CNC style Pendant

Fdem

Yes i'll share soon

Skysurfer

@dc42 Hi, new to this forum. I've just put together a CNC router, specifically a Workbee. I'm gobsmacked there's no way to use either the keyboard (ethernet), or a pendant. Or am I missing something? I may have been spoilt having come over from Mach3, as the Duet is a modern board.
No idea if this is the best place to renew the interest in this, but does anyone realise just how many people would love this facility?

When I replied to this thread, I was informed that it was an old thread. August last year? Six months is old?

TIA, & stay safe!

@Skysurfer said in CNC style Pendant:

but does anyone realise just how many people would love this facility?

To be blunt; not enough* - but that probably will change as more CNC users start using Duet boards. Ofc you can argue "build it and they will come". I'm still planning on making a USB gamepad work with the Duet3 and RaspberryPi but not before the RepRapFirmware and DuetSoftwareFoundation is more mature. The majority of the Duet users are 3d-printing and have a limited need for a pendant.

This approach is also quickly becoming more relevant as next iteration of the Duet 2 family will most likely also support interfacing to a Raspberry Pi or other singble board computer.

*)duet people have talked about making a pendant interface, but also after Duet3 is more stable

gtj0

Actually, I've got Python code mostly written that recognizes keypresses from programmable keypads like this one and sends them to the DSF. It actually works with most USB HID devices including things like foot switches.

Maybe I'll finish it one day.

You have to have 2 right feet to use this one though.

dc42

For those using Duet 3 + SBC there are plenty of USB-connected CNC pendants available, and I expect someone will write a DSF plugin for them soon.

For other Duet users, what's needed is a a board based on a small MCU to convert the signals from something like this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EU-Send-4-Axis-MPG-CNC-Machine-Controller-Handwenheel-Pendant-w-Emergency-Stop/273588909379 to serial commands to feed to the PanelDue port. We've had it in mind to design one for some time, but we haven't found time to do it yet.

If anyone is interested in using a v3 PanelDue controller board for this, I can help with the firmware, because the PanelDue firmware already has most of the necessary functions. Alternatively, an Arduino Nano probably has enough pins.

Danal

@dc42 said in CNC style Pendant:

For those using Duet 3 + SBC there are plenty of USB-connected CNC pendants available, and I expect someone will write a DSF plugin for them soon.

For other Duet users, what's needed is a a board based on a small MCU to convert the signals from something like this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EU-Send-4-Axis-MPG-CNC-Machine-Controller-Handwenheel-Pendant-w-Emergency-Stop/273588909379 to serial commands to feed to the PanelDue port. We've had it in mind to design one for some time, but we haven't found time to do it yet.

If anyone is interested in using a v3 PanelDue controller board for this, I can help with the firmware, because the PanelDue firmware already has most of the necessary functions. Alternatively, an Arduino Nano probably has enough pins.

For a one off, and even limited production or DIY runs, I leaned toward Arudino Pro Mini or Adafruit Trinket in the past. At this time ESP32s are purchasable through normal retail channels for $5 each, and even less if you are willing to wait. Overkill to the Nth degree, but actually cheaper...

Of course, some flavor of AtTiny if produced in any quantity.

I may take a cut at a "DIY" based on a hardwired pendant, and an ESP32. I'll order the pendant today.

Danal

Now I remember why I never order one. The are $60 to $70 (wired, not USB) on Amazon, or $30 on Aliexpress with $30 shipping and a six week wait.

Bit the bullet. It will be here mid next week.

dc42

I've just ordered a pendant similar to the one I linked to, and an Arduino Nano, so I should be able to help. I considered using an attiny but I don't think it has enough i/o pins.

arhi

@dc42 btw, can paneldue usb port behave like master to ch430/ft323/similar usb2serial device? and receive commands from there (or just passtrough to duet)?

@arhi said in CNC style Pendant:

@dc42 btw, can paneldue usb port behave like master to ch430/ft323/similar usb2serial device? and receive commands from there (or just passtrough to duet)?

currently usb is only used for programming, specs for the ATSAM3S2 say device only, no (mini) host support like the bigger chips has

arhi

@bearer I have V3 with ATSAM4S4B, that's iirc cortex m4, but if the majority of the panel's out there are atsam3s2 than the approach is wrong

@arhi stil says "device" support, some of the bigger chips say device + mini host, so same same but different i guess. interesting there are different chips (i only looked at the bossa pictures in a forum thread, easier than going to find the actual paneldues)

dc42

@arhi said in CNC style Pendant:

@dc42 btw, can paneldue usb port behave like master to ch430/ft323/similar usb2serial device? and receive commands from there (or just passtrough to duet)?

No, it can only behave as a USB device. However, the v3 PanelDue boards have hardware connections for a rotary encoder and push button.

Danal

I am not tracking something. If we had a pendant that had USB host, with what would that interact? The USB on the Duet itself?

arhi

@Danal said in CNC style Pendant:

I am not tracking something. If we had a pendant that had USB host, with what would that interact? The USB on the Duet itself?

I asked 'cause I had an idea that if the panel can be USB host then el-cheapo usb2serial + any MCU with ADC can translate a bunch of tasters into gcode and send trough panel's "console" to duet (without them sharing serial port) ...

I am working on some stand-alone wifi pendant but it's going super slow 'cause I'm pressed with bread and butter work and looks like it will not be working with SBC "upgraded" machines + I'm really making this the way I need it so dunno how universal it will be if I ever actually make it.

arhi

@dc42 said in CNC style Pendant:

No, it can only behave as a USB device. However, the v3 PanelDue boards have hardware connections for a rotary encoder and push button.

the usb2serial idea out the window

I have V3 PRC clone that I got as a gift, no other screens at all on my duet boards, I kinda prefer to use web to the touchscreen so never bothered to order some, and that one does not come with the rotary encoder+push button connector (I assume it would be Vdd, Vss, A, B, P pins).

dc42

I've written the Arduino Nano code for the pendant-to-PanelDue-port interface. Now I need to wait for the pendant and Nano to arrive so that I can test them.

@dc42 presumably this would work with any encoder? I.e. i have at least some 400/600/1200 PPR encoders in the bin and a selection of switches to mimic the quasi-schematic published with the pendant (but I guess the pendant has detents on the encoder to help with accurate positioning)

dc42

Yes it should work with any encoder that has A and B quadrature outputs.

dc42

For anyone interested in this, the pendant I have ordered looks like this:

It costs £55 here in UK shipped from Germany, or a little less direct from China. I have the Arduino Nano code ready to use when it arrives. I'm happy to share the code before then if anyone wants it, but of course it is untested.