today i was able to simplify a task. with my LinuxCNC controlled machine, and my XHC-HB04 wireless pendant, i found it to be possible to set workpiece offset zero, with a single button on the pendant (=0). to select what axis to zero, i just turn the jogging axis selector knob. it was already built in, but i browsed the HAL driver in LinuxCNC, and found the signal names, and attached them to some G code ("G10 L20 P1 X0" for the X axis, obviously). so it is a simple matter to jog where i want the zero, press (=0), and jog the next axis to set. i love it!
at some point i hope to either build or make a digitizing probe, to help aid me in setting up the workpiece origins. they are surprisingly expensive. i still have to make a tool offset touch plate, but it is not like i just happen to have any aluminum scrap kicking around.
i keep putting off the task of cleaning up the wiring, but i really hope to get to it some this weekend. at least if i can clean up the power routing, then i can focus on the signal wiring. when i build the controls into my CNC desk, under glass, i will likely get some copper flashing to shield around the inside of the control tray as much as possible. not sure what i will do for the glass top... maybe just a plywood trap-door, shielded from underneath. i like the idea of looking through glass at my soon to be tidy control tray, but i don't want to get any stray EMI. especially from the VFD, that i will either mount on the wall behind the desk, or under the desk, somewhere.
it is coming together, little bit at a time.
~Travis