USB CNC Pendant project

chimaeragh

@hurzhurz Will this work with the 4 axis version, WHB04B-4? I don't need to control that many axes and it seems to be half the cost of the 6-axis on AliExpress

oliof

Great work @hurzhurz. It would be cool to see if you (or anyone else) could adopt the FluidNC M5Dial Pendant as well.

hurzhurz

@chimaeragh said in USB CNC Pendant project:

@hurzhurz Will this work with the 4 axis version, WHB04B-4? I don't need to control that many axes and it seems to be half the cost of the 6-axis on AliExpress

I can't tell for sure, but I think the chances are good that the 4 axis version works as well.
For the most part, I used the protocol description from the LinuxCNC driver: https://github.com/LinuxCNC/linuxcnc/tree/master/src/hal/user_comps/xhc-whb04b-6
I think I read a comment somewhere that the WHB04B-4 was used successful with the LinuxCNC WHB04B-6 driver by someone.
And I can't imagine that there would be a difference needed in the protocol.

Though it could be that the dongle of the 4 axis version has a different USB PID. But that would be trivial to fix.

hurzhurz

@oliof said in USB CNC Pendant project:

Great work @hurzhurz. It would be cool to see if you (or anyone else) could adopt the FluidNC M5Dial Pendant as well.

Thanks!

The FluidNC M5Dial Pendant looks like another neat solution!
And as it is already made to communicate via serial / G-code commands, it should probably be not that hard to adapt.
Most work should be needed for the part with the status display for coordinates etc.

IlI_Cnc

I'm waiting for parts and the pendant now, when they arrive and I'll try to get everything working and post if everything works fine.
Thanks for the help

IlI_Cnc

In case i want to connect with a IO port what should i do with the activation part?

Also, since in my board (Duet 3 6XD) seems to have a different panel due pinout what should i wire the usb to?

hurzhurz

@IlI_Cnc You actually have two ports on your board where a PanelDue can be connected, the 10-pin "PANEL DUE" connector and the 5-pin IO_0 connector.
Both share the same serial interface (that you can enable with M575 P1 B57600 S1).
The 10-pin connector is used if you want to use the SD card slot on the PanelDue.
https://docs.duet3d.com/en/User_manual/Connecting_hardware/Display_PanelDue

I would suggest using the IO_0 connector like shown in my wiring diagramm on GitHub.

ajmartins

Hi, just start to saying amazing project, and thanks for sharing ;), now one little problem... i tried to use continuous mode, but im getting some errors.

Error: Failed to read code from macro daemon.g: Failed to evaluate "global.run_daemon": unknown value 'global.run_daemon'

If i take that part, then i get another error when trying to use Continuous mode, another thing, how do i get the values to appear on the WHB04B-6?

Error: Failed to read code from macro pendant-continuous-run.g: Failed to evaluate "{exists(param.A)} && {exists(param.F)} && {exists(param.D)}": unknown value 'param.A'

Error: Failed to read code from macro pendant-continuous-loop.g: Failed to evaluate "global.pendant_continuous_ttl>0": unknown value 'global.pendant_conti'

hurzhurz

@ajmartins The errors look like these two lines might be missing in your config.g, can you check that?:

M98 P"pendant-continuous-init.g"
global run_daemon=true

Or you can run them manually in the console once for testing.

And about your other question, doesn't your WHB04B-6 show the coordinates on the LCD?
It should work automatically...

ajmartins

Yes, i added both lines to config.g, i tried manully running and i get the other error i sent.

If i run M98 P"pendant-continuous-init.g", the system just stalls and i need to reset the board.

Should i put both lines in the end of config file?

ajmartins

@ajmartins Well more tests, added both lines to the end of config file, and now at least i dont get any errors when restarting the board.

But when trying to make a continuous move, i still get the error:

Error: Failed to read code from macro pendant-continuous-run.g: Failed to evaluate "{exists(param.A)} && {exists(param.F)} && {exists(param.D)}": unknown value 'param.A'

hurzhurz

@ajmartins Which version of RepRapFirmware have you installed?
I'm wondering if the macro parameters or the exists() function for them is "too new".
On my machine I'm running 3.4.6. And from the changelog I guess that at least 3.3 could be required.

ajmartins

@hurzhurz Im running the same, 3.4.6.

hurzhurz

@ajmartins It looks like the Duet Software Framework (DSF) is version 3.4.6 (you are using the Duet together with a Raspberry Pi, I guess?), but the Firmware on the Duet is just 3.1.1

ajmartins

@hurzhurz Yes, you are right $:\$ since i dowloaded the PI image yesterday i suposed that was already with last version.

I will try again.

Thanks

ajmartins

Its now working perfectly

Thanks

hurzhurz

@ajmartins Great, happy to hear that!

Perplexed

@hurzhurz I want to thank you for the fantastic work you have done.

I started looking for a pendant solution for my CNC roughly a week ago and today I finished the build. Almost plug and play with the instructions you provided. Amazing to have a wireless pendant. Still surprises me that it works.

Only thing I had to figure out was where to put the macro folder. It should be in the systems directory and not the macros.

Total cost was 200€ for the six channel pendant and some spare raspberry picos, Panel USB and such. It worked first try and no smoke was produced during the build.

I’m truly grateful ️

hurzhurz

@Perplexed Thank you for the positive feedback! I'm glad it worked out well for you

Hopefully I will find some time to start working on this project again.
I did start to implement the use of a config file to make it more flexible, which I would like to get finished at some point...