Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: Bertho on May 28, 2007, 05:24:31 PM

Title: Proportional control Joystick
Post by: Bertho on May 28, 2007, 05:24:31 PM

I have been reading many posts about "Keygrabber" and joysticks but it appears that none of them applies to
a proportional analog joystick.  I like the jog speed to be controlled by the force/movement of the joystick, not just go or stop.

The Mod-IO board has three analog inputs but I have not seen it used with analog joysticks.  Is the proportional speed control available and how is used?

If not available, it would not be too difficult to use an analog joystick to generate a variable rate pulse train and feed it to the MPG input.

Comments? Suggestions?
Thanks in Advance,
Bertho

Title: Re: Proportional control Joystick
Post by: Brian Barker on May 28, 2007, 10:51:26 PM

It will do proportional if you use a joystick that is  proportional... it will not work with keygrabber.

Title: Re: Proportional control Joystick
Post by: Bertho on May 28, 2007, 11:43:42 PM

Thanks,
That is great!
Any suggested brands & models?

Title: Re: Proportional control Joystick
Post by: Chaoticone on May 29, 2007, 01:55:25 AM

Bertho, check out this thread. The joysticks are analog, the further you push, the faster they go. The are also used for step, slow rate, rapid rate, inc. and the size of increment.

http://www.artsoftcontrols.com/forum/index.php?topic=1391.0

Brett

Title: Re: Proportional control Joystick
Post by: Brian Barker on May 29, 2007, 08:43:11 AM

any that work in windows will work :)

Title: Re: Proportional control Joystick
Post by: Bertho on May 29, 2007, 09:21:58 AM

Thanks Brian & Brett,
I saw the Keygrabber post several times but was always under the impression that it substituted
keyboard shorts, not giving proportional control.  I am off to the store to buy joysticks. 
I also ordered the ModIO so I can attach MPGs and get extra I-O functions. 
This is a great program and forum!

Bertho

Title: Re: Proportional control Joystick
Post by: Chaoticone on May 29, 2007, 10:59:23 AM

True that.  ;D

Title: Re: Proportional control Joystick
Post by: Leeway on May 30, 2007, 09:02:54 AM

I hooked up a PS2 contoller. The joystick parts run the axes okay and from very slow creep to full jog depending on the pressure.
I won't be using it though. They are so sensitive that I had one stick in the full jog mode when I let go of the stick. A slight bump stopped it, but not a good situation. I may just not have it calibrated enough. There is a screen for that in the control panel. I think I would just rather use a keypad or a number pad. I have a USB number pad that works great. It's full speed at key press, but at least when I let it go, the axis stops.  :D

Title: Re: Proportional control Joystick
Post by: Chaoticone on May 30, 2007, 10:46:58 AM

I will have to agree with lee on them being touchy. There are a few things you can do to help that as well but even at best, its no MPG, but for 15 bucks, very nice and funcitional.


Brett

Title: Re: Proportional control Joystick
Post by: krisverheyen on June 08, 2007, 10:56:39 AM

Hello Bertho,

Did you have any succes on using analog inputs for jogging (i.e.: analog joystick connected via modbus)
I'm facing the same problem.

Thank you,
Kris.

Title: Re: Proportional control Joystick
Post by: Bertho on June 08, 2007, 05:33:04 PM

Kris,
I bought a USB joystick but I have not had time to hook it up yet.  I am still busy with home & limit switches and adding a real E-stop.
Unfortunately, work is interfering with my hobbies.  Hopefully I get a chance to test it over the weekend.  My Mod I-O board also arrived yesterday.
So many toys- so little time!
Bertho

Title: Re: Proportional control Joystick
Post by: krisverheyen on June 11, 2007, 08:47:42 AM

Ok, hope to here from you.
Thanks anyway,
Kris