There are going to be lot of user preferences on the lathe screen since everyone works differently or has a different
variation of the basic lathe.
I have been using Phil's screen and it is much more user friendly and has some nice additions / changes that
were done. The current standard one sucks ( i am sorry, but once you use Phils screen and don't have to jump all
over the place you would understand what i mean ). Visual switch mode status , enlarged screen fly out on the
cycle / main screen, threading task / indication / and turn wizards with a click, additional buttons for jogging and
visual status, additioinal Axis DROs and coordinate status at a glance are just a few things that come to mind on Phil's screen.
So i am going to get a little long winded here and feel free to question for understanding
How would you have the screen?
- must be different at a glance that it is a lathe screen
- no "flashy" screen colors, what is important stands out or indicates in a non irritating way
- not like the current standard one, but tabbed screens like the mill
- step change the screens ( other than the main operating screen) such that it's it visualy guides you into
detailed setup via flyouts ( example; a single tabbed Setup screen would visualy show the lathe along with
coordinates, homing controlled point, offsets / tool table, at a high level. A click on a particular subject area invokes a
fly out with the associated particulars for data input. The whole intent would be to make it somewhat user intuitive
such that the big picture is grasped and work your way down to the associated detail.
- yep, include additional items from the mill screen
- tries to address the future ( like optional touch screen ), maybe some macro buttons, other / additional axis use)
What would you want on the pages?
- Phil's screen could be used as a good start for an operating screen to enhance and modify
- depends on some yet to be determined defined logic
- ability to use a rotary axis ( i think in the future, as cnc lathe users increase you will see things added to
the lathe to increase it's versatility....)
How many different pages?
- Operating screen, touch screen,setup screen, tool screen, diagnostics, advanced screen
( minimize the number of screens, but how manny will be what can be shown on the screen)
Similar to Mill layout or similar to the way the lathe screen is now or if neither what would you like?
- simular to Phils main screen and incorporating all relavant stuff from the mill to enhance
So a combination of both but different and better?
Now if we could all get together around a keg of lauger i am sure it could be rationalized out in one evening ....
RICH