Roland, You might be interested in some of the work I've done on this: http://ckcnc.wordpress.com/2011/02/13/we-have-a-winner/
I solved the problem by adding a 25-key keypad, so there's both an MPG and buttons for continuous feed of any axis. I think the continuous feed is very useful for using the mill in pseudo-manual mode. I've experimented with a variety of encoders for the MPG, and I definitely prefer detents. So far, my favorite of the bunch is a Grayhill 32-count encoder, which retails for $26 at the usual places going down to I think half that in quantities of 100. It's an optical encoder so the output is very clean and reliable. I've also experimented with some mechanical ones that cost closer to $3 each, but they are less reliable; that is, if you move them slowly, one click = one pulse, but if you start rotating them at a steady rate, 10 clicks might equal 5 or 8 pulses. This was with no effort to smooth the signal in any way, so YMMV. The hardest part for me has been the keypad. The approach I've done in the video linked above actually feels nicer in the hand than it looks, and while not NEMA-rated, should hold up well for ordinary usage. But it's fussy to fabricate and have it not look, well, homemade. Membrane keypads would simplify this greatly, but at non-trivial cost, and without the benefit of allowing end-users to make their own custom keypads. On Fri, Mar 25, 2011 at 7:15 AM, Roland Jollivet <[email protected]>wrote: > Hi All > > I'm looking at manufacturing low cost OEM MPG's and just wanted to field > opinion on the wheel. > > Some have a knob on them, while others have a few indents in the wheel. > Personally I see the indent as preferable, as in not getting bumped/bent, > but just wanted to see if there was some consensus or convincing arguments > for either. > Since this list has the brightest people around, I thought it's the best > place to ask ;-) > > Yes, best option is to provide both. > > Regards > Roland > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Enable your software for Intel(R) Active Management Technology to meet the > growing manageability and security demands of your customers. Businesses > are taking advantage of Intel(R) vPro (TM) technology - will your software > be a part of the solution? Download the Intel(R) Manageability Checker > today! http://p.sf.net/sfu/intel-dev2devmar > _______________________________________________ > Emc-users mailing list > [email protected] > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Enable your software for Intel(R) Active Management Technology to meet the growing manageability and security demands of your customers. Businesses are taking advantage of Intel(R) vPro (TM) technology - will your software be a part of the solution? Download the Intel(R) Manageability Checker today! http://p.sf.net/sfu/intel-dev2devmar _______________________________________________ Emc-users mailing list [email protected] https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
