Command Post for Mach2 Help??

[foamcutter]

I need a little help, well maybe a lot of help. I have downloaded Mach 2 for evaluation, so far I think it is great. I am trying to hookup a USB command post that I can use for basic functions like jogging the axis, start, stop etc.. I read somewhere on CNC zone that you could get a Command Post like used for video editing and hook it up and designate certain buttons to do certain things. Well I have the command post but can't figure out how to configure Mach2 so that any of the buttons will work. Can anyone help? Am I off in La La Land wanting to do this? Thanks Ron

[Moondog]

Hello Command Post.

I am probably not the best to answer this as I am evaluating Mach2 as well.

Have you downloaded the manual as well?...

With Mach 2 there is an additional program called Hot Keys ( in the Mach 2 directory on your hard drive). This program is used to define the keys etc that you can use on a Joystick/emulator etc.

Hope this helps.

cheers

[foamcutter]

Moondog,
I guess I did not realize there was a manual to download, Duh! I will see if I can do that and the Hot keys program as well. Thanks for the heads up. Let me know what you think of the program after you play with it a little. Thanks Ron

[turmite]

Ron the Mach2 manual is in the process of being completely redone. It is a large pdf file ( well it is for me, dialup) so I am going to offer another option. Mach2 has a yahoo board that has tons of folks that can help you. I was really hoping they would move here to the zone and after Paul gets the new upgrade done who knows? You can find the link on the mach2 site .

Mike

[foamcutter]

turmite,
Yes the pdf is a large file for me too, but I have my printer working on it now. I really hate to try and read manuals online, I always print them out so I can refer back to them later. I signed up for the yahoo group thing and have been getting lots of emails from it, but truthfully I really like this forum better, a lot better, and was going to resort to the yahoo group as a last resort. I have looked over the manual a little as it prints and I think it will answer my questions. Thanks for the imput. Are you using Mach2 and if so how do you like it? Thanks Ron

[Art Fenerty]

Hi:

Just a note, that to remotely control from USB or other devices, Mach2 accepts "hot-keys" no matter where they come from. USB joysticks and such all control MAch2 from the hot-key assignments made to the device as well as to the screens. The screen designer can be used to set custome hot-keys to match hardwired devices, and VB script and such may be tied to buttons with Hot-Key assignments to support most "key-stroke" devices.

Thanks, Hope this helps,
Art
www.artofcnc.ca

[foamcutter]

Art,
Thanks for the help. I have not yet got it to work. When I first open keygrabber it gives me the error "unable to open file default grab". I then open Mach2 from keygrabber and open keygrabber on top of mach2 I get one green led but the program never recognizes my command post, in fact it says no game device is found. The command post is a Video editing command post with 15 buttons, one joystick, a fade in and out lever and a spinning knob. When I connect the command post windows recognizes it and says it is working properly. It is USB connection, I am using windows xp on a notebook. I am still looking thru the manual trying to figure out what I am missing. Any suggestions? Thanks Ron

[turmite]

foamcutter,

Yes I use Mach2 and love it. I am still at v.4.0b and waiting till the next lockdown before upgrading my machine. I have a large machine and need a teach pendent or joystick or something. I got one of the wireless keyboard and mouse combos and the keyboard will controll the machine up to about 12 ft from the computer....but sometimes it misses a signal if you know what I mean. I found out two things the other day. At 12 ft the signal is intermittent......and I make a really strong carbon fiber and balsa wood benchrest rifle stock.

I stalled a 450 oz stepper at low speed (high torque), plus the weight of the z axis and router motor. That stall was while setting the tool tip on a 1/2" diam bit used as a .5" reference above the wood. The stock didn't break!

Mike