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Recently I've taken up metal machining as a semi-serious hobby. Fully automated CNC machines don't entirely fit my use-cases but for a couple of them LinuxCNC

Recently I've taken up metal machining as a semi-serious hobby. Fully automated CNC machines don't entirely fit my use-cases but for a couple of them LinuxCNC works fine. The primary UI for LinuxCNC is a touchscreen and frankly it's a frustrating limitation. LCD Touchscreens are just not well suited for that sort of environment. Legit OEM CNC controls are better but honestly every time I use one I can't but feel like that by now we should have figured out something better. Something that is very robust and can stand up well in harsh environments. Something very easy to read, even for folks with poor vision. Something usable while wearing some sorts of thin(ish) gloves. But I've yet to find anything that would be better.

flowless 7y ago
LinuxCNC (at least Axis) can be controlled by keyboard - F1 is especially handy to stop the job in progress if anything goes wrong. Arrow keys can be used for jogging, with shift it uses max travel speeds but dedicated CNC pendant for jogging is on my TODO list as well as standalone DRO with 7 segment displays.
- Quequau 7y ago
  I absolutely hate using a standard computer keyboard to control a machine tool. It's all wrong. Or maybe it's more accurate to say that my mind is in completely the wrong mode of thought. Anyway it just doesn't jive. So far I've tried a few pendants, starting with a games controller, some kind of media production controller, and some off-shore low budget purpose made dedicated CNC pendant. The games controller was by far the most useable but it's made out of the wrong materials, made for childrens' hands, and doesn't have all the right mechanical inputs (I need a wheel). The media thing was unsatisfying but tantalising in some ways. I've been psyching myself up for a doing some sort of mostly faithful copy of legit OEM controllers I use from time to time, like Fanuc for example. Some years ago I used an old Maho that had a really nice wired pendant. It was really solid, had some heft to it, and my recollection is that failing one or two functions had every one might want in such a device. Also, I think you're right about wanting a standalone DRO with 7 segment LED displays. For a lot of jobs I find that a DRO hits the sweet spot with being easy to use, easy to read, and having the functions I need. My only real complaint is that I think I want one with a larger read out, so I can push it well out of the way and still see it properly.
asguy 7y ago
I’ve hooked up a PlayStation 3 controller to my LinuxCNC-based mill, and it’s become my primary working interface. I only use the keyboard when I’m editing config or loading code.
c-smile 7y ago
> can stand up well in harsh environments. As an anecdotal evidence... I was working with one team that was tasked to create device for work in harsh environment. Problem is that they cannot use even mechanical knobs there. Capacitive buttons were the only option. But the control panel can be dirty preventing normal operation. They came up with the smart idea - in order to start the device operator shall rub all control panels of the device so touching two adjacent buttons (by special scouring/cleaning pad) and in particular order.

flowless 7y ago

LinuxCNC (at least Axis) can be controlled by keyboard - F1 is especially handy to stop the job in progress if anything goes wrong. Arrow keys can be used for jogging, with shift it uses max travel speeds but dedicated CNC pendant for jogging is on my TODO list as well as standalone DRO with 7 segment displays.

Quequau 7y ago
I absolutely hate using a standard computer keyboard to control a machine tool. It's all wrong. Or maybe it's more accurate to say that my mind is in completely the wrong mode of thought. Anyway it just doesn't jive. So far I've tried a few pendants, starting with a games controller, some kind of media production controller, and some off-shore low budget purpose made dedicated CNC pendant. The games controller was by far the most useable but it's made out of the wrong materials, made for childrens' hands, and doesn't have all the right mechanical inputs (I need a wheel). The media thing was unsatisfying but tantalising in some ways. I've been psyching myself up for a doing some sort of mostly faithful copy of legit OEM controllers I use from time to time, like Fanuc for example. Some years ago I used an old Maho that had a really nice wired pendant. It was really solid, had some heft to it, and my recollection is that failing one or two functions had every one might want in such a device. Also, I think you're right about wanting a standalone DRO with 7 segment LED displays. For a lot of jobs I find that a DRO hits the sweet spot with being easy to use, easy to read, and having the functions I need. My only real complaint is that I think I want one with a larger read out, so I can push it well out of the way and still see it properly.

asguy 7y ago

I’ve hooked up a PlayStation 3 controller to my LinuxCNC-based mill, and it’s become my primary working interface. I only use the keyboard when I’m editing config or loading code.

c-smile 7y ago

> can stand up well in harsh environments. As an anecdotal evidence... I was working with one team that was tasked to create device for work in harsh environment. Problem is that they cannot use even mechanical knobs there. Capacitive buttons were the only option. But the control panel can be dirty preventing normal operation. They came up with the smart idea - in order to start the device operator shall rub all control panels of the device so touching two adjacent buttons (by special scouring/cleaning pad) and in particular order.