Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: WoodyCam on February 20, 2009, 12:52:12 PM
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Dear All, I'm getting really bothered by swarf in the keyboard and mouse with my CNC lathe setup (ORAC + MACH3).
Its shielded but the sharp, springy and keyboard-deadly stuff gets everywhere. I even had an unexpected event (i.e. crash :'() when a bit of swarf lodged in the side of the jog key and held it down!!
I just wondered what the more established users do to solve this problem. ;D
I'm thinking vertical keyboard with integrated roller ball - but I expect its uncomfortable to use?
Any pics, advice and suggested products greatly appreciated!
Thanks, Woody.
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Buy a sealed, industrial keyboard. They show up on E-Bay periodically. Mine was $40, and is liquid-tight, so totally oblivious to chips, coollant, oil, etc. For the mouse, get an optical mouse, so no little ball to clog up. A trackball will still be subject to chips getting into it. Or, you can use a joystick, trackpad, etc.
Regards,
Ray L.
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I've been needing a swarf-proof keyboard myself. I was going to try a silicone one. Obviously, they wouldn't hold up to hot chips, but that wouldn't be a concern to me. It would be easy enough to make a solid platform for them. For 10-15 bucks shipped, I may try one.
http://computers.shop.ebay.com/items/Flexible__W0QQ_sacatZ158842 (http://computers.shop.ebay.com/items/Flexible__W0QQ_sacatZ158842)
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I've been needing a swarf-proof keyboard myself. I was going to try a silicone one. Obviously, they wouldn't hold up to hot chips, but that wouldn't be a concern to me. It would be easy enough to make a solid platform for them. For 10-15 bucks shipped, I may try one.
http://computers.shop.ebay.com/items/Flexible__W0QQ_sacatZ158842 (http://computers.shop.ebay.com/items/Flexible__W0QQ_sacatZ158842)
Sam,
Those things work, but the feel is HORRENDOUS! Maybe OK for pushing the occassional key to control the machine, but typing, even a little bit, on one is just awful. You're much better off waiting for a decent industrial sealed keyboard to come up on E-Bay. They come around quite often, and are usually $40-60.
Regards,
Ray L.
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I use the silicone style keyboard on my lathe and although the feel of them is not great I dont find it that bad. However I dont use the keyboard that much, I will do small edits to the code at the lathe but anything more and I will use the desktop computer.
I have a Storm Keyboard and trackball to fit to the lathe at some point, both are IP65 and have a very nice feel. At the moment I use a touch pad on both the Bridgeport and the lathe and also they have touch screens, no way I would have a mouse but thats just a personal thing.
Hood
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I bought one of those silly silicon roll up keyboards and it works great for the purpose.
As HimyKabibble states, It's not something you want to do a lot of typing on ;) , but like Hood, I do 99% of my work on a separte (and powerful) desktop machine and just shoot the finished G-code to the machine tool, so I don't care how weird the keyboard feels, so long as it survives tha chips and oil.
So far so good.
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i use this one, it is not cheap but has integrated mouse and is strong and washable
http://www.ruggedtech.com/symcod.html
if you don't need the integrated mouse i think the 9.00$ flexible keyboard will do the job fine
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Dear All,
i crushed my keyboard yesterday, most probably while blowing out the swarf using compressed air :)
i got a new one for myself and it has PS/2 connector.
The problem is while my cnc router running , the keyboard sends charecters to the PC randomly. It was forcing my PC to go standby or jog or open other windows applications.
And most supricing, i found my motor output pin configuration changed to port 1 to port 2.
I used my cnc keyboard pluged off while running motors last night and it worked.
I ll get a USB keyboard soon, i hope its all about with PS/2 connectors.
Did you have any problem such that?
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gyurudogru
Can you attach your xml please.
Hood
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Those things work, but the feel is HORRENDOUS!
Maybe OK for pushing the occassional key to control the machine, but typing, even a little bit, on one is just awful.
Been using a silicone keyboard for years. Can't imagine using anything else. $10 chicken feed.
Only control a machine with it, not writing a novel. ;)
Greg
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I guess I should reply to my original post. I went with the silicone keyboard. Its OK and I've had no swarf problems since. BUT, the feel is terrible (the one I have anyway) and so jogging can be hit and miss sometimes. The keys need a lot of pressure to be sure to bite. Occasionally I put the original keyboard back just for the feel of it, but its not suitable when there is heavy swarf production going on.
Must get an MPG rigged up for the mill - its on the list. Works great on the lathe.
I've tried USB and PS/2, not have any issues with either.
Only thing I've not got to work is a separate numerical keypad. Ok for very short jogs but on long key presses for long distance jog, some kind of auto repeat interupts the jogging. Not figured that out yet.
Optical mouse seems to have survived so far.
Thanks all for your advice. Woody.
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I now have stainless IP67 rated keyboards with trackballs on all my machines, they are the dogs danglers :) Only downside is they are not cheap, well unless you get eBay bargains ;)
Hood
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Now that is cool! Yeh, I did look out for those, there is one on eBay now for £425... I guess you have to be lucky and persistant.
Hood, any chance you can share your Lathe Screen set pls? ;)
Thanks, Woody.
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I got mine for £12 when the guy made a balls up listing it, he honoured the deal which I was surprised at then I bought the others he had (15 if I recall) for £45 each, kept a couple for myself and sold the rest to members here, they went quick ;D
I can give you my new lathe screen but it wont be much use for you unless you modify it. Most of my buttons on the screen are VB buttons and are specific to my machine. I have base buttons still in photoshops format (psd) so that text etc can be edited easily for making new buttons up so wouldnt be too hard if you didnt mind messing around with it.
Have not finished it yet, probably never will knowing me but heres what its like, as you can see most things are on the main page and the other pages are fairly bare. Let me know if you want it and I will gather up all the buttons and the .lset for you to mess with.
Hood
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Hood, that would be great when you have a moment. I've not messed with screens, but looks like you are giving me the motivation!
The std Turn screens seem to take a lot of clicking around to get set up and turning. Never quite worked out why they separated manual and auto operation...
Thanks!
Woody.
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Ok here it is, you will need to place the HoodsButtons folder into the Bitmaps folder in Mach3 folder and place the screenset into the Mach3 folder.
There is quite a lot in there that is related to other screens I have done through time but I think most for this screen are in the new folder but the psd ones I think are in the HoodsButtons main folder.
Regards the standard turn screenset, never been a fan of it myself I am afraid, have never actually used t though as I modified my Mill set the first day I got the lathe running. Maybe with using the standard screen it would have made more sense but sounds like you didnt find that.
Hood
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Dear Hood
i m not sure i know what xml is ..
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It is the configuration file for the profile you use. For example if you use the standard mill profile it will be called Mach3Mill.xml and will be found in the main Mach3 folder (not in the xmlbackup folder)
If you use a custom profile it will have the name of your custom profile.
You will need to copy it to your desktop and rename for the forum to accept, suggest you rename to gyurudogru.xml
To attach you use the additional options button on the reply page.
Hood
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oppss,
i m not at the workshop :-\ i was about to post you the xml wich is in my notebook huh
i ll need to copy it tomarrow.
thanks alot