Thanks John, this is similar to the controller that I had with Mach 3 for the DWC Router.? This would be a substantial improvement, if I can get it to communicate with Planet CNC TNG.? I am sure they are sourcing products and then marking them up with assembly and User support.? ALL are valuable of course.? In this model of assembly/sales you stay captive to the maker of your CNC Router.
Perhaps I need to contact them directly and go around the seller of the units and ask directly with Planet CNC TNG if the Pendant Controller can be added to my unit.
Is this logical question to the software developer.? ? I think the software is from Slovenia...???
I feel like I am on the brink of being able to set up the communication between the software and the machine for a Pendant Controller.? I just need to tell Planet CNC this controller is now plugged in via USB and the resolution of the steppers.? Essentially as if I were loading a printer driver for printer; instead I need to create an additional "Profile for the Pendant" .
I do not have the confidence to move back to Mach 3 because I anticipate I would be on my own at that point.
I suspect the model of assemble, sale and build your own brand allows the vendor to have some control to support the customer but upgrading again just seems like a repetitive pattern to eventually the concept of subscription model, where I pay them for a piece of equipment I already own.
I had an unhappy complicated experience with Bob Cad v xx. I think you need a lot of experience for Bob Cad, ie mfg experience and my experience was playing with graphic software.? ? The most complicated thing I could do in past with software before this, is that I could program macros for Lotus 1-2-3, and Excel, using tables.? Although I have not needed to do this for a while.??After I purchased a Vectric Product my learning curve became more intuitive and I was able to manage simple 2D operations with ease.? ?I am happy with Vectric for my CAD/CAM and the post processors exist for Vectric from DWC.? They just don't want to give me pendant.? Their pendant doesn't have a dial which I believe is a happier user experience for micro stepping.??
All of this is because I don't think the machine returns to 0,0,0, precisely. It is easier for me to mark 0,0,0, manually and adjust it manually but the EXACT same steppers are not as easy to move the router as they used to be with a pendant.? It is like I lost some steps, so I spend 6 minutes getting back to 0,0,0, for a 2 sided job that will run 3 minutes.? Makes me crazy.? My 2 sided jobs need to be as precise as possible.
I would prefer my next upgrade would be a water cooled spindle as I don't like the noise of the router, but I haven't actually heard a water cooled spindle in use, but getting rid of the loudness of the router would be welcomed; I simply wear ear plugs all the time when I'm in the shop babysitting my machine.? Generally, my jobs are not long running, so I don't leave it unattended for long.? I have a there best option of Porter Cable Router and with my minimal use this router is going to last for a long time; and I'm sure I can replace the brushes should it need them before I need to replace the Porter Cable Router.
More then a year ago I was "teased" with they would program a game controller as a Pendant for my generation machine, but I'm tired of waiting... the world is still fighting the Pandemic.
I can review the video they have posted to use the Staples numeric controller, but I don't understand the parameters of the pendant controller to even play with it.? How do I figure out the pendant's requirements, is this only a function of the stepper motors?
And that surge toasted my old system.? I do own all my software legally and have all my receipts including Mach3.? Planet CNC TNG, Vectric, Bob Cad, Corel Draw, etc.??
Thanks - Tamra
Tamra