Beautiful machines you got there. You are absolutely right, using handwheels are much faster for some operations. Can be done with a pendant like you mention but still requires a level of programming, as you still will need to set the feedrate or adjust the mode so the axis moves how you envision it.tblough wrote: ↑Wed Dec 06, 2023 2:28 pmThis is easily handled with an AllIn1DC or Oak and servos - no additional encoders needed. Just push a button on the operator interface to disable the motors and you can crank the handles all you want with the same manual feedback of the original machine.automatedingenuities wrote: ↑Wed Dec 06, 2023 11:37 am That often makes things difficult. You may have to use linear encoders so the motors can track the positions, and you would have to disengage the motors to move the machines manually. Some steppers motors have dual shafts so you can drive the motors with a handwheel, but the motor would still be required to be disengaged and unless the motors have built in encoders you will have to add some.
What alot of people do instead is they use conversational programming or use a pendant. You can think of CNC like power feeds on all axis of a milling machine, the CNC ability makes it much easier and accurate, plus you effectively have the DRO for the positions.
In my opinion it would be worth it to learn conversational programming for the simple jobs or use a pendant or even learn a bit of gcode so you can make the machine do what you want versus keeping the hand and jog wheels.
While I agree that everyone should learn G-Code and Intercon, MANY things are much faster with manual operations. I challenge anyone to face off a saw cut end on a piece of stock using g-Code, Intercon, or pendant faster than I can do it using the handwheels on my machine.
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Yes definitely doable with allin1dc or oak, and I should have mentioned that.
The unfortunate thing is somewhere it's tradeoffs. Typically linear rails machines don't have handwheel control, dovetails machine are slower and don't do 3d machining as well...