I for one would like the rotary knob setup, I am looking forward to seeing what you guys come up with!
Yes, a physical knob you could hold on to while watching the tool and part would be better
No, Id rather have to look at the screen instead, make sure the cursor is over the slider, etc
Very cool! I looked at that exact pendant in the video, and I didn't think it supported pathpilot? And looking through the pathpilot code I didn't see anything to support such a pendant... only the few select HID hotkeys and shuttlexpress. So that leads me to believe there is a custom program or manual edits to the existing interface... either case good work! I really like the standalone encoder also and probably that route Ill go with my project.
Thanks for posting!
Pete
I for one would like the rotary knob setup, I am looking forward to seeing what you guys come up with!
mike sr
Turbostep: now if you can get the jog controls on the vistacnc pendant as well, I will throw money at you in approbation for whatever your solution is!
Tim
Tormach 1100-3 mill, Grizzly G0709 lathe, PM935 mill, SolidWorks, HSMWorks.
Yea, unfortunately, you have to add code to pathpilot to accept these hotkeys. From what I am seeing they handle all overrides inside of pathpilot and not through linuxcnc. They also don't have the keys mapped either. Not sure why, but I am sure they have a good reason. I have started to add hotkeys to my pathpilot as I see the need. Definitely not as easy as mach, but doable.
Pete
You mean like this:
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/tormac...ml#post1971570
Step
Here is a quick video update on the override controls for Pathpilot. I ended up going with pots rather than encoders. The reasoning is I want to have the knob pointer line up consistently with engraving/decal on the faceplate, once I get the new enclosure in. The only other way I could think of was to go with an absolute encoder and this project doesn't seem worth it, especially when I would need 3 of them. The downside is you fight jitter with pots, but these are currently radioshack quality, and I've put as much filtering as possible to cope. I have new ones coming in tomorrow that should make all the difference, at the worst, I can add some software filtering which I really don't want to do. Also, you will notice, the max velocity has an "off" position if fully rotated. This is a nice audible/tactile feature so it doesn't get bumped unitentionally when at 0. The new pots for Feed and Spindle, will have a center detent to allow you to lock in to 100% easier. I also may add a software tolerance band to the 100% position to make it easier to locate to, I find it frustrating in the current configuration. The location (under the keyboard) is not permanent. I am going to try it out for a couple weeks and see how it feels.
Sorry for the audio...
As far as posting code, I've had a couple requests for source. Its not as simple as an arduino sketch or one file change.... its several changes to pathpilot with several files to get this functionality. Its not an easy thing to simply send across a forum. I may consider taking the necessary steps to make it open source, however, I am just not there yet. I apologize. Send me an email if you want to discuss further...
Thanks,
Pete
Hey Pete,
Outstanding!!!! Any chance to add a fourth knob for jog velocity? I'll send you an email. Count me in! I've never understood why Tormach did not include something like this in a better joystick than the jog shuttle.
Awall - The Body Armor Dude
CoolCNCStuff_ on Instagram - CoolCNCStuff.com
Love the idea of physical knobs for feed over ride. Another gizmo that would be great IMO is a 3-wheel handle jog something like my sketch. Dedicated dials each axis oriented intuitively. No switching between xyz or forgetting what it was last set to. A lot of folks coming from the world of manual machines might agree and would reduce Haimer tip deaths
I think thats a great idea Paul. After seeing the old guys knock out some parts on the manuals, you can't help but stop and think if maybe there is a better way on these machines. Here is a demo a handwheel modification I am working on. I'd like to have something like this on all three axis, or integrated into a single package like you outlined, just like a manual... cleaned up of course!
Wohoo my first post
I have been thinking of building my own custom keyboard and control unit with specific buttons when I came across this. I really like the Idea and is something that I would love to include in my project.
I used to use an old CNC lathe during my apprenticeship days and it had small knobs so you could use it as a manual lathe and it worked really well. Although I would mainly want to have a small knob to adjust the current path pilot sliders for now. But It would be very handy to have manual controls on the mill. the shuttle jog controller doesn't cut it sometimes.
Here is the latest on the physical overrides project I've been working on. Still a couple more things to make it "perfect" lol.
Bad news... it has to have an update to Pathpilot 1.9.7 to work. Good news... its simple, no edits, and takes a minute. Shoutout to smoke for testing!
Pete
Awall - The Body Armor Dude
CoolCNCStuff_ on Instagram - CoolCNCStuff.com
Very cool. I like how simple it is to program.
the latest yall! Now to make some more...
Programming the buttons is simple, I like that.
What do you have to do to get pathpilot to recognize your controller? Is that simple as well or how is it done?
mike sr
Having tried a joystick, I can say that the speed control has to be built into each axis controller like the round Tormach controller. Yes, you have to change axis on the Tormacg controller, but it boosts up through the step speeds all the way to rapid. Otherwise, it is untenable. You will definitely break your Haimer. I re-purposed the joystick to my plasma table where it works quite satisfactorily.
It does require a patch to Pathpilot unfortunately, but I've made it simple. I sent a box off to Andrew (smokediver576) a couple weeks ago and I just sent him an email with the file and he threw it on a USB stick. I think he said it best, "It's a super easy patch that you apply. I updated to 1.9.7 then applied the single file patch. Nothing to edit line by line or anything like that. No harder than doing a normal update."
Unfortunately, every time you update Pathpilot it wipes out my patch. But then again, maybe that is a good thing, it allows you to revert back to the original if you ever wanted to.
I am hoping to have the 1.9.8 patch done tonight.
Pete
I want you to know that I sure admire your efforts in this matter!
I am just now getting a handle on how to change the .ini files, Linux is not very simple to program at least for me... so I was just wondering, not criticizing or complaining in any way.
mike sr