Re: What a mess 4 - Pendant

[Paul Corner <Paul.Corner-at-tesco.net>]

Hi Arne
> 
> Just a question.  What if you just described this, the way you would like one. 
> Say, make it a list of priorities, - what is needed and what would be nice to
> have.

> 1.  Essential:
- A really BIG latching emergency stop button
> - button  - spindle start/stop 
> - button  - program/cycle start
> - button  - stop
> - button  - single step
> - dial ( encoder     )  - axis jog	- Electronic handwheel
> - button - axis dial engage x,y,z ...
> - button  - coolant on/off


> 
> 
> 
> 2: like to have:
> - dial (var resistor )  - feed-rate override 
> - dial ( var resistor )  - spindle RPM 	-  Or increase/decrease button.
> - button  - retrace
- Spindle Brake on/off
- Jog step or handwheel resolution

> - button  - jog x,y, z 		- Not with an electronic handwheel

I've just added to your list - hope you don't mind.
I would agree with you, a standard keyboard is not the sort of thing to have
near a machine. The thoughts I had on a pendant control revolved around another
parallel interface - If a serial interface was used, it would be no great
problem to use an IR link. The E-stop would still be best hard wired in.
(hasn't this been discussed on the CAD_CAM_DRO list)

Regards, Paul