Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: HimyKabibble on October 12, 2008, 01:38:59 PM

Title: USB "Pendants"
Post by: HimyKabibble on October 12, 2008, 01:38:59 PM
Has anyone used one of these: 

http://www.contourdesign.com/shuttlepro/
http://www.contourdesign.com/shuttlepro/shuttlexpress.htm

as a pendant for Mach?  Seems to me it would work nicely, and the configuration software appears to be very flexible, especially in allowing a single button to cycle through a list of operations so, for example, one button could be used to cycle through a list of jog step sizes or rates.  Seems to me the jog/shuttle wheels would also make a pretty nice way of jogging, albeit on only one axis at a time.

Regards,
Ray L.
Title: Re: USB "Pendants"
Post by: budman68 on October 12, 2008, 01:57:49 PM
Hi Ray,

There's already a plugin for this and I use one and love it. You're not supposed to load the Contour software though as it somehow messes with the Mach 3 plugin. This is available for download in the Mach 3 plugin downloads area in the menus at the top of the page.

You can see mine here:

http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,7020.0.html

Dave

EDIT: also wanted to add that I've drilled and tapped the center aluminum wheel to accept a brass swivel handle so that it feels like an MPG.  :)

Title: Re: USB "Pendants"
Post by: HimyKabibble on October 12, 2008, 02:36:48 PM
Dave,

    Cool!  How long is the cord?

Regards,
Ray L.
Title: Re: USB "Pendants"
Post by: budman68 on October 12, 2008, 02:42:49 PM
Ummm...lol, I'll have to get back to you on that - I do know you can use an extension on these with no issues but I'll get back to you shortly-

Dave
Title: Re: USB "Pendants"
Post by: budman68 on October 12, 2008, 02:59:53 PM
That would be 6' long, my friend-  :)

Dave
Title: Re: USB "Pendants"
Post by: HimyKabibble on October 12, 2008, 03:07:12 PM
Dave,

    Thanks!

Regards,
Ray L.
Title: Re: USB "Pendants"
Post by: Vogavt on October 12, 2008, 04:00:32 PM
Look at the Fang Game Pad. I absolutely love mine!

http://www.ideazon.com/us/products/fanggamepad.asp


http://www.sureneeds.com/fang.html  $26.99
Title: Re: USB "Pendants"
Post by: HimyKabibble on October 12, 2008, 05:27:43 PM
Look at the Fang Game Pad. I absolutely love mine!

http://www.ideazon.com/us/products/fanggamepad.asp


http://www.sureneeds.com/fang.html $26.99

Were you able to interface it the way you wanted using only the utilities than came with it, or Mach macros, or both?

Regards,
Ray L.
Title: Re: USB "Pendants"
Post by: Vogavt on October 13, 2008, 09:43:47 PM
This thing in very configurable. You can setup any of the buttons to any keystroke you want. It will also handle combinations of keystrokes.  I've not played with the macros in Mach but if you can call a keystroke (or a combination) to invoke a macro, then this will handle it.

The utility that comes with it allows you to print out the modified configuration for whatever software you're using. It's also smart enough to know you're running Mach and to set itself up accordingly once you've launch Mach.

Amazing really.  Not sure why no one's pointed this one out before for use as a pendant.  Sometimes we humans take the hard approach, but not with this item. It's really easy to setup.

I've had mine for a while now and have never had any issues with it.

Includes an ample six foot cord.
Title: Re: USB "Pendants"
Post by: Chaoticone on October 13, 2008, 10:16:19 PM
Vogvat, I have something similar. The drawback with it is that windows sees it as a keyboard. I dropped it after I figured that out because i would still need my standard keyboard to edit code and enter values. With some imagination you may be able to get all the functionality you need out of it. Let us know how it goes if you persue it.

Brett
Title: Re: USB "Pendants"
Post by: HimyKabibble on October 14, 2008, 12:35:08 AM
Vogvat, I have something similar. The drawback with it is that windows sees it as a keyboard. I dropped it after I figured that out because i would still need my standard keyboard to edit code and enter values. With some imagination you may be able to get all the functionality you need out of it. Let us know how it goes if you persue it.

Brett

Brett,

    You can use this *and* a full keyboard, they're not mutually exclusive.  Windows is perfectly happy having multiple keyboard devices.

Regards,
Ray L.
Title: Re: USB "Pendants"
Post by: Chaoticone on October 14, 2008, 07:14:47 AM
Quote
Brett,

    You can use this *and* a full keyboard, they're not mutually exclusive.  Windows is perfectly happy having multiple keyboard devices.

I don't think Mach will be as happy about it as Windows but I could be wrong. Let us know how it goes.

Brett
Title: Re: USB "Pendants"
Post by: Vogavt on October 14, 2008, 06:13:15 PM
Vogvat, I have something similar. The drawback with it is that windows sees it as a keyboard. I dropped it after I figured that out because i would still need my standard keyboard to edit code and enter values. With some imagination you may be able to get all the functionality you need out of it. Let us know how it goes if you persue it.

Brett

Mine work flawlessly side by side. My keyboard is a legacy model, not a usb version. Maybe that's why they are both fully functional.
Title: Re: USB "Pendants"
Post by: Chaoticone on October 14, 2008, 06:16:43 PM
That may well be the answer.... good idea. I'll have to dig mine back out sometime.

Brett
Title: Re: USB "Pendants"
Post by: HimyKabibble on October 14, 2008, 06:25:54 PM
How would Mach know or care if there are multipled HID devices?  Isn't it getin HID input through Windows?

Regards,
Ray L.
Title: Re: USB "Pendants"
Post by: scudzuki on October 15, 2008, 11:53:32 PM
Agreed, the USB pendant I have just emulates keyboard input. I can simultaneously control 2 axes, one from the keyboard and one from the pendant. As it turn out, my k/b is PS/2 but I'm sure it would work just as well with 2 USB input devices.
Joe