Mpg?

[UKRobotics]

How does one go about connecting an MPG to a computer ? Am I right in thinking an MPG is just an encoder with a handle on it ?

How many parrallel port pins would it consume?

[andy55]

How does one go about connecting an MPG to a computer ?
Am I right in thinking an MPG is just an encoder with a handle on it ?

Yes, an MPG gives out the same kind of A/B quadrature pulses as an encoder normaly does. Most MPGs do not have an index pulse I think.

Detents might be nice, i.e. the handle stays put in one position if you don't touch it even if you accidentaly push or tilt the MPG.

How many parrallel port pins would it consume?

Two, encoder output A and B. Depending on how many pulses per rev your encoder is the inputs need to be read fairly fast.
I've done it with EMC and a 100ppr jogwheel, don't know about other software.

[BobWarfield]

There is some useful information on MPG's here:

http://www.rogersmachine.net/index.html

Best,

BW