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.

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.

Hi Ray,


A couple of things. It is a very hard question to answer as different machines require different control layouts. Also it depends what the operator feels comfortable with. Since you are building it, you can choose the features you line.

Plan to use a LCD touch screen as part of your panel. That way you don't need so many buttons and knobs (Unless you want to). Also it allow you to change thing around if you are not happy with the layout.

A hand-held jog pendant is also very useful for set-up and cycle control.

Have a look at MachMotion, it may give you some ideas, or you may want to purchase something ready made;
http://www.machmotion.com/product_info.php?cPath=30&products_id=59

I also sell the ModIO and a nice jog pendant that you may find useful.;
http://homanndesigns.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=28
http://homanndesigns.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=4

The main thing is just ask lots of questions.

Cheers,

Peter.