electrical engineer and a software guy, I have no problem with putting some "intelligence" in the control panel, if it's used to include some useful functionality.

I've never used a "real" CNC machine, just my self-converted X2 mini-mill, so I'd be interested in learning what kind of front panel functionality real CNC machines have as well.

Let's have some ideas!

Regards,
Ray L.

Hoss the X2 magician on here has a controller for his Mach 3 setup if you havent seen it you might want to check out what functions his has just to give you a baseline. His site is www.hossmachine.com

Hoss the X2 magician on here has a controller for his Mach 3 setup if you havent seen it you might want to check out what functions his has just to give you a baseline. His site is www.hossmachine.com

Thanks, that does help some, but he doesn't really detail what all the controls are. I can make out some in the photos, but not all. Hopefully, he'll respond to the thread with some suggestions.

Regards,
Ray L.

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43651&page=5

Hoss posted an explenation of the control panel in this topic. There is one picture with a great view over the control panel where you can also see the labels for all the buttons and switches on it.

I'll be building a new control panel during xmas vacation.
Got my inspiration from the Machmotion (http://www.machmotion.com/product_info.php?cPath=30&products_id=59)panels.
Will add a built in LCD screen like theirs.
I'll be adding a LOT more switches and stuff than they use.
I like the joystick for rapiding around the table but going to add a Manual Pulse Generator (http://www.cnc4pc.com/Store/osc/index.php?cPath=40).
Merging the old control panel with the new one, keeping the jog buttons
and feedhold buttons (locking momentary switches)
Adding a bunch of toggles for Op Stop, Block Delete, Single Block, etc.
Also selectors for Feed Rate and Jog Rate.
Switches for manual Power Drawbar and Flood Coolant control.
And of course Cycle Start, Feed Hold and E Stop.
Really just needed something bigger to house all the electronics and get away from my rats nest.
Hoss

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43651&page=5

Hoss posted an explenation of the control panel in this topic. There is one picture with a great view over the control panel where you can also see the labels for all the buttons and switches on it.


Thanks! That does help!

I'll be building a new control panel during xmas vacation.
Got my inspiration from the Machmotion (http://www.machmotion.com/product_info.php?cPath=30&products_id=59)panels.
Will add a built in LCD screen like theirs.
I'll be adding a LOT more switches and stuff than they use.
I like the joystick for rapiding around the table but going to add a Manual Pulse Generator (http://www.cnc4pc.com/Store/osc/index.php?cPath=40).
Merging the old control panel with the new one, keeping the jog buttons
and feedhold buttons (locking momentary switches)
Adding a bunch of toggles for Op Stop, Block Delete, Single Block, etc.
Also selectors for Feed Rate and Jog Rate.
Switches for manual Power Drawbar and Flood Coolant control.
And of course Cycle Start, Feed Hold and E Stop.
Really just needed something bigger to house all the electronics and get away from my rats nest.
Hoss

Hoss,

I will look forward to seeing what you come up with. I'm sure you'll keep us posted! :-)

Regards,
Ray L.