TouchKeypad
(c)2012 Martin Kennedy

BACKGROUND

I installed a touch screen monitor (from ELO) to display Mach3 on my mill, held by an adjustable arm (http://www.homemetalshopclub.org/news/11/presentation_monitor_arm.pdf).  It worked out of the box with all the screensets I tried.  I loved it!  The only problem I ran in to was that I sometimes needed to use a keyboard to input data.  I thought about installing a keyboard, a mini keyboard, a numeric keypad, and a wireless micro keyboard.  All of these would work, but seemed inelegant.  I tried Mach 3s built in calculator (Operator - AutoCalculator). I installed Click-N-Type (http://cnt.lakefolks.com/), a pop-up keyboard, and this worked OK but was a bit kludgy.  I  tried the Plugin Virtual Keyboard (http://www.kd-dietz.com/klausphp/pages/eng/machscreen/description/ms_description.html), but again, it didn't do some of the things I wanted to do. I decided to write an application that had all the functionality I wanted.

I started trying to develop a keypad within Mach3.  This proved difficult, if not impossible.  I moved to a standalone program, and eventually built just what I wanted.


TOUCHKEYPAD

TouchKeypad is an application designed to use with Mach3 and a touch screen monitor. It interacts with Mach3 by simulating mouse moves, mouse clicks, and keyboard input.  As such, it needs to know exactly where to click on your specific Mach3 screenset.

The default configuration is designed for use with my Probe.set screenset.

INSTALLATION

Copy the following files into your Mach3 directory.  Assuming the default Mach3 directory, they should be located in C:\Mach3\

	TouchKeypad.exe		Main Program
	TouchKeypad.ini		Setup information
	TouchKeypadReadMe.txt	This ReadMe file
	vdsrun50.dll		Run libraries
	
MACH3 CONFIGURATION

If used with my Probe.set screenset, there's no additional configuration required.  If you'd like to integrate with another screenset, you must add a button to invoke TouchKeypad.  Using a screenset editor such as Machscreen (http://www.kd-dietz.com/klausphp/pages/eng/machscreen/description/ms_description.html), add a button that executes the following Basic Script:

	
	Shell(".\TouchKeypad.exe")
	
TOUCHKEYPAD CONFIGURATION

If used with my Probe.set screenset, there's no additional configuration required.  If you use another screenset, you must tell TouchKeypad where on the screen to click for various functionality.  The TouchKeypad.ini files describes how to do this.

USING TOUCHKEYPAD

TouchKeypad can invoke various G-Code functions:

Reset X, Y, Z, or A DROs

	Typing X.25 will reset the X DRO to 0.25 inches
	Typing A180 will reset the A DRO to 180 degrees
	Note that these commands are not standard G-code
	
Set spindle speed

	Typing S1200 will set the spindle speed to 1200 RPM

Set feedrate

	Typing F2.5 will set the feedrate to 2.5 ipm
	
Set constant jog percentage

	Typing C4.2 will set the constant job feedrate to 4.2% of your maximum axis feedrate from your motor tuning
	Note that this command is not standard G-code
	This is especially useful if you have a pendant
	Note that nearly no screensets have this displayed on the default screen, so if you want to use this functionality, you'll have to add a Slow Jog % DRO (OEM Code 3)

Executing G-Code

	Single line G-codes can be input directly into TouchKeypad
	Typing G01 X1.75 will result in the mill moving in the X direction at the F feedrate to location 1.75 in.
	TouchKeypad remembers the last 8 G-Code commands issued.  Clicking on the History button displays these.
	
Happy Machining!

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

Machine tools are dangerous devices.  I don't make any claim of functionality for this program, and do not guarantee that it works as intended. It is possible that it may destroy mills, fixtures or parts.  It could result in a personal injury.  Test before use, and use at your own risk.
