CNC style Pendant

Danal

Why paneldue must be fix ?

This is not a "fix" for panelDUE, it will not affect existing panelDue at all.
It is an addition, for people who prefer a "hard click" wheel to a touch screen. By all means, anyone who likes the screen should stick with it.

When i use pendant, i'd like see tool coordinate.

In fact, pendant and encoder wheel can be the same device and when not used is the cnc screen

Then you are in great shape. Use the screen you have.

There are some other folks that specifically want a pendant with a click wheel, not a touch screen.

Fdem

I already done my own pendant
I use a a chinese pendant and a stm32f407 board from waveshare

It work pefectly

Why can't do a really simple pendant with only the most important thing for me :

the rotary encoder

dc42

If we ever manufacture a pendant interface, we will use a attiny44a processor, because it can be obtained in a small package (smaller than the attiny25 or attiny45), is cheaper than the attiny45, and we already use them in two types of filament monitor and the Smart Effector. It's only work pending for Duet 3 that is stopping us making a prototype now.

I appreciate that for someone building a one-off, using an Arduino Pro Micro or ESP8266 board or Teensy or similar is easier.

Danal

@fdem said in CNC style Pendant:

I already done my own pendant
I use a a chinese pendant and a stm32f407 board from waveshare

It work pefectly

That is fantastic. Are you willing to share the exact pendant, the wiring, and the STM code?

Why can't do a really simple pendant with only the most important thing for me :

the rotary encoder

I'm confused... you just said you already have one that works perfectly? Are you asking for something else to be developed?

Fdem

@danal said in CNC style Pendant:

I'm confused... you just said you already have one that works perfectly? Are you asking for something else to be developed?

i have just reply to this post
for me it's possible to have a usefull simple pendant with only 3 inputs

@dc42 said in CNC style Pendant:

BTW, PanelDue has a connector with 3 spare inputs on it. I intended this to be used to support a rotary encoder with push button. This connector might be useful to connect a pendant, however I expect a pendant would need more than 3 inputs.

Danal

@fdem said in CNC style Pendant:

@danal said in CNC style Pendant:

I'm confused... you just said you already have one that works perfectly? Are you asking for something else to be developed?

i have just reply to this post
for me it's possible to have a usefull simple pendant with only 3 inputs

@dc42 said in CNC style Pendant:

BTW, PanelDue has a connector with 3 spare inputs on it. I intended this to be used to support a rotary encoder with push button. This connector might be useful to connect a pendant, however I expect a pendant would need more than 3 inputs.

Again, that's great. As you point out, a rotary encoder only needs two inputs... phase A and B (plus power and ground). Again, this discussion is about doing more than just the encoder.

Also again, are you willing to share what you have done? Post a wiring diagram? Post the code? Here, or on github?

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!

A Former User

@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)?

A Former User

@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

A Former User

@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?