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USB Pendant

Discussion in 'Other Builds' started by oni305, Aug 3, 2014.

USB Pendant

USB Pendant

Discussion in 'Other Builds' started by oni305, Aug 3, 2014.

An USB Pendant for LinuxCNC / Mach3

USB Pendant LinucCNC Mach3
  1. oni305

    oni305 Well-Known
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    #1 oni305, Aug 3, 2014
  2. winand

    winand Well-Known
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    Love this project!
    Which Arduino are you using, it's not a Arduino nano is it? (don't think it's capable of emulating key strokes cause it does not have host capabillities)
    Also, could you post your programm code once the project is working?
    :thumbsup:
     
    #2 winand, Aug 3, 2014
  3. winand

    winand Well-Known
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    ATmega32u4 i read, so it's a Arduino micro?
     
    #3 winand, Aug 3, 2014
  4. oni305

    oni305 Well-Known
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    (Despite the fact that i'm Italian) This isn't an arduino, at the moment the board is this: (Adafruit Atmega32u4 Breakout Board) http://www.adafruit.com/products/296
    It's possible to use the arduino MICRO / LEONARDO or the TEENSY v2, which are basically the same board [btw the keyboard is a device not an host]

    When the software will be ready, I'll REdesign the PCB because i want a clean project and i plan to make my own enclosure & rubber keypad :cool:
     
    #4 oni305, Aug 3, 2014
  5. Tweakie

    Tweakie OpenBuilds Team
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    A very interesting and useful project - I am looking forward to following your progress with this :thumbsup:

    Tweakie.
     
    #5 Tweakie, Aug 3, 2014
  6. oni305

    oni305 Well-Known
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    I'm quite undecided whether to do it wireless or wired

    Wireless:
    - more expensive (2 board, 2 case, extra components)
    - more code complexity
    - require battery
    - more complex case design (battery compartment)

    Wired
    - less expensive
    - simpler

    I think that wired is enough because the distance of the Mill from the PC is not so great...

    What do you think about? suggestions?
     
    #6 oni305, Aug 3, 2014
  7. raykholo

    raykholo New
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    I think wireless would be a much better build because of the potential it provides. I imagine this as a wireless light switch that I could mount on an opposing wall from a machine, and of course be able to take it off the mounting bracket when I walk into the room and control the mill from afar.
    Bluetooth isn't ideal here, Xbee is more expensive but simpler to implement, but this Nordic line may work for you very well: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/691 You'll need 2 of them, and links are on the page for arduino code, examples, etc... They're mad cheap out of China btw, if you want to go that route, but it's probably easier to get started using known hardware...

    As far as enclosures and battery compartments, go to http://www.okwenclosures.com/ and http://www.pactecenclosures.com/free-samples.php.

    I wanted to recommend http://newageenclosures.com/cart.php?m=product_list&c=1 but they don't send out samples anymore.

    Of course, if you have a 3D printer, you can always just print cases :)
     
    #7 raykholo, Aug 5, 2014
  8. oni305

    oni305 Well-Known
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    I already possess some nRF24L01+ module, but i'm still not convinced to go wireless for this reasons:

    - You have to stay close to the machine to use the pendant effectively
    - The price triples (or even more) two rf module, another microcontroller, another PCB, another case


    For the case i'm planning to mill it and creating my own keypad with silicone
     
    #8 oni305, Aug 5, 2014
  9. Tweakie

    Tweakie OpenBuilds Team
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    Last year a guy on another forum reported having problems with his machine - after about two pages of discussion and various member's suggestions to rectify the fault he discovered his problem - batteries were down on a wireless device. :banghead:

    I appreciate that sophisticated signal encoding methods has made wireless devices much safer and less prone to outside RF interference than they were a few years ago but, in the interests of safety (my personal safety), I still prefer 'hard wired' when it comes to machine operation.

    Tweakie.
     
    #9 Tweakie, Aug 6, 2014
    Jestah and oni305 like this.
  10. oni305

    oni305 Well-Known
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    Someone can help me on the Mach3 side of Keyboard Shortcuts? Maybe @Tweakie :) ?

    I've identified these shortcuts, for LinuxCNC/Axis there are no problems, but I do not know for Mach3, I miss those with "???" and the other I do not know if they are correct

    Keyboard Shortcuts:

    Function LinuxCNC Mach3

    E-Stop F1 ???
    Power F2 ALT + r

    Jog first axis Left and Right Left and Right
    Jog second axis Up and Down Up and Down
    Jog third axis PgUp and PgDown PgUp and PgDown
    Jog fourth axis [ and ] ???

    Jog Speed , and . [ and ]
    Angular Jog speed < and > ???

    Select X axis x ???
    Select Y axis y ???
    Select Z axis z ???
    Select A axis a ???

    Home selected axis Home Home

    Enter Enter y
    Run program r CTRL + j
    Pause program p x
    Resume program s z
    Stop program ESC i

    Spindle forward F9 F5
    Aux1 (mist) F7 SPACE
    Aux2 (flood) F8 CTRL + f

    Clear Plot CTRL + k ???
     
    #10 oni305, Aug 10, 2014
  11. Tweakie

    Tweakie OpenBuilds Team
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    Hi Oni,

    This about the best I can do at the moment (It's not something I know about because I never use keyboard shortcuts, just screen buttons :) )

    Tweakie.

    keyboard.jpg
     
    #11 Tweakie, Aug 10, 2014
    Jestah likes this.

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