BOB Control panel for CNC Router with 3 Axis Joystick Control

[pescadoman]

It would be great if Centroid listed compatible MPG's, or even sold them. I love the fact they keep coming out with new things, but feel at the same time they miss opportunities to help and make more money by selling options.

[RogDC]

Video posted on Youtube

[suntravel]

Thanks for the video, very cool

Reminds me of the Borg Queen

I wish analoge Joystick support would be built in...

Uwe

[RogDC]

I wish analoge Joystick support would be built in...

Uwe

Thanks.

After working with adding the analog joystick over the past few months with the RPi and Arduino, I don't think analog joystick control could be incorporated within the current USB-BOB board design without significant effort. Additional circuitry and program logic would need to be added.

If there is enough interest I could have circuit boards made and program the micro-controllers to make it easy to add between the analog joystick and MPG inputs. Then it would just be a matter of wiring up the analog joystick to the board, then add wires between the daughter board terminals and USB-BOB terminals.

[centroid467]

Significant effort is correct. The RP Pico I/O is pretty much all utilized. I'd have to redesign the boards to add an ADC (as the RP2040's internal ADC is not so great) and free up some pins for the communications. Then, the communications protocol will need to be modified and CNC12 will also need changes to accommodate.

It may happen eventually but it isn't on the list of current project priorities.

[suntravel]

Significant effort is correct. The RP Pico I/O is pretty much all utilized. I'd have to redesign the boards to add an ADC (as the RP2040's internal ADC is not so great) and free up some pins for the communications. Then, the communications protocol will need to be modified and CNC12 will also need changes to accommodate.

It may happen eventually but it isn't on the list of current project priorities.

I thought about an addon board that connects to the encoder inputs of the BOB

Then there is nothing to change on the BOB or PLC

Uwe

[RogDC]

I'll check into what a small batch of interface boards would run.

There are a few parameters for the analog joystick which may need to be configured in the micro-processor based on application.

• The dead-zone - center range of joystick movement which will produce no movement - this would likely be more user preference. I have mine set fairly wide. Others may prefer it with less 'forgiveness'

• Pulse Rate - maximum quadrature pulse rate - this may be a different parameter on a mill or lathe than what produces good results on a router. More ground to cover on a router.

[cnckeith]

It would be great if Centroid listed compatible MPG's, or even sold them. I love the fact they keep coming out with new things, but feel at the same time they miss opportunities to help and make more money by selling options.

thanks.. this is what happens....if we buy a $19 MPG wheel we have to sell it for more just to buy, stock, handle, warranty, service and support it, not to mention actually make any money, when we do that then we get "called out" for being the highway robbers that we are reselling a commodity item for more than what you can just buy it on on Amazon for. so no, not a missed opportunity