CNC (Sort of) Pendant

[whydontu]

Here's my cheapo pendant for my 2.5-axis CNC engraver. I run a program called Estlcam, and it allows use of a regular keyboard or keypad as a control pendant. It's possible to map the keys to specific actions, so my first try was just a $5 Value Village numeric keypad that I pulled apart and engraved new logos on the keys. Proof of concept.

Keys look like crap, I just filled in the engravings with white paint and didn't spend much time making it pretty.

It works, so time to make one that's rugged enough to survive in the shop. Picked up another keyboard, this time one of those horrible roll-up keyboards, because I could see through the casing and could confirm how the key matrix connects to the keyboard encoder. The fingers on the matrix are 0.010" spacing, same as regular perfboard spacing. This meant I could unsolder the push-fit connector and solder in a terminal strip. Next step was to trace the key matrix and work out the row and column configuration for each key. Buy a bunch of pushbutton switches and wire them to the terminal strip, selecting suitable keys for the desired actions. Stick the whole mess into a decent-sized plastic cabinet, laser engrave a layout panel.

 

[Doggggboy]

76% speed ?

 

[whydontu]

76% speed ?

Prototypes don’t get much detail attention. Engraving is too deep, so the v-groove is too wide. Also not centered. It is a 5, just wonky.

 

[jcdammeyer]

It works, so time to make one that's rugged enough to survive in the shop. Picked up another keyboard, this time one of those horrible roll-up keyboards, because I could see through the casing and could confirm how the key matrix connects to the keyboard encoder. The fingers on the matrix are 0.010" spacing, same as regular perfboard spacing. This meant I could unsolder the push-fit connector and solder in a terminal strip. Next step was to trace the key matrix and work out the row and column configuration for each key. Buy a bunch of pushbutton switches and wire them to the terminal strip, selecting suitable keys for the desired actions. Stick the whole mess into a decent-sized plastic cabinet, laser engrave a layout panel.

View attachment 68391

I have one of those keyboards. Princess Auto right?

 

[slow-poke]

Well done.

I'm not a big fan of mouse clicks when operating a CNC machine (most of the time).

For both my mills I made a custom pushbutton type interface that allows basic usage with no need for the keyboard / mouse. I 3D printed most of the buttons.

For my small lathe I used programable key pads and just put stickers on the keys.

BTW I think I still have a spare Prehkey tek? POS programable keypad if anyone wants to go this route.

 

[whydontu]

I have one of those keyboards. Princess Auto right?

Even better, $6 at Value Village. Eventually, everything you want ends up at a VV.

 

[Dan Dubeau]

Whydontu, I like the 2nd box. The previous owner of my Tormach, made something similar, and if memory serves, used the same buttons. It had a small arduino in it, and I've never been able to actually get it working. The buttons are pretty nice, and I'd like to repurpose them if I ever get around to making my own. But then again, I'd be just as happy with a keypad like your prototype, even just for cycle smash and feed hold.

Feel free to delete my previous post twoards Gerrit if you want. My intention wasn't to take away from Whydontu's post, just highlight my interest in Gerrit's which was more applicable to my situation. I always enjoy posts like this as it's so far outside of my skillset, I find them interesting, and usually learn something. The more the better.

 

[Arbutus]

Other options for custom keyboards...
On the left and the PCB boards are for a 24 key custom mechanical keyboard that uses Kailh MX style keyswitches.

On the right is an Adafruit NeoKey keyboard which has blinkylights too. On this one I used transparent keycaps and inkjet printed symbols.

Both of these use any standard keyboard library or if you like the lighting effects, the Adafruit neo keyboard allows RGB response when the key is pressed. Some libraries also allow for multi-key presses (Shift-A) and repeat presses (AAAAAAA).

For the 24 key custom keyboard, I used an SX1509 MUX and I2C to connect to the Teensy4.1. The mux will handle up to 64 keys and it allows for a very versatile and easily programmed keyboard.




These keycaps were laser engraved and look very professional.

 

[slow-poke]

These keycaps were laser engraved and look very professional.
View attachment 68422

I really like the keycaps.

Did you laser engrave them, or is there a service that does it for you?

One other note, for anyone using LinuxCNC, some fellow put an Arduino keypad program on GitHub that meshes well with HAL.

 

[Arbutus]

Did you laser engrave them, or is there a service that does it for you?

They were marked with an XTool fiber laser via Inkscape. There was someone local setting up shop for laser marking but they wanted $100 setup then $ per piece, which was a bit much, so I worked with one of my grads who had purchased the XTool F1 20W machine.

The keycap plastic is typically ABS or Polycarbonate, and the laser settings are very sensitive (power, speed, passes) to produce a clear mark with high contrast without burning.

The 20W XTool also happily marks anodized aluminum and steel with the correct preparation.

 

[slow-poke]

They were marked with an XTool fiber laser via Inkscape. There was someone local setting up shop for laser marking but they wanted $100 setup then $ per piece, which was a bit much, so I worked with one of my grads who had purchased the XTool F1 20W machine.

The keycap plastic is typically ABS or Polycarbonate, and the laser settings are very sensitive (power, speed, passes) to produce a clear mark with high contrast without burning.

The 20W XTool also happily marks anodized aluminum and steel with the correct preparation.

well done