Remote Cylce Start and stop button

[PoppaBear10]

Tormach has Purposly "Crippled" the Mach3 Screen that it sends to keep users from doing custom stuff, above and beyond what the OEM is willing to accept Liability from.

So, If you want to do what you want, then to keep your warrenty, contact Tormach and have them "Add" the inputs you need and perhaps modify the screen to your needs. I can't say that I blame then one single bit for the way they have done thier release model.

BUT, having said that, if YOU are willing to sign a Liablitly release for them (you can contact them to get one). Then you could just download a copy of Machs Screen 3, or Screen 4, to do your screen changes, AND you would also need to do a "Install" of machs latest Dev release, to "restore" the crippled screen back to mach standard.

In mach Standard install, and screens, it is a Non-Issue to do what you want. Again, though, I highly recommend you have Tormach do the changes you want, or sign a liablity release and do it yourself.

scott

[zephyr9900]

Originally Posted by PoppaBear10 In mach Standard install, and screens, it is a Non-Issue to do what you want.

Software-wise, sure, Scott. I'm using Mach3 for my home-converted lathe right now. And I've done some tweaking (minor stuff, like axis homing order, etc.) on my "Tor/Mach" installation.

But that leaves the non-availability of digital input lines on the Tormach Machine Control Board, unless they have radically changed the design since my fall-2006 machine.

BlueFin's suggestion of the keyboard wedge is a good one. All R.DesJardin wants to do is duplicate a couple of keystrokes (alt-R, alt-S) that are already in the Tor/Mach screenset, with auxiliary buttons.

edit: And there are the USB "X-Keys" programmable auxiliary keyboards which I had forgotten about: stick and numberpad formats.

Randy

[zephyr9900]

Aaah, the shoe drops. Second parallel port for the BOB... That could get interesting.

Randy

[PoppaBear10]

yeap,
I did add a second BOB on mine........ Bi Direcitonal so 10 inputs extra, plus 5 outputs, and a Modbus controlled PLC..........

BUT, I did do the "Mach Standard" exe.......... and yes, you can do the "Other profile/exe" from Tormach as well with thier blessings......

scott

[R.DesJardin]

OK,
Then I should be able to disect a mouse, wire in a couple switches from Radio Shack, put them in a Polycase enclosure and set the buttons to Alt S and Alt R.

[zephyr9900]

As long as it was a 5-button mouse that you could program the two side buttons for alt-R and alt-S.

edit: Something like

this

this

or

this

this

or

this

this

would probably work.

Randy

[R.DesJardin]

I bought a programmable mouse with a side button, and actually am just using the side button on the mouse for the Cycle Start, ten times handier than point and click. Still thinking about disecting it to make a go button I can "hit" when my hands have coolant residue on them from a tool change.
Now I just need to save up for a touch screen.

[zephyr9900]

Neat, R. A nice solution. If it's an optical mouse, can you just put it in a baggie in the meantime? Just a wacky thought--I've seen guys do that with their keyboards in the shop...

Randy

[MPCRice]

For a while, I used an Ergodex gaming keypad for my inputs. I designed a custom layout for the direction keys, the ESC, START, STOP, Pause, single step, and maybe another one or two. It was real easy to program using the simulated keystrokes. I really liked the convenience. I could start/pause/stop/ at will without having to reach for the keyboard or mouse.

However, I ran in to trouble a few times. Even though the START button was not immediately at the edge, there were a few times it was hit accidentally. Guess what - the machine started. Fortunately, my fingers were not too close to the cutter. Now I use the Tormach shuttle and the keyboard for starts and stops

Whatever you do, carefully consider what would happen if you dropped your device, it got splashed, something fell on it, a child came by and pushed the pretty button, and everything else that might remotely happen before you finally to go with another START button.

John

[justgary]

I have found that I can hit Alt-R on the keyboard much faster than I can even grab the mouse. It's kind of like speed loading a revolver; if you visualize the 'Alt' key as you approach, you can hold it and quickly aim for the 'R' key in one rocking motion. I'm probably well under one second, including the reach to the keyboard.

Give it a try!

- Just Gary

[R.DesJardin]

But then I would have to remember where the R is, and also not hit the T,E,D, or F by accident. Never have been very good at the keyboard thing. I prefer the mouse when using my CAD and CAM programs, but I know guys you use all the keystroke shortcuts. Not me.