Centroid Community CNC Support Forum

Thank you for the info.

I had hope that the joystick could also control axis speed with a potentiometer like this one:

https://docs.rs-online.com/812a/0900766b81586d6e.pdf

Uwe

suntravel wrote: ↑Thu Feb 29, 2024 10:37 am What type of joystick will work to move the axes, and could it move diagonal ?

Uwe

in general, most anything possible with the VCP should be possible with USB-BOB.

The Wizard will support the common stuff and then the PLC is always there for any custom USB-BOB input definitions

suntravel wrote: ↑Thu Feb 29, 2024 3:21 pm Thank you for the info.

I had hope that the joystick could also control axis speed with a potentiometer like this one:

https://docs.rs-online.com/812a/0900766b81586d6e.pdf

Uwe

Hi Uwe,
Unfortunately, USBBOB does not currently have any analog inputs for that. I could add two of those with the current resources on the board but there would be a lot involved getting that through to the software side. Any of the controllers with an analog expansion board should be able to do that although you'll have to work out the PLC logic.

A two handed alternative is joystick with switches and a hand on the feed rate override knob to control jog speed on the fly.

So your saying that the joystick need to just be simple mechanical "switches", yes? So this means my idea of using my 3 axis, analog joystick is not going work. I had high hope for this.

ShawnM wrote: ↑Thu Feb 29, 2024 4:41 pm So your saying that the joystick need to just be simple mechanical "switches", yes? So this means my idea of using my 3 axis, analog joystick is not going work. I had high hope for this.

analog cnc joy stick? never seen one on a CNC, all the ones i've opened up are just switches inside.

cnckeith wrote: ↑Thu Feb 29, 2024 6:22 pm

ShawnM wrote: ↑Thu Feb 29, 2024 4:41 pm So your saying that the joystick need to just be simple mechanical "switches", yes? So this means my idea of using my 3 axis, analog joystick is not going work. I had high hope for this.

analog cnc joy stick? never seen one on a CNC, all the ones i've opened up are just switches inside.

I have several left over from my old job and I was thinking of a possibility where using and analog joystick you could even vary the speed of the axis with more or less deflection of the joystick. Similar to the circuit for the feedrate pot. This would require more programming and circuitry I'm sure and certainly not worth it.

It was wishful thinking on my part with it being a 3 axis joystick I could control X, Y and Z. Just boring old switches huh?

.....As he eyeballs the old Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback on the shelf of misfit computer paraphernalia, wondering what lies within....

I'm familiar with the resistive types too; I have a Thrustmaster HOTAS on a shelf somewhere. I would be a little worried about using it for running a CNC machine that isn't in a home shop. Depending on the sensitivity, I could see unexpected motion happening if the operator gets jostled or startled.

Well any RC controlled plane, car ect. is working with resistive Joysticks, as do lots of industrial machines, drive by wire in racing.

Even in hydraulics with proportional valves like on any fork lifter.

It is a more natural control than just on/off, what could be done with 4 momentary switches also.

Uwe

Sword wrote: ↑Thu Feb 29, 2024 10:08 pm .....As he eyeballs the old Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback on the shelf of misfit computer paraphernalia, wondering what lies within....

Yeah, CNC joystick with force feedback punishing operator's hands if he crashes the machine

Uwe