Hi Tom,
It would be nice to keep the feedhold working like it does and keep the rewind/fastforward buttons.
Could the feedhold button have 2 different states? For example if there is a tap cycle in action, c code in the feedhold button would know this and change to handle feedhold for tapping. And if not tapping the feedhold button would act how it always does. Sorry i dont how to put it in technical terms. But in short the feedhold button would actually be like 2 different feedhold buttons in one. I think this is what you are talking about in option 4 of post?
I have ran systems that will feedhold in a tap cycle, but you can not turn the spindle by hand. The spindle motor holds it from turning during feedhold/paused state.
And other systems simply dont allow you any control what soever besides Reset or Estop to stop motion.
Some older systems i have ran dont allow any feedhold/pause option during tap cycle but do allow spindle to be shut off while still maintaining axis to spindle sync. Would this be a simple way to handle feedhold during tap cycle? By just blocking feedhold but allow spindle to be switched off and on?
Also Murray, thanks for your work on this.
Troy