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  #1  
Old Fri 23 June 2006, 10:06
Gerald_D
Just call me:
 
Mach3 Pendants

Here is a place to start dumping some Mach3 pendant info:

The popular pendant has a MPG (manual pulse generator). This is a small handwheel that makes pulses as you turn it, allowing "inching" of steppers for fine positioning.....and more.....

Here is an introduction to an MPG switched into "shuttle" mode:

http://cnczone.com/forums/showthread...9&page=1&pp=15

A popular interface between the pendant and the computer is via Peter Homann's "ModIO" card:
http://www.homanndesigns.com/

Have a look at the "JogBot":
http://www.candcnc.com/
this has a prominent MPG in it.
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  #2  
Old Fri 23 June 2006, 12:26
Gerald_D
Just call me:
 
Some panels & pendants:

http://www.thewarfields.com/MTCNCPanels.htm
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  #3  
Old Sat 18 August 2007, 18:02
Tom Caudle
Just call me: Tom
 
Texas
United States of America
Gerald, we did an MPG based pendant for MACH (MPG-02). I found it to be neat to use but there were limitations. We used the SDK for MACH and a plug-in to design a smaller version with a 360 deg proportional feedrate analog jogstick and 16 dual purpose buttons. It allows you to jog two axis at the same time and switch to 3 & 4 with a push down on the Jogstick. It's got 28 functions programmed in (you can change them with our Config software) and after loading the G-code you can pretty much control the machine/MACH standing right at it. The jog mode switches let you rapid over, slow range, then switch to step mode and sneak up and touch off. This is really helpful in Z mode. Needs a 2nd parallel port and isolation card which we sell if you aren't using our BOB's or interface products. Plugs into any interface product we make.

I know everybody is intrigued with the rotary handwheels but honestly after using both I prefer the Jogstick. I took the one off the bigger shop router and the guy that runs it turned the shop upside down trying to find it!. The keyboard is right there be wanted his JOGSTICK!

You can adapt game controllers and other pendants to MACH (started out with a Wingmaster wireless) but it's just not the same as having a dedicated hand control optimized for the task.

tomCAUDLE
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  #4  
Old Sat 18 August 2007, 22:31
Gerald D
Just call me: Gerald (retired)
 
Cape Town
South Africa
Tom in the first post there is mention of your Jogbot. Does it still exist?


An extension cable for a standard keyboard works fine for us.
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  #5  
Old Fri 09 January 2009, 18:53
Art
Just call me: Art #2
 
Lancaster,Texas
United States of America
Installed SS and pendant

Upgradeded my controler with a SmoothSteper and pendant. SmothStepper went fairly well. Tomorrow I will bump kernel speed and retune motors. Also installed a pendant by Texas Micro Circuits, http://www.texasmicrocircuits.com/TxMicro/. Pendant install was no problem but I still can't find in Mach where you set the tool change position. I have tried several pendants and this one just plugs into USB port and your are running. Using it fully is another problem. I have taped the user manual to the wall till I learn all the features. Other than the rotary switch all controls are easy to use with one hand. Changing the jog sped between slow, fast and incremental is accomplished by just pressing down on top of joy stick.
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  #6  
Old Fri 09 January 2009, 20:16
Gerald D
Just call me: Gerald (retired)
 
Cape Town
South Africa
Art, are you not supposed to reduce the kernel speed to 25kHz when you use a SmoothStepper?
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  #7  
Old Mon 19 July 2010, 08:44
obuhus
Just call me: Dmitriy #68
 
Kirov region
Russia
Greetings to all.
I have found here http://www.piengineering.com/xkeys/xkdesk.php


It is very similar to it http://www.flashcutcnc.com/popup/OP_01_details.php



How you think, it can be used as programmed Pendant together with Mach3?
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  #8  
Old Mon 19 July 2010, 08:57
MetalHead
Just call me: Mike
 
Columbiana AL
United States of America
Anyone tried one of these?
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Logitech.jpg (6.0 KB, 469 views)
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  #9  
Old Mon 19 July 2010, 09:10
obuhus
Just call me: Dmitriy #68
 
Kirov region
Russia
But we build the serious car! With this device looks not seriously

X-keys Desktop USB it seems more professionally and conveniently:
# Connects to the USB port just like an USB keyboard
# Includes MacroWorks 3 software for Windows (or ControllerMate for Mac OS-X)
# Hardwired 52 "(1.32 m) cord
...

I can is not right...
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  #10  
Old Mon 19 July 2010, 10:42
sailfl
Just call me: Nils #12
 
Winter Park, FL
United States of America
The XKDesk is nice but you need a wheel for refined movement. You need an interface for mach 3. I am using a Contour Shuttle Pro 2. Since some one created a mach interface to allow more macros and Contour beefed up the buttons it works great.
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  #11  
Old Mon 19 July 2010, 11:28
obuhus
Just call me: Dmitriy #68
 
Kirov region
Russia
Thanks, Nils. I will think and search for an optimum variant for myself.
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  #12  
Old Thu 22 July 2010, 04:06
Robert M
Just call me: Robert
 
Lac-Brome, Qc
Canada
Send a message via Yahoo to Robert M Send a message via Skype™ to Robert M
Anyone tried one of these?

Hey Mike, sorry you couldn’t not see my raised hand….. I DO !!
Robert
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  #13  
Old Sat 24 July 2010, 05:58
AuS MaDDoG
Just call me: Tony #71
 
Brisbane
Australia
Skippy & I will be using those too Mike

Cheers
Tony.
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